Boeing’s Ridley Park helicopter plant has received a contract valued up to $793 million to build the final CH-47F Block I Chinooks with a potential $8 billion order to build dozens of upgraded Block II Chinook aircraft, writes Emma Dooling for Philadelphia Business Journal.

Boeing’s Ridley plant employs more than 4,000 people.

The Block I Chinook contract is for 18 heavy-lift helicopters for South Korea and one for Spain.

“The CH-47F Block I Chinook continues to be the preeminent heavy-lift helicopter in the world for good reason,” stated Boeing Vertical Lift’s H-47 vice president Heather McBryan.

The new Block II Chinook moved to its last stage of production in March. The model has more cargo capacity, a redesigned fuel tank, and a sturdier fuselage.

Boeing has a U.S. Army contract for six Block II aircraft.

Another 36 are under contract with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and 14 with the United Kingdom.

Boeing is looking to secure two more U.S. Army contracts totaling $200 million in September to expand the program at Ridley.

It’s also expected to be awarded an $8 billion contract by the U.S. government for the sale of 60 Bock II Chinooks to Germany.

Read more about Boeing’s production of Chinook aircraft at Philadelphia Business Journal.