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Boeing Helicopters
One division of the massive Boeing Integrated Defense System is Boeing Helicopters. Originally named Boeing Vertol (an abbreviation for - Vertical takeoff and landing) the company made the infamous CH-46 Sea Knight and the CH-47 Chinook helicopters. During the 1960's the U.S Marine Corps and the U.S Navy purchased and flew the CH-47A Chinook, saw the development of the CH-46A Chinook and the UH-46A Sea Knight. While the Vietnam War continued one of these rotorcraft helicopters were being produced daily by 14000 employees. Also attributed are the Boeing Vertol 107-11, CH-113 Labrador, Boeing Model 234 Commercial Chinook, Boeing Model 360 Chinook, joint owner (with Bell Helicopter Textron) of the V-22 Osprey, AH-64 Apache, the Boeing Vertol YUH-61 and finally the Boeing Vertol XCH-62 helicopters. In 1979 the first CH-47D Chinook had been completed and flew. These helicopters were purchased under contract by the U.S Army to update the aging Chinook fleet already owned. The Chinook Helicopter is one very versatile aircraft. Not only is it used for troop transport but is also used for paratroopers, army supplies and as it is equipped with three carrying hooks the Chinook also performs heavy cargo lifts and transport as well. Today this excellent helicopter is still used as a military aircraft as well as commercially for adventure tours and joy rides.
Throughout the 1980's Boeing went through several reorganisations to prepare itself for the future.
Boeing Vertol changed it's name to Boeing Helicopters Company then Boeing Helicopters Division and then Boeing Defense & Space Group, Helicopters Division. Boeing together with Bell Helicopters won a development contract from the U.S Navy to develop a tiltrotor aircraft. The result was the V-22 Osprey which first flew in 1989. In 1991 Boeing together with Sikorsky Helicopters won the contract to build the RAH-66 Commanche which first flew in 1996. On top of this Boeing produced the MH-47E Special Operations Chinook the first of which was supplied in 1993. Ten more of these aircraft were made and delivered. In 1997 Boeing completed the merger with McDonnell Douglas and became The Boeing Company in Philadelphia and then Boeing Rotorcraft Systems in Philadelphia in 2002 with the overall name change to Boeing Integrated Defence Systems.
Customer satisfaction of the end result product was no longer there. Prices were way too high and the quality was lacking. Boeing was set to lose it's two biggest customers - the U.S Army and the U.S Marine Corps. Immediately the employees set their minds to making all the necessary improvements in their own sections in regard to quality, time and costs. Today other companies who are struggling come to Boeing Helicopters Division to learn how the transformation took place within the industry. Boeing is now set to manufacture 48 V-22 Ospreys per annum and continue the CH-47F modernization program with 500 helicopters right through to 2030. The employees attitude to the company will see it continue to lead well into the future as they commit to future avionics and the war against terrorism.
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1999 saw the beginning of a major shake-up in the Helicopters Division.
