Based on the contract value, the sum may correspond to roughly six additional helicopters, which would bring the total number of contracted MH-47G Block II aircraft close to 60. The Department of War plans to modernise the entire MH-47G fleet used by USSOCOM to the Block II standard by the end of the first half of the 2030s.
Most helicopters for US special operations forces are created through extensive rebuilding and modernisation of earlier MH-47 variants. Boeing is also conducting limited production of new build MH-47G Block II aircraft to meet the growing tactical needs of USSOCOM.
The Block II version aims to lower operating costs through reduced maintenance requirements, achieved by updated structural solutions. Boeing is also developing new rotor blade sets that are expected to improve operational capability, with calculations indicating an increase in lift of about 300 kilograms in hot and high environments.
Block II is designed to support long term development of the platform so it can operate for years alongside new generation aircraft. This includes the V-280 Valor as well as the UH-60M Black Hawk, which is already in service.
