Boeing and China National Aero Technology Import and Export (CATIC) have reached an outline work-share agreement to co-produce the Boeing 234-100 Chinook helicopter, but are still looking for sufficient orders to launch the programme.
The two sides have broadly agreed to split production of the civil heavy-lift helicopter equally. Under the deal being discussed, Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing (HAMC) would be responsible for final assembly and production of one of the helicopter's three main-fuselage sub-assemblies at its plant in northern China. Boeing would supply the remaining two fuselage sections, rotors and drive train. The Chinook's twin AlliedSignal AL5521 turbo-shaft engines and the avionics would continue to be supplied from the USA.
Talks are continuing on the cost of transferring production tooling from Boeing's Philadelphia factory, and the helicopter's sale price.
A critical issue still be resolved is that of attracting enough orders to make the programme viable. Officials want to be confident of producing about 50 helicopters over five years, with a minimum of ten initial orders required to launch the programme.
Boeing is understood to be targeting Chinese and international commercial operators, each with a requirement for two to three aircraft. The 234 is offered as an industrial heavy-lift machine and as a shuttle passenger helicopter. A US Government arms embargo precludes Chinook sales to the Chinese military.
Negotiations between Boeing and China have been under way for more than a year. Co-production talks centred initially on the civil 234 version of the CH-47C, but have more recently switched to the newer, -100, variant.
HAMC plans to deliver its first pre-production EC120 fuselage ship set to Eurocopter France in March. The 1.5t-class machine is being developed by Eurocopter, CATIC and Singapore Technologies Aerospace. China has a 24% stake in the programme.
Source: Flight International
