During the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) conference, scheduled for April 15–18, 2026, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, Boeing presented new capabilities for the latest production version of the CH-47F Block II heavy transport helicopter.
Autonomous Flights
Lifting the future of Chinook Block II.
We’re working on new #Chinook autonomous capabilities that will give operators the flexibility to tailor crew size to the mission.
Take a look at what’s possible.👇 #26Summit pic.twitter.com/T0BawO21tO
— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) April 16, 2026
Using its proprietary Approach-to-X (A2X) software, Boeing presented CGI footage showing transport and support mission scenarios in which autonomy makes it possible to adapt helicopter crew size to operational requirements – from a full crew, through a reduced crew, such as a single pilot, to flight modes with no crew in the cockpit during selected phases (“uncrew selected/uncrew enabled”). The footage shows, among other things, an autonomous takeoff, extraction of a ground team, a pinnacle landing, and special operations. Autonomy for Chinook helicopters was first reported on May 14, 2025.
It is known that since January this year, the U.S. Army, in cooperation with Boeing, has already conducted more than 150 automated approaches with position accuracy of less than 1.5 m (5 ft). Thanks to A2X software, the helicopter can be controlled via tablet by an external operator, while a pilot who boards the aircraft can seamlessly take control of it in another scenario.
The U.S. Army is currently working to field optionally crewed UH-60MX Black Hawk multirole helicopters, fully integrated with the Sikorsky MATRIX autonomy system, while the company is promoting the fully unmanned S-70UAS U-Hawk.
Swarms of drones
Same two rotors. More capability.
We're pushing Chinook Block II even further.#26Summit pic.twitter.com/FK2zandPmx
— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) April 14, 2026
The second capability Boeing is promoting for the CH-47F Chinook Block II is the ability to carry palletized launchers for unmanned systems of various types in the ALE (Air-Launched Effects) class inside its cargo bay. The U.S. Army is pursuing the integration of such systems with the aforementioned UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, but on weapons pylons mounted under removable wings.
In this case, field tests of the solution have not yet been conducted, but one candidate for testing could be the ALTIUS-700M loitering munition, produced by Anduril Industries, which in February was launched conventionally from under the wings of an AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter.
Due to its payload capacity and cargo cabin space, the Chinook could carry a significantly larger number of effectors in a single flight than the Black Hawk or Apache can carry under their wings. This resembles the concept behind the Rapid Dragon program, in which palletized cruise missiles are carried in the cargo bay of a transport aircraft.
Interestingly, there are reports that MH-47G Chinook special operations support helicopters belonging to the U.S. Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), the Night Stalkers, are already using ALE-class systems, although this has not been officially confirmed. The U.S. Army reportedly used kamikaze drones during a military operation in Caracas at the beginning of the year.
WATCH: Multiple videos show drones being used during the U.S. operation in Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/Ef4BLtaKIb
— Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) January 5, 2026
Meanwhile, it was reported the day before yesterday that the U.S. Army had ordered another batch of CH-47 Chinook Block II helicopters. To date, the latest Chinooks have also been ordered by the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany. In addition, Egypt and South Korea have ordered the helicopters in the Block I version. The latest Chinook is currently also being offered in Poland, and the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces has expressed hope of acquiring heavy-lift helicopters, as reported on February 27 this year.
Thank you, @USArmy, for ordering six more CH‑47F Block II #Chinook helicopters — 24 now under contract.
Block II significantly enhances lift, mission range and sustainment, making it the Army's most modern and capable heavy-lift aircraft.
More: https://t.co/qtJ3q24V2Q #26Summit pic.twitter.com/QftB3WaiBh
— Boeing Defense (@BoeingDefense) April 15, 2026