The US Army has moderate plans for future upgrades to its fleet of CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopters as aviation officials believe the fleet is well positioned for the near future and other elements of the branch require more atten tion. Major General Tim Crosby, the army's Program Executive Officer for Aviation, said the Chinook fleet and efforts to modernise it are in good shape and that as far as buying new helicopters is concerned the "best bang for the buck" would be in replacements for the attack and utility fleets. Continued upgrades could be necessary for the CH-47 fleet and new cargo platforms may be a long-term pursuit, since the service is likely to be investing in platforms for the attack and utility roles, which constitute about 70 per cent of army aviation, Gen Crosby told reporters during a 21 September ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Chinook's first flight. The ceremony also marked the opening of Boeing's new production facility for the aircraft in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania.
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