Boeing and AgustaWestland (Booth No. 529) have signed a memorandum of understanding for joint work on the next-generation Chinook for the Italian Army. The deal could lead to similar joint opportunities in the future.

The agreement between Boeing’s Integrated Defense Systems’ rotorcraft division and AgustaWestland calls for the companies to team on marketing and development of the CH-47F to replace the current Italian Army Chinook fleet, a contract for which the companies are bidding jointly.

The companies have also agreed that for future projects in Italy and the UK, AgustaWestland will serve as the prime contractor and Boeing the exclusive prime subcontractor.

“This MOU continues our long-standing relationship with AgustaWestland and provides us the architecture to offer the next generation CH-47F to the Italian Army as a replacement for their current CH-47C aircraft,” said Michael Tkach, v-p and general manager of Boeing’s rotorcraft division. The Italian Army fleet of Chinooks is used for peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, disaster relief and firefighting.