Covid-19: Boeing resumes Philadelphia rotorcraft operations

Boeing has resumed operations at its helicopter and tiltrotor manufacturing site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, nearly three weeks after it was temporarily shutdown as part of wider company and national efforts to help contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The Chinook (pictured), Osprey, and Grey Wolf lines in Philadelphia have reopened following a temporary closure while implemented coronavirus mitigation plans (Boeing)

The re-opening of the Ridley Township facility, which manufactures the CH/MH-47 Chinook, V-22 Osprey, and MH-139A Grey Wolf platforms, took place on 20 April after an enhanced cleaning programme that was begun on 3 April. Further measures that will remain in place include hand-sanitation stations throughout the facility, staggered shift times to enforce social distancing, a requirement for employees to wear face masks, and routine temperature screening of personnel at the site.

“Boeing Philadelphia site leadership will continue to monitor conditions and new information related to Covid-19, including the latest federal and state health guidelines, so we can continuously implement new safeguards and procedures,” the company said.

As previously noted by Jane’s , the Chinook line has outstanding requests/orders for Greece, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The production line at Philadelphia is provisioned to turn out 60 helicopters annually (with 36 per year being the lowest rate presently economically viable).