Using new composite blades that provide an additional 1,500 pounds of lift, a Chinook completes several rotor blade tests in Mesa, Ariz. Developed by Boeing and the U.S. Army, the Advanced Chinook Rotor Blade (ACRB) is a new fully composite blade with a swept-tip design. Flying the ACRB is a major milestone on the road to Chinook Block II, a series of upgrades focused on increasing payload, providing commonality across the fleet and creating a foundation for affordable future upgrades.