Boeing Delivers the 5th C-17 Globemaster III to UAE Air Force

Earlier this month, the Boeing was able to deliver the fifth C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force. The other four C-17s was already delivered  last 2011 and the UAE Air Force is waiting for one more airlifter later this year.

UAE Air Force is Boeing’s sixth C-17 international customer. The UAE Air Force received their first airlifter on May 10, 2011. Since then, the UAE Air Force and Air Defence C-17 had more than 2,000 flight hours and carried more than 3,000 passengers and about 4 million pounds of cargo.

“It’s amazing to see all that the UAE has accomplished with its fleet of C-17s in such a short time, including standing up a new base; qualifying three aircraft commanders and four mission-ready loadmasters; and conducting humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions,” said Bob Ciesla, Boeing Airlift Vice President and C-17 Program Manager. “We’re proud to be a part of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence mission long after each C-17 is delivered. With a mission-capable rate above 90 percent, UAE C-17s are ready to save lives and deliver hope whenever they are needed.”

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is known as a large military transport aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas in which later merged with the Boeing company. The C-17 is widely-used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases all over the world. The C-17 Globemaster III can also perform tactical airlift, medical evacuation and airdrop missions.

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Source: http://www.defencetalk.com

US Air Force Retires First C-17 Globemaster III Ever Built

The C-17 Globemaster III is a foremost cargo plane for the U.S. Air Force. The first C-17 Globemaster III was basically hand-built by McDonnell Douglas. It flew its first flight on September 15, 1991 with a life expectancy of five years. After 20 years, it finally flew its retirement flight to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. It is expected that the C-17 will be put in a public display the museum’s Air Park this summer.

“This aircraft will serve as the representative C-17 airframe in the museum’s collection, allowing us to share with the public more of the story of the demanding airlift missions facing today’s Air Force,” Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John Hudson, the museum’s director, said in an Air Force report.

When McDonnel Douglas merged with Boeing, it continued the production of C-17 Globemaster III. The aircraft had been rebuilt and refurbished over time which allows it to support other flight and propulsion test programs for the U.S. Airforce, NASA and other agencies. The first C-17 Globemaster III also dabbled in pop culture. It had appeared in the Emmy Award-winning production of “American Soldier” by country singer Toby Keith and in five movies namely “Transformers,” “Iron Man,” “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” “Iron Man 2″ and soon to be released “Superman: Man of Steel.”

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News source: http://www.seattlepi.com

RAF receives 5th C-17 Globemaster III

Boeing delivered Australia’s fifth C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) last Wednesday.

A RAAF delegation led by Stephen Smith, Australia’s Minister for Defence, received the country’s latest C-17 during a ceremony at the C-17 program’s final assembly facility in Long Beach. The event was attended by Chief of the Defence Force Gen. David Hurley, Australian Secretary of Defence Duncan Lewis, and U.S. Ambassador to Australia Jeffrey Bleich.

“Australia’s fleet of four C-17s has been on the front lines of defense and humanitarian missions around the world, and continues to demonstrate the aircraft’s great versatility and capability,” said Boeing Military Aircraft President Chris Chadwick.

The Commonwealth of Australia in April announced the signing of an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire its fifth C-17 Globemaster. The U.S. Air Force approved the Foreign Military Sale and assigned a C-17 already in production to be delivered to the RAAF.

The C-17 provides the RAAF with the capability to airlift large payloads across intercontinental distances and transport combat-ready troops to remote locations, by either landing or airdropping them directly where needed.

Australian C-17s were part of the relief mission to Japan following a devastating earthquake and tsunami earlier this year. RAAF C-17s also conducted relief operations following a major earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, and floods in Pakistan and Australia.

Source: AIR-ATTACK

Boeing, USAF Reserve Welcome C-17s to Wright-Patterson AFB

Boeing joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base last July 9 to commemorate the base’s transition to the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifter.

Wright-Patterson, home of the 445th Airlift Wing, previously flew the C-5A Galaxy and is the latest Air Force Reserve Command unit to transition to a fleet of C-17 aircraft. C-17s have provided airlift capability to U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan and Iraq and deployed on every major humanitarian mission in the past decade.

“Boeing is honored to welcome the 445th Airlift Wing to the elite group of C-17 operators that the world looks to for aid in times of crisis and troops rely on when they are called on a mission anywhere in the world,” said Boeing C-17 Program Manager Bob Ciesla.

“The C-17 continues to be the backbone of the U.S. Air Force’s airlift capability; the aircraft have successfully completed countless military and humanitarian missions during their years of service. We know that the men and women who serve at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base can count on their C-17s to continue to perform for many years to come.”

“Boeing’s support for the C-17 doesn’t stop when the aircraft is delivered but continues through the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership (GSP),” said Gus Urzua, Boeing C-17 GSP vice president.

Source: AIR-ATTACK

Hindan AFB will be home of India’s C-17

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct its first C-17 Globemaster III, its largest strategic heavy lift aircraft, at the Hindan air force in Ghaziabad near New Delhi after it is procured from the US.

“We have decided to induct the C-17 at the Hindan air force base when the first aircraft would be delivered to us in the 2013-14 time-frame,” IAF officials told PTI here.

The C-17 military airlift aircraft is a high-wing, four-engine, T-tailed military transport vehicle capable of carrying payloads up to 169,000lb. It has an international range and the ability to land on small airfields. A fully integrated electronic cockpit and advanced cargo systems allow a crew of three; the pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster, to operate all systems on any type of mission.

A propulsive lift system allows the C-17 to achieve safe landings on short runways. The C-17 aircraft is capable of landing a full payload in less than 3,000ft. The propulsive lift system uses engine exhaust to generate lift: the engine exhaust is directed onto large flaps, which extend into the exhaust stream, allowing the aircraft to fly a steep approach at a relatively low landing speed.

India had recently signed its biggest defence deal with the US to procure ten C-17 heavy-lift aircraft for USD 4.1 billion under which American defence major Boeing will set up test facilities for hi-tech aeronautics engines for the DRDO.

Source: The Economic Times, airforce-technology

India to finalize order for 10 C-17s this month

C-17 Globemaster III

 

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to place orders for 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlifters within this month in a deal valued at $4.1 billion.

Discussions between the IAF and the US Air Force (USAF), as well as the Indian ministry of defence and the US Department of Defence concluded here Feb 15, with Boeing accepting the detailed terms for 30 percent mandatory offsets clause.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which is the final authority for major defence and other acquisitions, is likely to approve the deal at its next meeting as funds for the purchase of the C-17s have been approved for the fiscal 2010-11.

Vivek Lall, Boeing’s outgoing vice president in India for defence, space and security, confirmed the agreement on offsets but declined to give any financial details.

The IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, had told India Strategic that it would be going in for an additional six C-17 Globemasters.

By that time, the new generation C-17s would operationally be well-assimilated in the IAF.

- economic times.indiatimes.com

Possible C-17 sale to Australia costs $300M

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress yesterday of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of a C-17 GLOBEMASTER III aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $300 million.

The Government of Australia has requested a possible sale of one C-17 GLOBEMASTER III aircraft, up to four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 engines, one AN/AAQ-24V(13) Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) System, spare and repair parts, supply and test equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, United States Government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

This proposed sale is consistent with those objectives and facilitates burden sharing with our allies.

Australia currently has a heavy airlift capability comprised of four C-17As. This additional C-17 will further improve Australia’s capability to rapidly deploy in support of global coalition operations and will also greatly enhance its ability to lead regional humanitarian/peacekeeping operations such as its current response to the Queensland flooding, cyclone aftermath and the New Zealand Earthquake.

Australia has the ability to absorb and employ the additional C-17.

The C-17 fleet is based at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley. RAAF Base Amberley is the primary base for airlift and tanker aircraft and is currently undergoing the infrastructure upgrades required to support the C-17 and other large aircraft Australia already received or is under contract to purchase.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

- dsca.mil

RAF Receives 7th Boeing C-17

On Jan. 24, London - Boeing and its Boeing Defense UK subsidiary announced the arrival of the Royal Air Force’s seventh C-17 Globemaster III airlifter at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England. The aircraft was officially delivered on Nov. 16 from Boeing’s facility in Long Beach, California, and underwent modifications at the company’s San Antonio facility before flying to the United Kingdom.

ZZ177 arrives at RAF Brize Norton

Air Officer Commanding 2 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Philip Osborn, Royal Air Force, said “The RAF C-17 fleet, along with the rest of the Airbridge, delivers an incredible capability to our deployed forces on the front line.” He added “I am also extremely proud of the outstanding contribution that all our aircraft and personnel are making toward continued progress in Afghanistan.”

Assigned to 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton, the UK fleet of C-17s provides critical airlift capability for the nation’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force and has supported humanitarian and disaster-relief missions to Pakistan, Haiti and Chile. 99 Squadron’s C-17s are equipped with upgraded software and avionics, as well as additional fuel tanks that extend the aircraft’s nautical mile range to over 4,000 miles. In normal operations, the aircraft carries a crew of three — two pilots and one air-loadmaster.

Boeing UK C-17 Program Manager Liz Pace said “May 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of the delivery of the Royal Air Force’s first C-17, which continues to perform superbly — anytime and anywhere.” She added “The RAF uses its C-17s more than any other service today, which is why it has surpassed 60,000 flight hours with just six aircraft.”

The UK Ministry of Defense announced it would acquire its seventh C-17 in December 2009, less than one year before delivery.

- asdnews.com

 

CH-47 Chinooks back from Afghanistan

CH-47-Chinook

Australia’s Rotary Wing Group rotation is returning home for a well-earned break and mandatory maintenance on their aircraft after 737 flying hours and having moved in excess of 691,000 kilograms of supplies and equipment over the last eight months.

The task group and their two CH-47 Chinooks will return to Afghanistan early in the New Year to recommence flight operations in support of ISAF efforts – a deployment they have undertaken since rotations began in 2006.

The Chinooks are unable to fly during Afghanistan’s harsh winter months.

The two Chinooks chalked up an impressive 860 sorties, transporting more than 4700 troops while assisting the efforts of the International Stabilisation Assistance Force (ISAF) on this current rotation.
Task Group Commander, Lieutenant Colonel David Lynch said the effort of the team was highly commendable.

” On just about all the missions we flew this year supporting our coalition partners; our crews were fulfilling the role of Air Mission Commander, taking the lead and providing direction to the other Coalition aircraft involved in the missions,” he said.

“A key mission requirement for the Task Group was to ensure that the CH-47‘s were mission ready whenever they were required,” Lieutenant Colonel Lynch said.

Maintenance crews have already stripped the Rotary Wing Groups double decker bus-sized helicopters and packed them into a pair of Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for the return trip to Australia.

- defence.gov.au -

Possible C-17 sale to Kuwait costs $693M

A C-17 Globemaster III

U.S. Congress was notified of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait of one Boeing C-17 GLOBEMASTER III aircraft worth $693 million. The package includes the aircraft’s associated parts, equipment and logistics support.

The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale of one Boeing C-17 GLOBEMASTER III aircraft, four Turbofan F117-PW-100 engines installed on the aircraft, one spare Turbofan F117-PW-100 engine, one AN/ALE-47 Counter-Measures Dispensing System (CMDS), one AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, aircraft ferry services, refueling support, precision navigation equipment, spare and repairs parts, support, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support.

This proposed sale of the C-17 will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO ally which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

- http://www.dsca.mil