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Boeing has revealed a new contract for the maintenance and longevity of the C-17A Globemaster III.
The major contract with the US Air Force will ensure that Boeing can support the design, manufacturing, integration and certification features of the C-17A and maintain mission readiness.
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“The C‑17A has been the backbone of global air mobility for over three decades,” said Travis Williams, vice president of air force mobility and training services at Boeing.
“With the US Air Force requirements to keep the C-17A viable through 2075, we already have a clear and achievable roadmap to support their needs, and the needs of our international partners around the globe.”
The contract will also include replacing avionics and other critical equipment that have outgrown contemporary requirements.
This ensures that the equipment and specialised features of the flight deck align with the modern, modular open systems architecture (MOSA).
Boeing said this will allow upgrades to be added as needed, so the fleet can take on new capabilities quickly and efficiently.
“By resolving avionics obsolescence and introducing MOSA, we’re preserving a proven, highly dependable, heavy airlifter and keeping it at the forefront of performance and efficiency for decades to come,” Williams added.
Between 1993 and 2015, Boeing delivered 222 C-17A Globemaster IIIs to the US Air Force and 53 to other international partners.
The RAAF currently operates eight C-17As, having obtained an initial fleet of four between 20028 and 2008, and additional aircraft in 2011, 2012, and 2015.
“The C-17A Globemaster III provides a logistics backbone for Australian Defence Force operations. It allows Australia to rapidly deploy troops, supplies, combat vehicles, heavy equipment and helicopters anywhere in the world,” the RAAF’s website reads.
“Based at RAAF Base Amberley, all eight C-17As are operated by No. 36 Squadron. C-17As have supported personnel on deployments, and been an integral part of disaster relief and humanitarian missions.
“The C-17A Globemaster is a high-wing, four-engine heavy transport aircraft. It is fitted with a cargo bay ramp that allows it to airdrop cargo in-flight, and can operate from unsurfaced runways as short as 3500 feet. It can also be used to conduct aeromedical evacuation missions.”
