Air Mobility Command wants to make a “homogenous” fleet of C-17 aircraft across its total force to have consistent block capabilities by coordinating upgrades, AMC Commander Gen. Carlton Everhart said Sept. 16 at ASC15. The command has made “great progress” in upgrading its C-17 fleet so far, and it expects to push the C-17 fleet beyond its original lifespan of 30,000 flight hours to a new goal of 42,000 hours. At the same time, Everhart said he is worried about pushing the C-17s too far. He said he plans to mitigate that by moving more cargo into civilian fleets. The Air Force does not currently plan to have a service life extension program for the C-17 fleet, but that could change depending on future operational needs, he said.
President Donald Trump on July 4 signed into law $150 billion in defense funds as part of the tax-and-spending package known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” after congressional Republicans approved the legislation in narrow, drawn-out votes earlier this week.
