The Air Force awarded Boeing a $500 million contract to transition from production of the C-17 transport to post-production support, announced the Pentagon. “The contract allows the US Air Force to purchase critical spare assemblies and also allows for post-production planning of the C-17 program,” Bob Ceisla, Boeing’s airlift vice president, told the Daily Report on July 11. “This is the beginning of a 10-year process . . . to leverage cost-effective purchases of critical parts to support the C-17 during its operational lifetime,” he added. Boeing builds the C-17 at its plant in Long Beach, Calif. The company plans to deliver the Air Force’s 224th and likely final C-17 next May, but it is still courting international customers, said Ceisla. “We are actively pursuing international sales and see strong customer interest in the capabilities only the C-17 can deliver,” he noted. Boeing delivered the 27th international C-17 to the United Arab Emirates in May.
Lawmakers are growing impatient for an overdue fighter recapitalization study from the Air Force, and members say they'll demand more detailed justifications for future aircraft retirements.