ST. LOUIS, Oct. 10, 2006 -- The first Boeing [NYSE: BA] C-17
Globemaster III for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has
rolled out of the company's paint hangar in Long Beach, Calif., and
has begun preparations for its first flight, scheduled for later
this month.
"The C-17 will give Australia a new global airlift capability,
significantly enhancing our ability to support national and
international operations, and major disaster rescue and relief
efforts," said Australia's Acting Chief of Air Force, Air
Vice-Marshal John Blackburn. "All of Australia is looking forward
to delivery of this new capability and seeing it quickly commence
operation. The C-17 will meet the vital airlift needs of the
Australian Defence Force over the next 30 years."
Other than the aircraft's unique Australian markings, the new C-17
is identical to the U.S. Air Force C-17s that Boeing is now
manufacturing. The black stallion on the C-17's tail identifies the
airplane as part of the RAAF's No. 36 Squadron, an airlift unit
that will be based in Amberley, west of Brisbane. The kangaroo on
the aircraft's fuselage is part of the RAAF roundel, a distinctive
emblem painted on military aircraft to indicate its nation of
origin.
"It's very exciting to see Australia's first C-17 become a reality
so quickly," said Dave Bowman, Boeing vice president and C-17
program manager. "Less than five months ago, Australia signed a
Letter of Agreement with the U.S. government to acquire four C-17s,
and we're on track to deliver the first one on Nov. 28. We are
providing Australia a world-class capability in world-record
time."
The Australian C-17s will be "Block 17" aircraft, the most advanced
variant in the worldwide C-17 fleet, which now includes 157 U.S.
Air Force and four U.K. Royal Air Force (RAF) C-17s. The new Block
17 capabilities feature upgrades to the aircraft's combat lighting,
formation flying capability and flight control software.
The Australian aircraft will be the first international C-17
delivery since the RAF received its fourth C-17 in August 2001.
After a welcome ceremony in Canberra, Australia's capitol city, the
RAAF's first C-17 will arrive at RAAF Base Amberley in early
December.
The second Australian C-17 is scheduled for delivery in 2007, and
the final two aircraft will be delivered in 2008.
Used for both military and humanitarian missions, the C-17 is the
world's only tactical airlift aircraft with strategic capabilities.
Boeing is designing, building and delivering 180 U.S. Air Force
C-17s on a multi-year contract that runs through 2008. The 10 new
C-17s funded in the fiscal year 2007 U.S. defense bill, along with
recently announced international C-17 orders and commitments,
likely have extended the C-17 production line through the end of
2009.
