Boeing brings forward C-17 line closure

[HRK]

Boeing brings forward C-17 line closure

Boeing has brought forward the closure of its C-17 Globemaster III production line by three months, the company announced on 7 April.

The line at Long Beach, California, will now shut down in mid-2015, having previously been slated for closure in late-2015. Boeing expects inventory-related charges of about USD50 million, which will be recorded in the first quarter, as a result of this announcement, the company said in a statement.

Boeing announced the closure of the C-17 line in September 2013, in line with the impending fulfilment of orders for the US Air Force (USAF) and a slowdown in international sales.

Having delivered 258 C-17s to date (Australia [6], Canada [4], India [5], Kuwait [1], NATO and the Partnership for Peace nations [3], Qatar [4], the United Arab Emirates [6], the UK [8], and the United States [221]), Boeing has just five more aircraft set to be delivered, to India.

The company has stated that it has 15 unassigned 'white-tails' on the line, of which Kuwait is understood to be receiving one, while India has previously stated its wish for an additional six aircraft.

With regard to the remaining unassigned aircraft, Boeing officials have previously told IHS Jane's that the company is currently engaged with seven existing operators, and "two to three" potential first-time buyers.

 

[Abingdonboy]

India will be taking another 10-12 birds no doubt.

 

[Imran Khan]

make one for me special VVVVVVVVIP interior then close the shit

 

[Sergi]

make one for me special VVVVVVVVIP interior then close the shit

How do you get that much money ??? Sharif saab k sath ho gaye kya
Aur Imran bhai amrici maal pe najar !!!!
Chinese kharido varna wo naraj ho jayenge

 

[khanboy007]

The question is

are they coming up with a new transport aircraft production line ???

I agree it was a beast ,a pretty huge and successful aircraft but what bought it's closure ?? it was made in 1991 which for an aircraft isnt that old !!!

 

[janon]

The question is

are they coming up with a new transport aircraft production line ???

I agree it was a beast ,a pretty huge and successful aircraft but what bought it's closure ?? it was made in 1991 which for an aircraft isnt that old !!!

Demand is finite, and the orders have been fulfilled. A new transport aircraft will be designed and produced only when the USAF needs to replace these, and that won't happen for decades.

 

[Archie]

Demand is finite, and the orders have been fulfilled. A new transport aircraft will be designed and produced only when the USAF needs to replace these, and that won't happen for decades.

the oldest B52 in service with USAF is over 70 years old
so we can probably see C17 being in service well into 2040s, before USAF contemplates on replacement
even in Indian Service, C17s are unlikely to be retired before 2055

 

[sancho]

India will be taking another 10-12 birds no doubt.

Too costly, instead of the optional 6, we can at least the 13 x A400 that Germany or Spain wants to sell from their order, if not more. Would be way smarter if we take a higher number of them to replace the 17 x IL 76 in their roles in and around India, while keeping the 10 x C17 in addition to them for strategic long range, or very heavy payloads. Make most of them MRTTs too and you automatically have a dual use advantage at more reasonable procurement and operational costs.

 

[airmarshal]

Dont you think Pakistan needs at least 3 or 4 of these transport planes?

 

[Yzd Khalifa]

We are ordering 6 of these folks.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Too costly, instead of the optional 6, we can at least the 13 x A400 that Germany or Spain wants to sell from their order, if not more. Would be way smarter if we take a higher number of them to replace the 17 x IL 76 in their roles in and around India, while keeping the 10 x C17 in addition to them for strategic long range, or very heavy payloads. Make most of them MRTTs too and you automatically have a dual use advantage at more reasonable procurement and operational costs.

Sir, I can see where you're coming from but this just isn't an option the IAF is exploring. Any A400s the IAF buys will be ON TOP of the C17 fleet not instead of them.

 

[Nishan_101]

I am sure if IAF will order another 20 of them then it will again open up....

 

[Sergi]

I am sure if IAF will order another 20 of them then it will again open up....

You are alwayssssssss. sure kid
Paise kaun dega ???

 

[sancho]

Sir, I can see where you're coming from but this just isn't an option the IAF is exploring. Any A400s the IAF buys will be ON TOP of the C17 fleet not instead of them.

Definitely not! If they go for additional C17, they will fill the tactical side with MTA only, because they can't afford all of them. So if they want to increase operational capabilities by far and use the available funds in the most effective way. they add A400 instead of the optional C17s. But lets see if politics plays the important role in the procurement again, like it was in the first procurement. The production line is closing anyway, an order from us can't save jobs again, like it was in the first procurement, which opens the door for something more beneficiary for IAF requirements.

 

[Lonely Hermit]

Definitely not! If they go for additional C17, they will fill the tactical side with MTA only, because they can't afford all of them. So if they want to increase operational capabilities by far and use the available funds in the most effective way. they add A400 instead of the optional C17s. But lets see if politics plays the important role in the procurement again, like it was in the first procurement. The production line is closing anyway, an order from us can't save jobs again, like it was in the first procurement, which opens the door for something more beneficiary for IAF requirements.

Why not AN 70 instead of A 400. After all we have been using AN 32 in large numbers.