The company is contracted to deliver a total
of six C-17s to its UAE customer four this
year and two in 2012.
"Congratulations to the UAE Air Force and
Air Defence on accepting delivery of their second
C-17," said Bob Ciesla, Boeing C-17 program
manager. "The leadership of the UAE team
has resulted in incredible progress on this program.
We look forward to continuing to work closely
together as we deliver the remainder of the fleet."
The C-17 is the only aircraft capable of performing
all of the UAEs airlift requirements
strategic and tactical, military and humanitarian,
brigade airdrop and aeromedical evacuation
using either standard runways or short, austere
airfields. It can transport large payloads across
vast ranges without refueling and operate in extremely
hot and cold climates. With a full payload of
170,000 pounds, a C-17 can fly 2,400 nautical
miles and land in 3,000 feet or less.
"Were proud to say that UAE 02 is
mission-ready," said Rich Cutting, Boeing
UAE C-17 program manager. "UAE 01, delivered
just one month ago, has already logged several
missions. And thats what the C-17 is all
about being ready to perform any mission,
anywhere, on a moments notice."
As a member of the worldwide C-17 "virtual
fleet," the UAEs C-17s will be supported
through Boeings C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment
Partnership, a proven multinational Performance-Based
Logistics program. Through the virtual fleet concept,
C-17 customers receive comprehensive worldwide
logistics support (spares, support equipment,
tech orders, sustaining engineering, and on-site
field teams) through use of shared resources across
the entire fleet. This highly successful program
ensures high levels of mission readiness by providing
all C-17 customers regardless of fleet
size cost-effective access to an extensive
support program.
There are currently 232 C-17s in service worldwide
22 with international customers. The U.S.
Air Force, including active Guard and Reserve
units, has 210. Other international customers
include the Qatar Emiri Air Force, the UK Royal
Air Force, the Canadian Forces, the Royal Australian
Air Force, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift
Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership
for Peace nations.
|