via AviationNews.eu
Boeing today announced that the UK Ministry of Defence has signed an
agreement for the acquisition of one C-17 Globemaster III, bringing the
Royal Air Force (RAF) fleet of the world’s most advanced airlifters to a
total of eight. Boeing is scheduled to deliver the eighth C-17 later
this year.
“The tremendous teamwork of Boeing and U.S. Government officials has
made it possible to announce this acquisition so quickly after we
determined the need for this additional C-17,” said UK Ministry of
Defence Head of Commercial for Air Support Robin Philip. “This C-17 will
be a welcome addition to the RAF fleet.”
RAF C-17s had surpassed 50,000 flight hours in December 2009, when
the UK announced its intent to purchase a seventh aircraft. By the time
the seventh C-17 was delivered in November 2010, the fleet had logged
more than 60,000 flight hours. The fleet has now surpassed 74,000 flight
hours – a rate 15 percent above planned use.
“We have watched with great pride over the past decade as the RAF,
our first international C-17 customer, has supported global peacekeeping
missions and responded to the needs of millions affected by natural
disasters around the world,” said Bob Ciesla, Boeing vice president and
C-17 program manager.
“We understand the need to move quickly to bring this contract to
completion,” said Liz Pace, Boeing C-17 UK program manager. “This
additional order is a testament to our strong relationship with the UK
as well as to the aircraft’s advanced capability, flexibility and
reliability.”
The RAF C-17s are operated by 99Squadron at RAF Brize Norton. C-17s
are used to support Operation Herrick, the transport of large equipment
and troops to Afghanistan. RAF C-17s also delivered relief supplies
following devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile and provided
humanitarian relief following floods in Pakistan.
As a member of the worldwide C-17 “virtual fleet,” RAF C-17s are
supported through the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment
Program, a Performance-Based Logistics agreement. The GISP arrangement
provides the highest airlift mission capable rate at one of the lowest
costs per flying hour.
Boeing has delivered 241 C-17s worldwide, including 216 to the U.S.
Air Force active duty, Guard and Reserve units. A total of 25 C-17s have
been delivered to Australia, Canada, Qatar, United Arab Emirates,
United Kingdom and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative
of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. India has 10 C-17s on order
for delivery in 2013 and 2014.
If the Royal Air Force is smart, they'll push hard interoperability with the USAF and try to get a dozen of these.
Libya showed the weakness of land based air despite the best efforts of air power apologist. If your target is three hours flying distance away and if it can move then you might just be burning aviation gas.
The modern battlefield is not set. Targets are mobile and you need the flexibility that being based as close to your targets as possible to give you the response time needed to make a difference on a fluid battle field.
Libya showed that the model used in that conflict just didn't measure up.
This move to increase strategic reach, make the RAF more expeditionary...make the RAF more relevant is nothing but predictable.
But in the end, the RAF just got a new toy. Lets see what they do with it.