UK MOD signs on for 8th C-17 Globemaster III

Boeing has announced that the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has signed an agreement for the acquisition of an additional C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. This latest order, announced 28 March 2012, will bring the Royal Air Force (RAF) fleet of C-17s to a total of eight.

Boeing is scheduled to deliver the eighth C-17 later this year. The RAF received its seventh C-17 in November 2010, and the fleet has logged more than 74,000 flight hours.

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 Programme, a Performance-Based Logistics agreement. The GISP arrangement provides the highest airlift mission capable rate at one of the lowest costs per flying hour.

Source: By the Shephard News Team - 29 March 2012

Photo: The RAF C-17 Globemaster III (Photo by shephardmedia.com)

(29.03.2012)