Dubai Airshow 2011: Boeing attempts to eek out extra C-17 sales

16 November 2011 by Tony Osborne – Shepard Group

Dubai, UAE - Boeing is attempting to eek out extra sales for the C-17 Globemaster III airlifter.

With 238 examples now in service with seven operators around the world, the company revealed it is in five active campaigns to sell the aircraft.

With the current sales backlog standing at around 20 with aircraft for India, the UAE Air Force, the US Air Force and a single extra airframe for Australia, the company is keen to keep production of the type, at Long Beach in California, ongoing.

Speaking at the Dubai Airshow, Tommy Dunehew, VP of business development at Boeing's Mobility division said the company was continuing to work on building interest in possible new variants of the aircraft including a version that Boeing have dubbed the C-17FE 'Fuel Efficient' which was under study by the company last year.

Dunehew suggested a configuration, which would improve fuel economy by 25% and have a field take-off performance of around 450 m (1,500 ft) carrying two Stryker armoured vehicles.

Dunehew also pointed out that Boeing was keen to consider flexible deals with customers combining C-17 and CH-47 sales.