Post by corsair67 on May 11, 2007 11:16:54 GMT 12
From The Australian.
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21707902-23349,00.html
Second C-17 on course for Brisbane
Steve Creedy
May 11, 2007
AUSTRALIA'S second giant C-17 Globemaster III will be handed over today during a ceremony at Boeing's factory in Long Beach, California.
The new airlifter is destined to join Australia's first plane at the RAAF Amberley base near Brisbane, and two more are due to arrive in Australia next year.
The RAAF said the long-term investment of more than $2billion to acquire the big planes would increase Australia's flexibility and self-reliance.
Until now it has relied on the smaller C-130 Hercules and ageing foreign charter aircraft.
Defence officials estimated that 50 C-130 flights over a month could be matched by a C-17 in half the time with perhaps only 20 sorties.
The big plane carries only three crew, including a loadmaster, and can lift almost four times the load of a Hercules.
Australia's planes are the most advanced variant of the C-17 and feature upgrades to combat lighting, formation flying capability and flight control software.
Air Commodore Jack Plenty said the delivery was eagerly anticipated by the Australian Defence Force.
He said the C-17 squadron had already made several intercontinental trips since the first plane's delivery five months ago.
www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21707902-23349,00.html
Second C-17 on course for Brisbane
Steve Creedy
May 11, 2007
AUSTRALIA'S second giant C-17 Globemaster III will be handed over today during a ceremony at Boeing's factory in Long Beach, California.
The new airlifter is destined to join Australia's first plane at the RAAF Amberley base near Brisbane, and two more are due to arrive in Australia next year.
The RAAF said the long-term investment of more than $2billion to acquire the big planes would increase Australia's flexibility and self-reliance.
Until now it has relied on the smaller C-130 Hercules and ageing foreign charter aircraft.
Defence officials estimated that 50 C-130 flights over a month could be matched by a C-17 in half the time with perhaps only 20 sorties.
The big plane carries only three crew, including a loadmaster, and can lift almost four times the load of a Hercules.
Australia's planes are the most advanced variant of the C-17 and feature upgrades to combat lighting, formation flying capability and flight control software.
Air Commodore Jack Plenty said the delivery was eagerly anticipated by the Australian Defence Force.
He said the C-17 squadron had already made several intercontinental trips since the first plane's delivery five months ago.
