UK Royal Air Force receives 8th Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

LONG BEACH, Calif., 19 May 2012. Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the United Kingdom's eighth C-17 Globemaster III to the Royal Air Force (RAF) today at the company's final assembly facility in Long Beach. The RAF C-17s are operated by 99 Squadron at RAF Brize Norton. The first RAF C-17s entered service in 2001 and have accrued over 74,000 flight hours. The UK Ministry of Defence ordered additional airlifters for delivery in 2008 and 2010 and placed the order for its eighth C-17 in March. The C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Featuring the ability to carry 170,900 lbs of cargo with a range of 2,785 miles, C-17s have been used in many military and humanitarian missions.

C-17s are used to support Operation Herrick, the transport of equipment and troops to Afghanistan. RAF C-17s also delivered relief supplies following earthquakes in Haiti and Chile and provided humanitarian relief following floods in Pakistan. RAF C-17s are supported through the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program, a Performance-Based Logistics agreement.

Boeing has delivered 242 C-17s worldwide, with 216 on active duty for the U.S. Air Force, Guard and Reserve units. A total of 26 C-17s have been delivered to Australia, Canada, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. India has also ordered the aircraft, with 10 C-17s on order for delivery in 2013 and 2014.