The RAF is to get a significant boost to its heavy lift ability with the acquisition of a 6th Boeing Globemaster via a £130m contract.
The C-17 can carry the equivalent of three Warrior armoured vehicles, 13 Land Rovers, one Chinook, or three Apache gunships'As well as being able to carry loads of up to 75 tonnes and fly long distances (up to 2,400 miles) the C-17's ability to land on unpaved airfields in remote, land-locked regions make it a versatile transport aircraft, equally suited for a variety of missions. Baroness Taylor, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support said: 'The C-17 is a versatile aircraft which provides vital support to our Armed Forces. A sixth C-17 will greatly increase our ability to transport troops and heavy equipment quickly to operations'.
The RAF purchased four leased aircraft and a fifth C-17 last summer. The contract for a sixth will give the RAF a guaranteed long term capacity in this area.
The new C-17 aircraft will join the rest of the fleet at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire when it enters service in summer 2008. |
