Boeing C-17 Globemaster

Introduction

India is purchasing 10 C-17 Globemaster III heavy lift tactical aircraft from the US Government through FMS under an agreement signed in June 2011.

The purchase is of 10 C-17 Globemaster III Block 18 aircraft is valued at $4.1 billion, including logistics support.

The agreement includes delivery of 45 F117-PW-100 engines (40 installed and 5 spare engines), missile warning systems, spares and repair parts, repair and return, flares, other explosives, aircraft ferry and refueling support, crew armour, mission planning system software, training and training equipment, publications and technical data.

The deal is the largest single military purchase from the US by India, surpassing the $2.1 billion purchase of eight Boeing P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft (MRA) in January 2009 and the $962 million acquisition of six Lockheed Martin-built C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft in March 2008.

Boeing will support India's C-17 fleet through the C-17 Globemaster III Sustainment Partnership, a multinational Performance-Based Logistics program. The GSP "virtual fleet" arrangement ensures mission readiness by providing all C-17 customers -- with varied fleet sizes -- access to an extensive support network for worldwide parts availability and economies of scale when purchasing materials.

The Globemaster III  is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. It can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions and can also transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations when required.

The aircraft capable of conveying combat units and their equipment up to a distance of 4,200 km - 9,000 km with a load of 40 Tons - 70 Tons in a single hop. This coupled with a short turnaround time and modern avionics allows it to be deployed rapidly to any place within India's areas of interest. 

Procurement Progress

In a press release dated January 22, 2013, Boeing announced that it had delivered the first of 10 C-17 Globemaster III airlifters for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The aircraft, which had first flown on January 11, has now entered a U.S. Air Force flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base in Palmdale, Calif.

Boeing is on track to deliver four more C-17s to the IAF this year and five in 2014.

On June 6 2011, the Indian government's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the purchase of 10 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

Boeing announced on June 15, 2011 that the Indian government had signed an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters under FMS, approved by the U.S. Congress in May 2010.

According to the agreement, India will take delivery of its C-17s in 2013 and 2014.

Procurement of Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 engines 

On December 19, 2011, Pratt & Whitney announced that it had received a contract to produce the first four F117-PW-100 engines that will power the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III for the Indian Air Force. The engines will be delivered in second quarter of 2012.

Offset

Under the GOI's offset policy, Boeing is required to invest 30% of the total value of the deal in the defense or homeland security segment of Indian industry.

Under the offset program, Boeing will reportedly invest approximately $500 million in setup a wind tunnel to test jet engines in collaboration with DRDO. 

In June 2011, the Air Chief told IANS that the wind tunnel project will go a a long way in helping Indian scientists develop jet engines.

History

Boeing is reported to have briefed the IAF on the aircraft in October 2007. 

In 2008 India sent Boeing a Request For Information to which the company responded. The aircraft gave impressive flying demonstrations during Aero India 2009 in Bangalore.

In June 2009, the IAF projected a requirement for 10 aircraft to the government. 

The Globemaster III is more capable than Il-76 in terms of payload and range. It can carry 70 tons of cargo with a crew of 3, against the 45 tons carried by an IL-76 with a crew of 6. 

On November 6, 2009 it was reported that that Indian MOD is negotiating the purchase of 10 C-17s under a $1.7 billion deal under Foreign Military Sales (FMS).

The Globemaster participated in the joint air exercise between the USAF and IAF held in Agra between October 19-23, 2009 at Agra.

Letter of Request

On January 8, 2010, Aviation Week and Space Technology (AW&ST) reported that MOD has sent a letter of request to the US Government for purchase of 10 Globemaster C-17s under FMS.

According to the magazine, India wants deliveries of the aircraft to be stretched over the years, something Boeing had a problem with earlier because of limited orders. With over three years of orders at a production rate of 15 per year, Boeing is now reported to be in a better position to accommodate the request.  

Boeing later confirmed the development.

"Boeing is pleased that the Indian government has expressed interest in acquiring C-17s to modernise its airlift capabilities and we look forward to working closely with them," said Vivek Lal, vice-president and India country head for Boeing Defense, Space and Security.

Indian Defense Minister Confirms Procurement

Defense Minister A.K. Antony told the Indian parliament on March 10, 2010 that a letter of request has been issued to Washington.

"The proposal to procure C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from the U.S. government to meet the strategic airlift requirement of the Indian Air Force was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council on Oct. 19, 2009," he said. "The letter of request was issued to the United States government on Jan. 1."

Notification to US Congress

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency formally notified Congress on April 22, 2010 of the possible foreign military sale (FMS) of 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to the Indian Air Force.

The notification lists the potential value for the deal as $5.8 billion. The actual value will be finalized following negotiations and would depend on the package sought by the IAF, which besides the aircraft could also include training for air crew and maintenance personnel and training equipment, spares, test and ground-support equipment, technical assistance, engineering services, specific modifications and logistical and technical support.

User Trials

The IAF conducted flight trials of the aircraft in June 2010 operating from short strip in Himachal Pradesh and Leh in J&K.

Details of C-17 Globemaster III purchase

Block 18 aircraft

Boeing is offering the latest Block 18 aircraft. The aircraft would be configured to IAF requirements.

Delivery

During DefExpo 2012, Patrick Druez, business development (mobility) at Boeing Defense, Space & Security.said delivery of IAF ordered C-17 aircraft will start in June 2013 and be completed by end 2014.

“The test flight of the first C17 for India will begin in January [2013]. The certification will be done by May and the delivery will start in June. The training of IAF representatives will begin from May this year.” 

Delivery of the ordered aircraft would be completed by August 2014. [via Business Standard]

During the Singapore Air Show in February 2012 a Boeing official said that five of the 10 aircraft ordered would be delivered by next year and the other five in 2014.

As per the contract, delivery is to begin 24 months after contract signing.  

Basing

The IAF plans to base the aircraft in Agra.

Follow-Up Order

On February 14, 2012, during the Singapore Air Show, Paul Lewis, Director of International Communications for Defense, Space and Security for Boeing told the press, "Indian Air Force has expressed interest for six more C-17s." 

In June 2011, IAF Chief PV Naik told IANS that the was likely to order more than 16 Globmasters, since the IL-76 would need to be replaced in another 10 years.

Following user trials in July 2010, it was reported that the IAF will procure six additional C-17 Globemaster III aircraft under the FMS program, bringing the total procurement to 16.

IAF's Transport Fleet

The IAF's transport fleet currently comprises of 17 IL-76MD, 104 An-32s and 6 C-130Js.

India signed a $400 million contract with Ukrainian military export agency Ukrspetsexport to upgrade its AN-32 aircraft.

The C-17s will replace the 17 Il-76 transports, which have a max payload of 50 000 kg, compared to the C-17’s maximum of 74 000 kg. Both aircraft have a similar range, but the C-17 overall has better performance. At more than US$250 million per aircraft, it is far more expensive than the Il-76.

C-17 Globemaster III Characteristics

Boeing warrantees for the C-17 include a aircraft mission completion success probability rate of 92 percent, only 20 aircraft maintenance man-hours per flying hour, and full and partial mission availability rates of 74.7 and 82.5 percent, respectively. 

The C-17 measures 174 feet long (53 meters) with a wingspan of 169 feet, 10 inches (51.75 meters). 

Powerplants

The aircraft is powered by four, fully reversible, Federal Aviation Administration-certified F117-PW-100 engines (the military designation for the commercial Pratt & Whitney PW2040), currently used on the Boeing 757. Each engine is rated at 40,440 pounds of thrust. The thrust reversers direct the flow of air upward and forward to avoid ingestion of dust and debris. Maximum use has been made of off-the-shelf and commercial equipment, including Air Force-standardized avionics.

Crew

The aircraft is operated by a crew of three (pilot, copilot and loadmaster), reducing manpower requirements, risk exposure and long-term operating costs. Cargo is loaded onto the C-17 through a large aft door that accommodates military vehicles and palletized cargo. The C-17 can carry virtually all of the Army's air-transportable equipment.

Maximum payload capacity of the C-17 is 170,900 pounds (77,519 kilograms), and its maximum gross takeoff weight is 585,000 pounds (265,352 kilograms). With a payload of 169,000 pounds (76,657 kilograms) and an initial cruise altitude of 28,000 feet (8,534 meters), the C-17 has an unrefueled range of approximately 2,400 nautical miles. Its cruise speed is approximately 450 knots (.76 Mach). The C-17 is designed to airdrop 102 paratroopers and equipment.

Runway requirement

The design of the aircraft allows it to operate through small, austere airfields. The C-17 can take off and land on runways as short as 3,500 feet (1,064 meters) and only 90 feet wide (27.4 meters). Even on such narrow runways, the C-17 can turn around using a three-point star turn and its backing capability.

The U.S. Air Force has transported a brigade of men, tonnes of equipment and 400 vehicles over five nights, flying 17 shifts, he said, explaining the ability of the workhorse.