The U.S. Air Force is considering whether production of the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III could be restarted as the service evaluates its future airlift needs. Air Mobility Command chief Lt. Gen. Daniel Tulley said the option will be examined during an upcoming analysis of alternatives for next-generation airlift, according to National Defense.
Production Restart Studied
The review is expected to examine several possibilities for replacing or extending the service life of the C-17 and C-5 Galaxy fleets. Boeing closed the C-17 production line in 2015 after building 279 aircraft for the U.S. and international customers, although it has recently hinted at the possibility of resuming. No decision has been made to restart production, and Tulley said the cost and practicality of restoring the manufacturing operation remain open questions.
“Once we terminate an assembly line, can we ever bring it back?” Tulley told National Defense. “Does somebody store the machinery and the diesel and whatnot and bring that out? So, we’re asking that question.”
Air Force Weighs Alternatives
The Air Force currently operates 222 C-17s at 17 locations, according to the service’s airlift office. The aircraft remains the service’s primary strategic airlifter for moving troops and equipment. Current modernization efforts include replacement head-up displays, satellite communications and countermeasure upgrades.
The analysis could also consider a service-life extension or a new aircraft incorporating updated technology. Tulley told TWZ that the service is interested in future capabilities such as improved self-protection, greater network connectivity and potentially increased autonomy.
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