C-17 airlifter

Boeing has awarded a contract to UTC Aerospace Systems to continue the supply of landing gear system maintenance services in support of the US Air Force’s (USAF) C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft fleet.

Under the contract, the company will collaborate with Hill Air Force Base (AFB) to share workload for the C-17’s landing gear maintenance requirements.

UTC Aerospace Systems Landing Gear business site director Greg Watson said the company has served as the incumbent supplier for USAF’s C-17 Globemaster III aircraft since 2006.

”This partnership with Boeing and Hill Air Force Base enables us to improve development of salvage repairs and reinforce best practices in support of the warfighter," Watson added.

”This partnership with Boeing and Hill Air Force Base enables us to improve development of salvage repairs and reinforce best practices in support of the warfighter."

C-17 landing gear maintenance requirements are primarily managed by the Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, which is located in Ogden, Utah, US.

Contract details and performance period have not been disclosed by the company, which is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the Globemaster III landing gear system.

Powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines, C-17 Globemaster is a military tactical transport aircraft designed to conduct rapid strategic airlift of troops and supply of palleted cargo to main operating bases or forward-operating bases worldwide.

Operated by a three-member crew, the T-tailed aircraft is capable of performing tactical airlift, medical evacuation and airdrop missions in harsh terrain when required.

Around 248 C-17s have been delivered to date by Boeing, 218 of which are operated by the USAF, while the remaining 30 are in use in Australia, Canada, Qatar, UAE, the UK and and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of Nato and Partnership for Peace nations.


Image: A USAF’s C-17 Globemaster III aircraft prepares to land with its landing gear exposed. Photo: US Air Force photo by Dennis Rogers.

Defence Technology