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747-237

http://www.domain-b.com/defence/air_space/iaf/20111010_heavy_transporters_oneView.html

IAF to induct Boeing C-17 strategic heavy transporters from 2013

10 October 2011

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will induct the first of the ten Boeing-manufactured C-17 Globemaster-III heavy airlift transport aircraft it has on order in June 2013, before placing a follow-on order for six more. It has plans to induct as many as 20 of these strategic heavy-lifters, but currently has government sanction for 16.

Speaking to a defence magazine, IAF chief, air chief marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, said that Boeing would deliver all the 10 aircraft between 2013 and 2014, and based on operational satisfaction the IAF would then consider placing orders for an additional six.

According to the ACM, induction of all 16 aircraft should be complete by 2015.

"C-17 Globemaster III aircraft are expected to be inducted between 2013 and 2015," he said.

The air chief also clarified that though the IAF planned to acquire 20 such aircraft, as of now it had government clearance for just 16.

The IAF expects to sign contracts for an additional six C-17s sometime in 2013.

The first lot of 10 aircraft were ordered in June this year under the aegis of the US government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, which is a government-to-government contract.

The order is worth $4.1 billion, and includes training and support package as well as 30 per cent offset investment into India's defence programmes.

Boeing officials did mention to visiting Indian journalists at a C-17 manufacturing facility last year that the company could accelerate production and ensure deliveries ahead of schedule.

Boeing has met all US Air Force (USAF) orders and its C-17 production line will close once the last few orders are delivered over the next three to four years. The production capacity has already been halved to ten aircraft a year so that the factory can continue operations in the hope that can land some more international orders.

Even with a small number of 10-16 of these airlifters, India will be Boeing's second biggest customer for these aircraft. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), with six aircraft, is the third largest.

USAF has a total order for 223 aircraft, and uses the C-17 extensively to support combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Lockheed Martin too has delivered all six C-130J aircraft on order with the IAF before schedule and is in line for additional orders of six more. The IAF received its first C-130J in February this year and the sixth is due in November.
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HAWK21M · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:05 am Post subject:

This has been one swift order compared to the usual delays encountered.Any plan on the base for these units.
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sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Chandigarh, possibly. However, people in the know on this forum will possibly not divulge this to you and me, on this public forum.
Cheers, Sumantra.

HAWK21M · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 4:15 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:30 pm Post subject:

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=78432

Purchase of Transport Aircraft

Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) have been signed with the Government of the United States (USG) for the procurement often C-17 Globemaster aircraft as well as six C-130J aircraft along with associated equipment for the Indian Air Force (IAF) The estimated cost of the procurement of the C-17 aircraft is US $ 4.116 billion while the cost of the procurement of the C-130-J 30 aircraft is US $ 962.4 million.

The cost of an aircraft depends on its specifications, configurations and equipment on-board. The cost at which the aircraft is being supplied to India is commensurate with the cost at which C-17 aircraft is supplied to the United States Air Force and its allies.

All ten C-17 aircraft and their associated equipment are expected to be delivered to the IAF between June 2013 and June 2015.

The induction of the C-130 J30 aircraft commenced in February 2011 and five aircraft have been inducted into the IAF so far. The sixth aircraft is planned for induction by end of December 2011.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to ShriBaliramJadhavand others in LokSabha today.

PK/NN
(Release ID :78432)

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rutvij · Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:08 am Post subject:

HAWK21M · Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:10 am Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:21 am Post subject:

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/12/20/PW-engines-for-Indias-C-17s/UPI-16221324391656/

P&W engines for India's C-17s

Dec. 20, 2011

Four Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft destined for the Indian air force will be powered by Pratt and Whitney F117-PW-100 engines.

"We are delighted the Indian air force has selected the C-17 with Pratt and Whitney F117 engines to support its airlift mission," said Bev Deachin, vice president, Military Programs and Customer Support, Pratt and Whitney.

"The F117 is suited for a wide range of operating environments and conditions and it has demonstrated superb performance and reliability from the Antarctic to the deserts of the Middle East.

"We look forward to helping strengthen India's aerospace capabilities and humanitarian efforts."

The F117-PW-100 is a sibling of the company's PW2037, a commercial engine.

India is to receive 10 of the heavy lift C-17s under an agreement with the U.S. government. The first aircraft is to be delivered in 2013.

Pratt and Whitney said 239 Globemaster IIIs delivered by Boeing the U.S. military and also to customers around the world are powered by its F117 engines.

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rutvij · Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 12:15 pm Post subject:

HAWK21M · Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 12:50 pm Post subject:

The 12 hr wait was pre 26/11....Now counterchecks are in place.
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747-237 · Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 4:33 pm Post subject:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-confirms-178-billion-contract-for-india-c-17s-367749/

Boeing confirms $1.78 billion contract for India C-17s

Boeing has finalised a contract to sell 10 C-17 airlifters to the India Air Force, but a key decision looms for the future of the strategic airlifter.

The $1.78 billion contract awarded to Boeing on 2 February completes a three-year negotiation process, but it was not immediately clear if it was the full amount. During US President Barack Obama's visit to India in late 2010, the White House said the value of the 10 aircraft deal was $4.1 billion.

The C-17 is generally priced at around $250 million per aircraft, including four Pratt & Whitney F117 engines.

The US Air Force has stopped buying C-17s after ordering 223 aircraft, with the final 10 added by Congess in the fiscal 2010 budget and ordered only recently.

As the C-17 programme came to rely on foreign orders, Boeing reduced the production rate to 10 aircraft per year without increasing the unit price.

The company is still marketing the aircraft to new countries. The C-17, for example, made an appearance at the Seoul air show in October. Existing customers, such as the Royal Australian Air Force, have also expressed interest in buying more C-17s.

However, Boeing must decide by May whether to order a new batch of long-lead parts, or begin the slow process of shutting down the C-17's supply chain.

The parts will be purchased by Boeing, with no guarantee that new orders will be placed.

Senator Claire McCaskill, meanwhile, has asked the US Federal Aviation Administration to accelerate the process of certifying a civilan version, reviving the BC-17 concept previously rejected by the commercial freighter industry.

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Aseem · Member Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 2841 Location: YYZ

Maybe USAF does not need more of such aircrafts. I'm sure they'll continue to support the product and have no bearing on after sales service.
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747-237 · Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 12:51 am Post subject:

http://www.avionics-intelligence.com/news/2012/04/01/indian-air-force-to-take-delivery-of-all-10-boeing-c-17-by-aug-2014.html

INDIAN AIR FORCE TO TAKE DELIVERY OF ALL 10 BOEING C-17 BY AUG 2014

April 1, 2012

The Indian Air Force will have all the 10 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters by August 2014, Patrick Druez who is in charge of Business Development Global Mobility Systems Boeing Defense, Space & Security, said.

India will take delivery of the first C-17 in June 2013.

"The C-17 met all Indian Air Force requirements in high altitude and hot environment where other airlifters can't," he said at a media briefing on the sidelines of the Defence Expo here today.

The airlifters can also land and take off in a narrow and short airfields, he said. The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest and most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. It 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.

The aircraft can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions and can transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations when required.

In June 2011, India's Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with the United States government to acquire 10 C-17. The deal was the largest defense contract to have been signed by the Indian government with the US.

The C-17 is generally priced at around US$250 million per aircraft including four Pratt & Whitney F117 engines.

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747-237 · Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:05 am Post subject:

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2368

Boeing Completes Major Join of India's 1st C-17 Airlifter
Program on schedule to deliver strategic and humanitarian capabilities

July 31, 2012 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today in Long Beach integrated the forward, center and aft fuselages and the wing assembly of India's first C-17 Globemaster III during the airlifter's "major join" ceremony.

Embassy, senior Indian Air Force and local elected officials drove ceremonial rivets into the aircraft as they celebrated the achievement of this key program milestone.

India's Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with the U.S. government on June 15, 2011, to acquire 10 C-17 airlifters, making India the largest C-17 customer outside the U.S. Those governments finalized the Foreign Military Sales contract for the airframe alone on June 6.

"The defense relationship between India and the United States is an important dimension of our strategic partnership," said Ambassador N. Parthasarathi, Consul General of India, San Francisco. "This momentous occasion, where we see India's first C-17 take shape, further strengthens our growing relationship. As India strives to become a global reservoir of highly skilled and technologically sophisticated manpower, we will witness an escalating technology transfer, collaborative joint research and development, and co-production of defense items between our two countries."

"This is a proud day for the highly skilled Boeing workforce and our newest customer to celebrate a major production milestone," said Bob Ciesla, Boeing Airlift vice president and C-17 program manager. "We are preparing for India’s first C-17 to enter flight test on schedule early next year, and we look forward to providing for India's current and future needs and continuing to support C-17s long after they are delivered."

Ambassador N. Parthasarathi, Consul General of India, San Francisco, drives a rivet into the first of 10 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft being built for India's Ministry of Defence during a ceremony with Boeing [NYSE: BA] today in Long Beach. Boeing, embassy, senior Indian Air Force and local elected officials marked the integration of the forward, center and aft fuselages and wing assembly, a major program milestone known as the "major join."
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bizjets101 · Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 9:13 am Post subject:

Southern California Spotters Facebook source.

PS; Happy New Year from Canada!! Enjoy your new C-17's !!!

747-237 · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 9:35 pm Post subject:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-indias-first-c-17-enters-flight-testing-381414/

India's first C-17 enters flight testing

India's first C-17 strategic transport has been delivered for flight testing at Edwards AFB in California, while Boeing says it remains on track to complete deliveries next year under the 10-aircraft acquisition.

Carrying the Indian air force registration CB-8001, the airlifter left the manufacturer's Long Beach final assembly site on 22 January. It had made its flight debut on 11 January, Boeing says.

New Delhi finalised its almost $1.8 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal for 10 C-17s in June 2012, with the purchase to give its air force the second largest fleet of the type in the world, behind the US Air Force's current 218 examples. The UK currently holds this status, with its Royal Air Force operating eight of the type.

"Boeing is on track to deliver four more C-17s to the Indian air force this year and five in 2014," the company says.

India's air force has also recently inducted six Lockheed Martin C-130Js acquired using the US government's FMS funding mechanism. The Hercules tactical transports are operated from the service's Hindon air base.

The airlifter is shown here on its Jan. 11 first flight.
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747-237 · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:18 am Post subject:

http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123333525

418th FLTS prepares to test India's first C-17 at Edwards

1/24/2013 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With Boeing's completion of the Indian Air Force's first C-17 heavy-lift aircraft in early January 2013, the 418th Flight Test Squadron became the first squadron to fly India's newest acquisition in order to begin testing it at Edwards.

The 418th FLTS flew the C-17, known as IN1, during a ferry flight from the Boeing factory in Long Beach, Calif., to Edwards on Jan. 22.

"We are very excited because this is the first foreign military sale C-17 tested by the 418th FLTS at Edwards. The Indian government requested an independent evaluation to show they are getting the best; most currently fielded C-17 available and the C-17 Integrated Test Team at the 418th Flight Test Squadron will do just that," said Shelly Huie, 412th TW C-17 ITT project manager.

During the aircraft's duration at Edwards, the test team will consist of discipline engineers, flight test engineers, test pilots, load masters, logistics professionals, program managers, and maintainers from within the Global Reach Combined Test Force.

"Most of the team for this test has been working together for years on various programs, so the teamwork is already well-developed - which is another great benefit the customer will receive by testing the aircraft here at Edwards," said Maj. Cory Naddy, 418th FLTS C-17 assistant director operations. "Specifically, for the India program, this team has been working over the last few months to hammer out the specific requirements of each test point."

In the next few weeks, the 418th FLTS side of the GRCTF will set about reviewing and approving flight and ground test cards.

"During this time, our maintainers, including Boeing support, will be working to modify the aircraft with instrumentation required to gather the data we need to complete the test. Following that modification, the aircraft will start ground and flight test. In this phase of the program, our C-17 flight test engineers, test pilots, loadmasters and discipline engineers will be working closely together to execute the approved test plan," Naddy said.

"Interestingly, there will be portions of the flight test phase that will require us to pull in other crewmembers and support from other aircraft to execute certain test points. All of these test points will require squadron leadership supervision and involvement. So, to put it simply, dedicated and in-depth teamwork from the entire GRCTF team will be necessary to get the India program to a satisfactory completion on the timeline projected," added Naddy.

According to Huie, IN1 is expected to be here for about two months to undergo aircraft inspection and routine flight testing.

"The testing has the potential to extend into mid-April, if needed; but the team expects most testing to be completed by mid-March," said Naddy. "Since this is the first foreign military sale C-17 tested by the 418th FLTS, it has introduced some new dynamics to our testing here and we hope that we will get to see other FMS programs roll through the GRCTF in the future."

The GRCTF at Edwards is the premiere test force for heavy aircraft, including KC-46, KC-10, and KC-135 tankers, C-17 and C-130 tactical airlift and C-5 strategic airlift. GRCTF personnel have been testing C-17 aircraft, components, and modifications for deployment to the operational mobility force since 1991.

Boeing plans to make 10 C-17s for the Indian Air Force.

The first C-17 heavy-lift aircraft built for the Indian Air Force arrived at Edwards Jan. 22.
The 418th Flight Test Squadron will begin aircraft inspection and routine flight testing for the next two months.

vivekman · Member Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 1897 Location: BOM

Isn't the IAF involved in the testing?

I would imagine a few pilots, engineers and load-masters would be sent to the US, for training/testing on the new type.
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shivendrashukla · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 3:39 pm Post subject:

747-237 · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 6:55 am Post subject:

http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/asd_02_05_2013_p02-01-544588.xml

Pratt Delivers First 10 Engines For Indian C-17s

February 05, 2013

Pratt & Whitney has delivered the first 10 F117 engines to Boeing to power a fleet of C-17 transport aircraft destined for the Indian air force (IAF).

India signed a $4.1 billion contract with the U.S. in 2011 for the aircraft, making the country the largest C-17 export customer. The two governments finalized the Foreign Military Sales contract last June.

The first of the C-17s is going through a U.S. Air Force flight test program at Edwards AFB, Calif.

“Boeing is on track to deliver four more C-17s to the IAF this year and five in 2014,” says Dennis Swanson, vice president of international business development for Boeing Defense, Space & Security in India.

The C-17 is powered by four F117 engines, each rated at 40,440 lb. of thrust.

“Pratt & Whitney is delighted to be delivering the first batch of engines that will power the IAF’s C-17 fleet and we’re pleased to have them join the growing international fleet that flies this premium airlifter,” says Bev Deachin, vice president for military programs and customer support at Pratt & Whitney.

747-237 · Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 6:56 am Post subject:

The Indian Air Force will receive five C-17 Globemaster III airlifters in 2013 and five in 2014.

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2582

747-237 · Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:42 am Post subject:

The Hindon airbase will get the first C-17 aircraft from the US in mid-June, with another two following in July.

All the 10 C-17 aircraft, contracted for $4.1 billion in mid-2011 under the largest defence deal inked with the US till now, will reach Hindon, on the outskirts of New Delhi, by June 2015.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Globemaster-to-add-to-IAFs-airlift-capabilities/articleshow/20400252.cms