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Technology update
Navy C-40A makes first flight
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The C-40A airlifter takes off from Renton Municipal Airport, WA, for its first flight, which lasted for 2 hours, 15 minutes before landing at Boeing Field.
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The Boeing C-40A airlifter has recently made its first flight, taking off from Renton Municipal Airport in Renton, WA. It landed two hours, 15 minutes later at Boeing Field where the aircraft will remain for the next five months for flight testing, upgrades, and final checkout. The aircraft, a converted 737-700, was purchased by the U.S. Naval Reserve to begin replacing its fleet of C-9 airlifters. The Naval Reserve Fleet Logistics Support Wing currently operates a fleet of 27 C-9 Combi aircraft, providing high-priority cargo and passenger airlift for the U.S. Navy fleet worldwide. The aircraft are operated by seven Naval Reserve units nationwide and provide up to 85% of the worldwide airlift requirements for the entire Navy.
The C-40A will be certified to operate in three configurations – an all-passenger (121); all-cargo of up to eight pallets; or a combination that will accommodate up to three cargo pallets and 70 passengers. The aircraft will be powered by two CFM56-7 engines produced by CFM
International, a joint-venture between General Electric Aircraft Engines and Snecma. The engines, which are rated at 24,000 lb of thrust, will meet noise restrictions well below Stage 3 levels. The Boeing 737-700 has a high cruise speed – between Mach 0.78 and Mach 0.82 – and a range of up to 3000 nmi.
In August 1997, the Navy awarded Boeing a $111 million contract for two 737-700 increased gross weight Combi aircraft. Options to purchase a third and fourth aircraft were exercised the following two years. Delivery of the first C-40A is scheduled for early 2001.
Frank Bokulich
Aerospace Engineering July 2000
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