US Air Force studies whether C-17 production could be restarted

The U.S. Air Force is looking at whether Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III could be put back into production, as it works out how to meet its future airlift requirements. Lt. Gen. Daniel Tulley, who leads Air Mobility Command, said the question will be taken up in an analysis of alternatives for the next generation of airlift.

That review is expected to weigh several paths for the C-17 and the C-5 Galaxy, including extending their service lives or replacing them. Boeing shut the C-17 line in 2015, having delivered 279 of the type to U.S. and overseas operators; the company has more recently signalled it might be open to building again. Tulley said no decision has been taken, and that both the expense and the feasibility of reviving the manufacturing operation are unresolved.

He framed the difficulty in practical terms, asking whether an assembly line can be brought back at all once it has been shut down, and whether the tooling and other equipment were kept in storage for that purpose.

The Air Force flies 222 C-17s from 17 bases, according to the service's airlift office. The aircraft is still its main strategic airlifter for troops and equipment. Current upgrade work covers new head-up displays, satellite communications and countermeasures.

Tulley also said the service is looking at capabilities for a future aircraft, among them better self-protection, more network connectivity and possibly greater autonomy.