Sustaining Australia’s C-17s for the long haul
On 1 October 2017, just three months after contract signature, Boeing Defence Australia achieved all initial activities to establish a local, cost-effective and flexible sustainment management program for the Royal Australian Air Force’s C-17 fleet.
For more than a decade, the Boeing-built C-17A Globemaster has played a critical role in the Australian Defence Force’s capacity for operational tasks, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance in Australia and around the world.
In September 2017, the C-17A Globemaster’s unique ability to take on long-haul, heavy payloads in unpredictable conditions enabled the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) to perform the first air-drop of critical supplies to researchers at Australia’s remote Antarctic Davis Research Station.
While the design, quality and reliability built into the C-17A enables the airlifter to achieve these vital missions, Boeing’s local efforts in the field play a critical role in ensuring the availability of Australia’s eight strategic transport aircraft.
“Our Boeing team has been working in close partnership with No. 36 Squadron since the first C-17A aircraft arrived at RAAF Base Amberley in 2006,” said Boeing Defence Australia Integrated Services and Support General Manager Murray Brabrook.
“To have stood up a significantly enhanced sustainment capability in such a short period of time is an incredible achievement and a testament to the C-17 team’s complete dedication to supporting our customer’s needs. Boeing is there to support the C-17 fleet 24 hours a day, seven days a week – ensuring Australia can rapidly deploy troops, supplies or equipment at a moment’s notice.”
Boeing Defence Australia was awarded the Australian C-17 Sustainment Services Contract for an initial five-year term with options out to the retirement of the aircraft. It includes management of services, provision of integration, engineering, and maintenance. This contract supplements Australia’s membership to the Boeing Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program.
