$26M to C-17 GRIP Program to Prepare for Fleet-Wide Block 14-17 Upgrades

C-17 Globemaster Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas Corp. in Long Beach, CA received a $26.8 million cost-plus fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract modification to provide for calendar year 2007 Global Reach Improvement Program nonrecurring engineering and technical support for C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift transports. This effort shall define and integrate retrofit work packages to facilitate retrofit of the USA’s C-17 aircraft to a homogeneous configuration with the incorporation of Block 14 through Block 17 upgrades. The Headquarters Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH issued the contract (FA8614-04-C-2004/P00102). GlobalSecurity.org notes that Block 13-14 has software modifications and improved station-keeping equipment used in flying formation with testing scheduled to be complete in 2004. Block 15 is planned to contain the upgraded on-board inert gas generating system along with navigation and safety modifications. Block 16 will contain an avionics modernization package and a weather radar modification with testing to be complete in 2006. Additional enhancements, modifications, and corrections to existing deficiencies are concurrent and include a fuel system retrofit, main landing gear deficiency corrections, and a wheel brake and tire cost saving initiative.