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U.S. Naval Reserve Celebrates Delivery of First Boeing C-40A Clipper

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 21, 2001 -- Boeing today delivered the first C-40A Clipper - a modified 737-700 combi airplane - to the U.S. Naval Reserve Fleet's Logistics Support Squadron 59 at Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.

Clippers will replace the Naval Reserve's aging fleet of 29 C-9B Skytrains. A C-40A will fly higher, faster, farther and with a greater load than the C-9. With its modern engines and systems requiring far less maintenance than the aircraft they replace, the Clipper will significantly improve mission readiness rates.

A military version of the 737, the world's most popular jetliner, the C-40A is certified to operate in an all-passenger configuration (121 passengers), an all-cargo variant or a combination (combi) configuration that will accommodate up to three cargo pallets and 70 passengers on the main deck.

To produce the C-40A, Boeing and the Navy cooperated to ensure the aircraft meets or exceeds all of the customer's requirements and does so at an affordable price. That sort of cooperation was evident inside Boeing as well.

"The collaboration between two different Boeing groups - Commercial Airplanes and Military Aircraft and Missiles - has been exceptional," said Rich Reinheimer, C-40A program manager.

"From the manufacturing of the fuselage in Wichita, Kan., to the build-up of the airplane in Renton, Wash., to flight testing in Seattle, and finally to the combi modifications and certification in Wichita, this program provides us with an example of how people working together can achieve tremendous results," said Reinheimer.

Boeing has also established a similar teaming relationship on the support side. The Naval Reserve provides the line maintenance on the aircraft. Boeing, with its industry partner, Delta Air Lines, is on contract for three years of initial logistics support providing fleet management, spares management and heavy maintenance.

Three additional C-40A aircraft to be stationed in Fort Worth are being modified at Boeing in Wichita. The fifth and sixth aircraft on order by the Navy are scheduled for delivery in 2002 to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 58 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

Boeing has certified a commercial version, the 737-700C (Convertible) that will operate in two configurations: an all-passenger configuration and an all-cargo layout that can carry up to eight pallets.

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Contact Info:
Dina Weiss
office: (206) 655-8052

Lt. Cmdr. Lydia Robertson
Commander, Naval Reserve Force
(504) 678-1240