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Air Force Designates New C-17 Airlifter "Spirit of Connecticut"

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn., October 12, 2001 -- The U.S. Air Force today honored the thousands of Connecticut men and women who have contributed to the C-17 strategic airlifter program by designating its newest C-17 "Spirit of Connecticut."

The giant four-engine airplane is powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117 engines and uses a variety of systems and components built by Hamilton Sundstrand and Kaman Aerospace, two other leading Connecticut aerospace companies. In addition smaller firms throughout the state are suppliers for the Boeing aircraft.

The "Spirit of Connecticut" was formally dedicated at ceremonies held at the Connecticut Air National Guard Facility led by General Charles T. Robertson, commander-in-chief of U.S. Transportation Command and commander of the USAF Air Mobility Command. The C-17 is actively involved in anti-terrorist actions, flying both military supply and humanitarian relief missions in Afghanistan.

"These are very difficult times for our nation. We are fighting a new kind of war in a new way," said Louis Chênevert, president of Pratt & Whitney. "Fortunately we have a remarkable aircraft that is perfectly matched to the challenge. The C-17 can deliver troops and equipment to the front lines in a combat mission, or food and medicine to people in need in a humanitarian mission."

Also on hand for the ceremony was Jerry Daniels, president of Boeing Military Aircraft, which builds the C-17.

"This jet has become an indispensable part of our nation’s airlift fleet," Daniels said. "And that is because of you the people of Pratt & Whitney and the other great companies represented here today who design and build this magnificent airlifter."

The C-17 Globemaster III is 174 feet long, 55 feet high and has a wingspan of 169 feet. Each of its four Pratt & Whitney F117 engines develops 40,000 pounds of thrust. The aircraft can carry 170,000 pounds of cargo. It can deliver its payload on unimproved fields, landing in a distance of only 1500 feet and stopping in four seconds.

Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies company (NYSE:UTX), is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines.

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