Boeing 2006 Annual Report Download - page 87

AH-64D Apache Longbow The AH-64D Apache Longbow is the most
capable, survivable, deployable and maintainable
multi-mission combat helicopter in the world.
After completing U.S. government multiyear
contracts for 501 Apache Longbows, the U.S.
Army has contracted with Boeing for 27 new
Apache Longbows and 96 remanufactured
Apaches. Boeing began work on a nonrecurring
engineering contract to support upcoming Block
III AH-64D production. Boeing has delivered, is
under contract for or has been selected to
produce advanced Apaches for Egypt, Greece,
Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Singapore, The
Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates and
the United Kingdom. Several other nations are
considering the Apache Longbow for their
defense forces.
2006 deliveries: 74
737-700 Airborne Early Warning and
Control (AEW&C) System
Boeing signed a $1.59 billion contract in
November 2006 to provide four 737 AEW&C
systems for the Republic of Korea’s EX program.
The Boeing solution also includes ground-support
segments for flight and mission crew training,
mission support and aircraft and system modifi-
cation support. Airborne and ground radar test-
ing of one of six AEW&C aircraft for Australia’s
Project Wedgetail is continuing. The airborne
mission system is being installed on a second
aircraft, while two of the 737-700s are being
modified to the AEW&C configuration at a Boeing
facility in Australia. As part of its Peace Eagle
program, Turkey has signed a contract for
four 737 AEW&C aircraft. One is being modified
in Seattle, while two others are undergoing
modifications in Turkey to transform them into
AEW&C platforms.
Airborne Laser (ABL) Boeing is the prime contractor for ABL, a
directed-energy weapon system using speed-of-
light lethality to detect, track and destroy ballistic
missiles in their boost phase of flight, when they
are most vulnerable and before they deploy
countermeasures. ABL also cues other layers of
the global ballistic missile defense system. ABL’s
high-energy chemical laser and sophisticated
optics and battle-management segments are
being integrated on a Boeing 747-400F aircraft.
In 2006, the ABL team fully integrated the beam
control/fire control system inside the aircraft, and
added floor reinforcements and chemical-fuel
tanks to the back of the jet to prepare for
installing the chemical laser in 2007.
C-17 Globemaster III The C-17 Globemaster III is the most advanced,
versatile airlifter ever produced. Capable of long-
range transport of equipment, supplies and
troops with a maximum payload of 74,818 kilo-
grams (164,900 pounds), the C-17 can operate
from short, austere—even dirt—runways close
to the front lines. As the U.S. Air Force’s premier
airlifter, the C-17 is being used extensively during
Operation Iraqi Freedom, during which the C-17
conducted its first combat airdrop and set a new
single-day delivery record of 725,953 kilograms
(1.6 million pounds). C-17s also play an integral
role in global humanitarian relief efforts. Under a
multiyear procurement contract to design, build
and deliver 180 C-17s to the U.S. Air Force,
Boeing has delivered 159 aircraft through 2006,
with a follow-on order for an additional 10 U.S.
Air Force C-17s announced late in the same year.
In partnership with suppliers, the C-17 program
used Lean principles to help reduce the cost to
the U.S. Air Force for C-17s delivered in 2006 by
more than 20 percent from the previous contract,
while improving margins and adding significantly
more capability. On the international front, the
United Kingdom, NATO, Australia and Canada
have announced plans to acquire a total of
12 C-17s. Australia took delivery of its first
Globemaster III in November 2006.
2006 deliveries: 16
C-32A Executive Transport The C-32A is a Boeing 757-200 specially
configured for the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft
provides safe, reliable worldwide airlift for the
vice president, U.S. Cabinet members and other
U.S. government officials. Four C-32As currently
are in service, and Boeing is providing a major
communications upgrade to all four aircraft.
C-40 Clipper
C-40A
C-40B
C-40C
The C-40A Military Transport is a modified
737-700C whose mission is to provide airlift of
cargo and passengers to the fleet commanders.
It can be configured as an all-passenger, all-cargo
or combination passenger-cargo transport.
The U.S. Naval Reserve has contracted for nine
aircraft, and Boeing delivered the ninth aircraft
in May 2006.
The C-40B Combatant Commander Support
Aircraft is a specially modified Boeing Business
Jet (BBJ) that provides flexible, cost-effective,
high-performance airlift support for combatant
commanders and senior government leaders.
C-40B aircraft are equipped with an advanced
communications system that allows users to
send, receive and monitor real-time data commu-
nications worldwide in both secure and nonse-
cure modes. Four C-40Bs are currently in service
with the U.S. Air Force.
The C-40C Operational Support Aircraft is a
modified BBJ designed for U.S. government
personnel that can incorporate several team-
travel configurations. In 2002, the U.S. Air Force
contracted with Boeing to lease three C-40C
aircraft, which were delivered in 2002 and 2004.
Boeing is on contract for an additional three
aircraft to be delivered to the U.S. Air Force
Reserve Command in 2007.
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems James F. Albaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.
The Boeing Company and Subsidiaries 85
Selected Programs, Products and Services