Clipper Of The Skies

摘要

Named after the famous sailing ships that transported people and cargo across the globe, the US Navy's Boeing C-40A Clipper (a military version of the 737-700), is excelling at just that. Purchased for the Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift (NUFEA) mission, the aircraft is replacing McDonnell Douglas C-9B Skytrain IIs (based on the DC-9-32) and DC-9-33s. Twenty of the former were purchased from the manufacturer and built to military specifications, while eleven of the latter were bought from the civilian market to bolster the fleet. With the first C-9B having entered service in 1973, the US Navy recognised the need to replace its remaining 29 aircraft serving with its reserve (VR) transport squadrons. To date only eleven C-40As have been ordered, the contract for the latest two being announced by the US Department of Defense on December 15. Nine aircraft have been delivered, with the new additions due to arrive in 2011.