美 Boeing 社, C-17FE (Fuel Efficient) 개발 계획 소식...

 

지난 주 AW&ST 에 보도된 美 Boeing 社가 기존 C-17 Globemaster III 수송기의 경량화 모델, (가칭) C-17FE 개발을

검토하고 있다는 기사를 소개합니다. 아직 Boeing 으로부터 C-17FE 관련 공식적인 발표는 없다는 점 참조바랍니다.

 

C-17FE 의 FE 는 fuel efficient 라는 뜻으로써, 동체의 폭을 줄이고, composite 소재를 다량으로 적용한 기존 C-17 의

경량화 모델로 이해가 되며, 한편으론 이미 단종이 된 Lockheed 社의 C-141 Starlifter 와 비슷한 모양이지 않을까 하는

개인적인 생각이 듭니다.

 

C-17FE 의 개발 목적은 향후 미 공군이 추진할 것으로 예상되는 JFTL (Joint Future Theater Lift) 개발사업에 참여하기

위함이라 합니다. 아직 JFTL 사업이나, C-17FE 개발에 대한 공식적인 발표가 없는 상황에서, 2012년 이후 혹은 2013년

중반 이후에는 C-17 생산라인이 폐쇄될 것으로 예상되는 가운데서, C-17 생산라인을 유지하고자 하는 Boeing 의 노력

의 하나로 이러한 C-17FE 개발 가능성 소식이 흘러나온 것으로 판단됩니다.

 

한편 인도가 10대의 C-17 을 구매하기로 했다는 보도는 여러차례 있었으며, 미 의회로 부터 FMS 방식에 의한 수출승인

도 올해 초 이루어졌습니다. 그러나 인도의 자국산 통신장비 장착에 대한 이견이 있어, 이에 대한 최종 조율이 진행중인

것으로 알려지고 있습니다.

 

끝으로 아래 기사에는 인도가 도입할 것으로 예상되는 Lockheed Martin 社의 기상관측정찰기 WC-130J 에 대한 언급도

있습니다.

 

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Lifting Fortunes

Boeing ponders C-17 derivative, but exports hold the most promise

Aviation Week &Space Technology, 06/28/2010

Authors: Neelam Mathews, Robert Wall and Andy Nativi

 

Boeing is once again renewing proposals for a C-17 derivative to try to maintain its military airlifter business line.

 

The latest iteration is the C-17FE concept. The “FE,” which stands for fuel efficient, would have a narrower fuselage by several feet than the aircraft now in production. It also would involve lightening of the structure through use of composites. The goal is to meet the nominal Joint Future Theater Lift (JFTL) program threshold.

 

U.S. Army/Air Force directives would impact the design as their needs evolve. But the ultimate aim is to meet 99% of the JFTL requirement with the C-17FE.

 

The concept “is fairly advanced,” with the same engines, tails and wing, says Tommy Dunehew, vice president for global mobility systems business development. Still, Boeing is reluctant to disclose too many details for fear of tipping off rivals in the JFTL effort.

 

The FE concept effectively supplants the C-17B design. It represents Boeing’s primary C-17 evolution effort, with plans for the commercial cargo offering that could be FAA-certified by removing some military features that are now largely on hold.

 

Even so, the near-term focus remains on export potential for the airlifter and that is where the Indian campaign is key. Approval of India’s C-17 purchase is still expected this year. Having those aircraft on contract would allow Boeing to keep production of the airlifter alive past the scheduled September 2012 line shutdown, set to occur once the current foreign orders are delivered and the last of the 223 C-17s for the U.S. Air Force is handed over. Boeing believes there are 30-50 more international C-17 orders that may be secured if they can just keep the line open. Chris Chardwick, president of Boeing Military Aircraft, is confident that if the line stays open long enough, the U.S. Air Force may come back for more aircraft while it mulls the future of the C-5 fleet.

 

India and the U.S. have not signed a Communications, Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement that would allow India to acquire advanced communications equipment and basic exchanges for geospatial data, but Dunehew does not believe that would be a stumbling block.

 

The Indian deal would likely contribute to two more years of production. To further stretch the life of the production line, Boeing is slowing the build of C-17s from a rate of 15 aircraft per year. It will still deliver 14 this year — from a peak of 15 before. Production will cover 13 units in 2011, then 10 in 2012, says Dunehew. The goal is to keep pricing flat, even at the lower rate.

 

A candidate for further orders is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an operator of a three-aircraft fleet. Dunehew sees an opportunity for the fleet to double. With the fate of the Airbus Military A400M airlifter on a firmer footing in Europe, Boeing anticipates that countries that had been opposed to a larger NATO C-17 fleet — in part to protect the A400M — will no longer block such an expansion.

 

Dunehew is even optimistic about replicating such an arrangement in Asia, particularly among the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. The political hurdles in Asia remain more complex, though, than those in Europe.

 

Dunehew says discussions are underway with five to six customers; India’s proposed deal is in the most advanced stage. South Africa also is seen as a candidate now that it has pulled out of the A400M effort.

 

The Indian market is proving to be a boon for many contractors. Lockheed Martin officials now say the country is looking into in the company’s WC-130J weather reconnaissance aircraft. Such a deal would be in addition to a planned purchase of six C-130Js for the Indian air force later this year.

 

With its own severe tropical storms to track, India has the same need for aircraft like the WC-130J as the so-called Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Sqdn. of the 403rd Wing, which uses the aircraft to track storms over the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic and Pacific oceans from Kessler AFB, Miss. “There is a huge interest from the Indian air force for the WC-130, which is readily available,” says Lockheed Martin CEO-India Roger Rose. “Since we [already] are contracted with the C-130J, it could be a follow-on [order].” Clearance would be much easier to obtain, he says, since it is a variant of the C-130J.

 

Lockheed Martin’s hopes are raised by the fact the India-Russian UAC/HAL Il-214 twin-engine transport development (led by the Ilyushin Design Bureau) is not viewed as a suitable platform for the weather reconnaissance mission. 

 

 

  C-17 Globemaster III ⓒ USAF

 

  C-17 Globemaster III ⓒ USAF

 

  C-17 Globemaster III ⓒ USAF

 

  C-141 Starlifter ⓒ USAF

 

  C-141 Starlifter ⓒ USAF