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Boeing C-40A Clipper (737-700C)

Type
Passenger and cargo transport (Passagier- und Frachtflugzeug)

Country (Land)
USA

Manufacturer (Hersteller)
Boeing Aircraft & Missile Systems Group
PO Box 3707
Seattle, WA 98124

Phone: 001-206/655-6091
Fax: 001-206/655-5794

General (Allgemeine Angaben)
Crew (Besatzung): 2
Passengers (Passagiere): 121 or 70 in a combi configuration with three pallets in the front
Cargo capacity (Fracht): 8 cargo pallets on the main deck plus 28,4 cu m (1002 cu ft) in lower holds

Power plant (Antrieb): 2 x CFM International CFM56-7 turbofans under wing
Thrust (Schub): 106,8 kN (24000 lbs) at sea level

Dimensions (Abmessungen)
Length (Länge): 33,60 m
Height (Höhe): 12,55 m
Span (Spannweite): 34,29 m
Wing area (Flügelfläche): 125 sq m

Cabin width (Kabinenbreite): 3,48 m
Cabin height (Kabinenhöhe): 2,13 m
Cabin floor area (Kabinenfläche): 75,1 sq m

Weights (Massen)
Operating weight empty (Einsatz-Leermasse): about 38000 kg
Cargo capacity (Frachtzuladung): 18655 kg
Fuel (Kraftstoff): 26033 litres
Max. Zero fuel weight (Max. Masse ohne Kraftstoff): 57153
Max. ramp weight (Max. Rollmasse): 77792 kg
Max. take-off weigth (Max. Startmasse): 77565 kg
Max. landing weight (Max. Landemasse): 60782

Performance (Flugleistungen)
Cruise speed (Reisegeschwindigkeit): Mach 0.785 / 941 km/h
Max. Mach number (Max. Machzahl): Mach 0.82 / 989 km/h
Certified operating altitude (Dienstgipfelhöhe): 41000 ft (12500 m)
Range (Reichweite):
- 5555 km with 121 passengers or 9072 kg of cargo
- 5324 km with cargo

Customers (Kunden)
By November 2003, the US Naval Reserve had ordered eight of the C-40A Clippers. They are replacing the C-9B Skytrains. First bases are:

Carswell Joint Reserve Base, Ft. Worth (Texas), from April 2001: three aircraft were at the base by November 2003
Naval Air Station Jacksonville (Florida): three aircraft were at the base by November 2003

The next deliveries are planned for late 2004 and then one in 2005. Boeing hopes that the Navy will replace its complete, 29 strong C-9 fleet over time with the C-40A.

Costs (Kosten)
The first four aircraft cost a total of 205,6 million US-Dollars.

Remarks (Bemerkungen)
The C-40A Clipper is part of the Boeing 737 New Generation family. It is the military equivalent of the 737-700C variant and features

the strengthened wing of the Boeing BBJ
a strengthened undercarriage
a 3,35 x 2,13 m cargo door on the right fuselage side in front of the wing
cargo handling systems in the cabin and a strengthened floor

The C-40A will operate in three configurations: all-passenger (121), all-cargo with up to eight pallets, or combi with up to three pallets and 70 passengers.
The C-40As are built in Renton, Washington, and then sent to Wichita, Kansas for modifications and certification. Initial logistcs support (3 years to mid 2004) is provided by Boeing and its industry partner Delta Air Lines.
The US Air Force also operates C-40 B/C to provides safe, comfortable and reliable transportation for U.S. leaders to locations around the world. The C-40B's primary customers are the combatant commanders and C-40C customers include members of the Cabinet and Congress. The aircraft also perform other operational support missions. These aircraft lack the large cargo door of the C-40A.

History (Geschichte)
On August 29, 1997, the Navy awarded Boeing an 111 million US-Dollar contract for two 737-700 Increased Gross Weight combi aircraft. In June 1998, the Navy exercised an option to purchase a third aircraft for 44,5 million, and in July 1999 a fourth aircraft for 50,1 million US-Dollars. The fifth order came in June 2000.
Boeing installed the main-deck cargo door on the first C-40A in November 1999 at the Wichita plant. The wings and fuselage were joined at the Renton plant in January 2000.
The C-40A made its first flight from Renton Municpal Airport on April 14, 2000 and landed at Boeing Field after 2 hours and 15 minutes. The second followed in July. The two aircraft conducted 55 flights (131 hours) and 124 hours of ground testing (including cargo door) to obtain basic FAA certification on 31 August 2000. The interior passenger and cargo configurations were to be certified later.
After a formal roll-out ceremony for the Naval Reserve at Seattle on 9 September 2000, the C-40A flew to Wichita for modifications that allow it to be flown in the combi configuration.
On 21 April 2001, Boeing delivered the first C-40A Clipper to the U.S. Naval Reserve Fleet's Logistics Support Squadron 59 at Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. "The collaboration between two different Boeing groups — Commercial Airplanes and Military Aircraft and Missiles - has been exceptional," said Rich Reinheimer, C-40A program manager.
The U.S. Naval Reserve Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 58, based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., got their first C-40A Clipper on 28 October 2002.
The eighth C-40A Clipper was ordered in November 2003 for the Unique Fleet Essential Airlift Replacement Aircraft programme.

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Last updated 5 December 2003

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