Boeing Eyes Narrower C-17Boeing plans to provide more detail on its C-17FE concept at Farnborough.
The “FE,” 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, says Tommy Dunehew, Boeing’s C-17 business development representative.
The goal is to meet the nominal Joint Future Theater Lift program. The concept "is fairly advanced," with the same engines, tails, and wing, Dunehew says.
The Army and Air Force would impact the design as requirements would evolve. But the goal is to meet 99% of the JFTL requirement with the C-17FE.
The concept effectively supplants the C-17B concept.
It will be brought down by a daisy bb gun and it will break in two pieces if it has to land where a C130 has steep decline requirements... other than that... it will be great!
LLS