Senate backs Air Force deal to keep Boeing C-17 going

Source URL: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002617435_transport11.html
Posted at: http://www.air-attack/com/news/news_article/774

WASHINGTON — The Senate approved a measure Thursday that would keep open the production line for Boeing's C-17 transport plane.

An amendment to the defense-authorization bill, sponsored by Sens. Jim Talent, R-Mo., and Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., would authorize the Air Force to purchase up to 42 new C-17s and create a new structure for the Pentagon to assess the need to build more lift aircraft.

The C-17 program appeared in danger after a recent draft of the Defense Department's Mobility Capabilities Study recommended buying no C-17s beyond the 180 planned. With the last of the C-17s scheduled for delivery in 2008, production would start to wind down as soon as next year.

"The C-17 is the finest military transport in the world," said Talent, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "This amendment is crucial to ensure that the United States has the airlift we need to deploy and sustain our forces overseas."

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