US Navy receives final two C-40A Clippers

US Navy Bring Total Boeing C-40As in Service to 17

The US Navy has received its final two Boeing C-40A Clipper logistical support aircraft. Delivery of these aircraft – a military derivative of the Boeing 737-700C – took place on September 26.

The US Navy already have 15 C-40As in operational service, with the additional two being ordered in 2018. The new aircraft - 169792 and 169793 - operate under Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 51 (VR-51) ‘Windjammers’ and VR-57 ‘Conquistadors’ respectively.

Talking about the delivery, CAPT Steve Nassau, PMA-207 Program Manager, said: "The C-40 plays an important role in the Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift (NUFEA) fleet... These extremely flexible logistics support aircraft are an integral part of every type of maritime mission, from humanitarian assistance to long-range, high priority deliveries.” 

Boeing C-40A Clipper BuNo 166693
Boeing C-40A Clipper BuNo 166693, assigned to VR-51 'Windjammers' at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, after arriving there in May 2019. USMC/PFC Samantha Sanchez

Last month saw the official activation of a new C-40A squadron, VR-51 'Windjammers’, which will operate from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The unit began receiving aircraft earlier in the year and is expected to be fully operational by the end of October.

The US Navy has stated that "over the past year, the C-40 fleet logged 24,374 hours of flight time, completed 1,555 missions, transported 95,746 passengers and 20,012,934 tons of cargo. In doing so, the aircraft has maintained a 90% readiness rating."

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