New RAF C-17 aircraft touches down in the UK
by karen on May.29, 2012, under Avionics & Military, Displays News
A new C-17 transport aircraft has been unveiled today by the Defence Secretary at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Philip Hammond welcomed the £200m aircraft which arrived in the UK this week from Boeing’s production plant in California, USA.
This aircraft is the eighth C-17 in the RAF’s fleet. Known as ‘the workhorse of the RAF’, they play a vital role in sustaining the UK’s airbridge with Afghanistan – carrying supplies and passengers into and out of the country.
C-17s can fly for more than 4,500 nautical miles (8,334km), meaning they can fly directly from Helmand province to the UK.
As well as transporting troops and equipment, C-17s can also be converted rapidly to offer intensive care provision in support of the aeromedical airbridge.
The C-17′s huge capacity means it can carry loads weighing up to 70 tonnes – equating to three Warrior armoured vehicles, or even a Tornado fast jet.
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