Boeing delivered the first of three modified C-40C transport aircraft to the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) in February. The 932nd and 375th Airlift Wings will use the aircraft, a derivative of the Next-Generation 737-700 Boeing Business Jet, to transport congressional delegations and senior government personnel on official business. The modifications include military avionics that augment the commercial flight deck; a rewired interior that accommodates satellite communications equipment for passenger use; an interior that comprises 40 business-class
seats, two work areas with conference tables and accommodations for 11 crew members; and auxiliary fuel tanks that extend the aircraft’s range to about 4,400 nautical miles. “To facilitate the assembly process, we leveraged the company’s commercial 737 investment and infrastructure,” said Ron Marcotte, vice president and general manager of Boeing Global Mobility Systems. “We then spent nine months modifying the aircraft to meet our AFRC customer’s unique military and mission requirements, while retaining as much of the commercial aircraft as possible.”