🇺🇸 Will C-17 production resume?

US Air Force leadership is actively considering whether to restart production of the C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft. This is part of the emerging Next-Generation Airlift (NGAL) concept, intended to replace both the C-17A and C-5M Galaxy beginning in the mid-2040s.

Air Mobility Command (AMC) chief General Tulley confirmed that reopening Boeing’s assembly line, which closed in 2015, is being examined in detail. “All options are on the table,” he said.

Key questions concern whether the production tooling has been preserved, the total cost of restarting production, and whether extensively upgrading the C-17 would make more sense than developing an entirely new military transport aircraft. Such upgrades would include networking capabilities, self-defense systems, and improved fuel efficiency. In June, the US House Armed Services Committee directed the Air Force to prepare a formal report on the issue as part of the fiscal year 2027 defense policy bill.

RAND Corporation analysts previously estimated the cost of restarting production at $3.11 billion to $10.36 billion, depending on the extent of modifications to the C-17. Boeing hopes for co-financing from foreign operators, including Britain, Canada, Australia, and Gulf states, which could partially offset the costs.

Tanker aircraft can also carry cargo. The high operational tempo resulting from the conflict with Iran is placing considerable strain on existing transport and tanker fleets. This is compounded by problems with the KC-46. The Advanced Tanker Systems (ATS) program emphasizes survivability and network integration. Air Force leadership has suggested that a future tanker could be optionally crewed or fully unmanned, citing the US Navy’s progress with the MQ-25 Stingray. This would address aircrew shortages, but not the shortage of aircraft.

The paradox is that little has been heard about new US military transport aircraft development, even preliminary work. One exception is Radia’s proposed clean-sheet Windrunner heavy transport aircraft. Media outlets delicately describe the program as being “in the early stages of development,” which, in plain English, means “they’ve barely even started.” Other potential developers, both the industry giants and the startups so beloved by the Pentagon these days, seem to show little enthusiasm.

In practice, this leaves no alternative to restarting C-17 production. If the Air Force does face a shortage of cargo capacity, lengthy debates over where to find the money to restart production will follow. Under these circumstances, the Americans may begin losing ground in the military transport market, just as they are already losing ground in the tanker market.

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🚀 🇺🇸 🛰 From concept to reality.

SpaceX has successfully deployed Starlink V3 satellites into Earth’s orbit and made contact with them for the first time.

At scale, one Starship carries 60 V3 satellites, the same network capacity as about 20 Falcon 9 launches.

📎 Nic Cruz Patane

🇷🇺🇬🇧⚡️ — Russia warns the UK and NATO that any military action against Kaliningrad would trigger a response using all means at Moscow’s disposal, including nuclear weapons.

Moscow says it does not seek confrontation with NATO or Europe, but would respond if military action against Russian territory were initiated.

@Intelslava

🇺🇸🇮🇶 US forces exit Iraq by tomorrow after 20+ years, ending a presence where 4,500 Americans died.

Iran-backed groups call it "a historic victory" and "a crushing defeat for the American project."

Iraqi security officials warn the withdrawal is premature.

The last US soldier killed in Iraq died in July during a drone detonation near Erbil.

Seven of 18 US service members killed in this year's Iran war died in Iraq.

🔗 Clash Report