Editing Boeing C-17 Globemaster III (section)

===Production and deliveries===
[[File:8th Airlift Squadron C-17A Globemaster III 90-0535.jpg|thumb|[[Paratrooper]]s dropping from a C-17 during a training exercise in 2010|alt=Two paratroopers dropping from a C-17 during an exercise]]

In 1996, the DoD ordered another 80 aircraft for a total of 120.<ref>Kilian, Michael. [https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/17166359.html?dids=17166359:17166359&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+01%2C+1996&author=Michael+Kilian%2C+Washington+Bureau.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=IN+RECORD+PROCUREMENT+U.S.+ORDERS+80+C-17S+PLANE+DEAL+GOOD+FOR+2%2C000+JOBS+IN+CALIFORNIA&pqatl=google "In Record Procurement U.S. Orders 80 C17s – Plane Good Deal for 2,000 jobs in California."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107202432/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/17166359.html?dids=17166359:17166359&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+01%2C+1996&author=Michael+Kilian%2C+Washington+Bureau.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=IN+RECORD+PROCUREMENT+U.S.+ORDERS+80+C-17S+PLANE+DEAL+GOOD+FOR+2%2C000+JOBS+IN+CALIFORNIA&pqatl=google |date=7 November 2012}} ''Chicago Tribune'', 1 July 1996.</ref> In 1997, McDonnell Douglas merged with domestic competitor Boeing. In April 1999, Boeing offered to cut the C-17's unit price if the USAF bought 60 more;<ref>Wallace, James. [https://web.archive.org/web/20081122153258/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-64094695.html "Boeing to cut price of C-17 if Air Force buys 60 more."] ''Seattle Post'', 2 April 1999.</ref> in August 2002, the order was increased to 180 aircraft.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/16/business/9.7-billion-us-deal-for-boeing-c-17-s.html "$9.7 Billion U.S. Deal for Boeing C-17's."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224215147/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/16/business/9.7-billion-us-deal-for-boeing-c-17-s.html |date=24 February 2017}} ''The New York Times'', 16 August 2002.</ref> In 2007, 190 C-17s were on order for the USAF.<ref>[http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/c17/c17news.html "Boeing Company Funds Extension."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907015006/http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/c17/c17news.html |date=7 September 2008}} ''Boeing'', 9 July 2008.</ref> On 6 February 2009, Boeing was awarded a $2.95 billion contract for 15 additional C-17s, increasing the total USAF fleet to 205 and extending production from August 2009 to August 2010.<ref name=Feb2009_contract>Trimble, Stephen. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/10/322315/usaf-signs-deals-for-15-more-c-17s-upgraded-c-5ms.html "Boeing in $3bn air force contract."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221001509/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/10/322315/usaf-signs-deals-for-15-more-c-17s-upgraded-c-5ms.html |date=21 February 2009}} ''Flight International'', 10 February 2009.</ref> On 6 April 2009, U.S. Secretary of Defense [[Robert Gates]] stated that there would be no more C-17s ordered beyond the 205 planned.<ref>Cole, August and [[Yochi Dreazen|Yochi J. Dreazen]]. "Pentagon Pushes Weapon Cuts." ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', 7 April 2009, p. 1.</ref> However, on 12 June 2009, the [[United States House Armed Services Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces|House Armed Services Air and Land Forces Subcommittee]] added a further 17 C-17s.<ref>Kreisher, Otto. [http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0609/061209cdpm1.htm "House panel reverses cuts in aircraft programs."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606134322/http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0609/061209cdpm1.htm |date=6 June 2011}} ''Congress Daily'', 12 June 2009.</ref>

Debate arose over follow-on C-17 orders, the USAF requested line shutdown while [[United States Congress|Congress]] called for further production. In [[Fiscal year|FY]]2007, the USAF requested $1.6 billion (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=1600000000|start_year=2007}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) in response to "excessive combat use" on the C-17 fleet.<ref name=avweek_20060313>Fulghum, D., A. Butler and D. Barrie. [http://awin.aviationweek.com/ArticlesStory.aspx?id=b9a164fd-807b-4404-8224-f386cc54691f"Boeing's C-17 wins against EADS' A400."] {{dead link|date=July 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ''[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]]'', 13 March 2006, p. 43.</ref> In 2008, USAF General [[Arthur Lichte]], Commander of [[Air Mobility Command]], indicated before a House of Representatives subcommittee on air and land forces a need to extend production to another 15 aircraft to increase the total to 205, and that C-17 production may continue to satisfy airlift requirements.<ref>Trimble, Stephen. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/04/04/222723/usaf-reveals-c-17-cracks-and-dispute-on-production-future.html "USAF reveals C-17 cracks and dispute on production future."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406082347/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/04/04/222723/usaf-reveals-c-17-cracks-and-dispute-on-production-future.html |date=6 April 2008}} ''Flightglobal.com'', 4 April 2008.</ref> The USAF finally decided to cap its C-17 fleet at 223 aircraft; the final delivery was on 12 September 2013.<ref>Mai, Pat. [http://www.ocregister.com/articles/boeing-524848-force-air.html "Air Force to receive its last C-17 today"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914024815/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/boeing-524848-force-air.html |date=14 September 2013}} "OrangeCountRegister.com",12 September 2013.</ref>

In 2010, Boeing reduced the production rate to 10 aircraft per year from a high of 16 per year, due to dwindling orders and to extend the production line's life while additional orders were sought. The workforce was reduced by about 1,100 through 2012, a second shift at the Long Beach plant was also eliminated.<ref>Vivanco, Fernando and Jerry Drelling. [http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1588 "Boeing C-17 Program Enters 2nd Phase of Production Rate and Work Force Reductions."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401160926/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1588 |date=1 April 2011}} ''Boeing Press Release'', 20 January 2011.</ref> By April 2011, 230 production C-17s had been delivered, including 210 to the USAF.<ref>Hoyle, Craig. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/04/19/355726/australia-to-get-fifth-c-17-in-august.html "Australia to get fifth C-17 in August."] ''Flightglobal'', 19 April 2011.</ref> The C-17 prototype "T-1" was retired in 2012 after use as a testbed by the USAF.<ref>Sanchez, Senior Airman Stacy. [https://www.edwards.af.mil/News/story/id/123090905/ "Edwards T-1 reaches 1,000 flight milestone."]  ''95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs'', 20 March 2008.</ref> In January 2010, the USAF announced the end of Boeing's performance-based logistics contracts to maintain the type.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/18/341939/why-is-usaf-bringing-maintenance-in-house.html "Why is USAF bringing maintenance in-house?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524004441/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/18/341939/why-is-usaf-bringing-maintenance-in-house.html |date=24 May 2010}} ''flightglobal.com'', 18 May 2005.</ref> On 19 June 2012, the USAF ordered its 224th and final C-17 to replace one that crashed in Alaska in July 2010.<ref>Miller, Seth and Michael C. Sirak. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121120160859/http://www.airforce-magazine.com/DRArchive/Pages/2012/June%202012/June%2020%202012/EndoftheLine.aspx "Likely End of the Line for The Air Force C-17 Production."]}} ''Air Force Magazine'', 20 June 2012.</ref>

In September 2013, Boeing announced that C-17 production was starting to close down. In October 2014, the main wing spar of the 279th and last aircraft was completed; this C-17 was delivered in 2015, after which Boeing closed the Long Beach plant.<ref>The World, Aviation Week and Space Technology, 4 August 2014, p. 10.</ref><ref>{{Citation |last= Meeks |first= Karen Robes |title= Long Beach's Boeing workers assemble final C-17, plan for an uncertain future |newspaper= [[Long Beach Press-Telegram]] |date= 24 February 2015 |url= http://www.presstelegram.com/business/20150224/long-beachs-boeing-workers-assemble-final-c-17-plan-for-an-uncertain-future |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150301105706/http://www.presstelegram.com/business/20150224/long-beachs-boeing-workers-assemble-final-c-17-plan-for-an-uncertain-future |archive-date= 1 March 2015 |url-status= live}}</ref> Production of spare components was to continue until at least 2017. The C-17 is projected to be in service for several decades.<ref>[http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/la-fi-boeing-long-beach-20130919-story.html#page=1 "Boeing to shut C-17 plant in Long Beach"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006100456/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/la-fi-boeing-long-beach-20130919-story.html#page=1 |date=6 October 2014}} ''Chicago Tribune'', 18 September 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130918/NEWS04/309180036/Boeing-end-C-17-production-2015 "Boeing to end C-17 production in 2015"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118230950/https://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130918/NEWS04/309180036/Boeing-end-C-17-production-2015/ |date=18 November 2018}}. Militarytimes.com, 18 September 2013.</ref> In February 2014, Boeing was engaged in sales talks with "five or six" countries for the remaining 15 C-17s;<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-boeing-confident-of-placing-unsold-c-17s-395826/ "Boeing confident of placing unsold C-17s"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222045950/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-boeing-confident-of-placing-unsold-c-17s-395826/ |date=22 February 2014}}. Flightglobal.com, 22 February 2014.</ref> thus Boeing decided to build ten aircraft without confirmed buyers in anticipation of future purchases.<ref name=gw2015/>

In May 2015, ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that Boeing expected to book a charge of under $100 million and cut 3,000 positions associated with the C-17 program, and also suggested that Airbus' lower cost [[Airbus A400M Atlas|A400M Atlas]] took international sales away from the C-17.<ref>Shukla, Tarun. "A forlorn end to California's aviation glory". ''The Wall Street Journal'', 6 May 2015, pp. B1-2.</ref>

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|+ C-17 yearly deliveries<ref>"C-17 Globemaster III Pocket Guide", The Boeing Company, Long Beach, CA, June 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.boeing.com/bds/deliveries.html "BDS Major Deliveries (current year)."] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311045032/http://www.boeing.com/bds/deliveries.html |date=11 March 2010}} ''Boeing'', March 2014. Retrieved: 5 April 2014.</ref>
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