Boeing and British Aerospace, along with Rolls-Royce, are believed to be studying a potential RB211-535E4-powered C-17 as part of the US company's bid to supply up to 25 aircraft to the UK Royal Air Force.
The C-17 is being offered for the second tranche of the RAF's Future Transport Aircraft (FTA) C-130 replacement programme. The request for proposals was issued on 31 July to Airbus, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin and a bidders' conference was held in the UK on 16 September, at which the RB211 option is believed to have been discussed.
The FTA requirement is in addition to that for four "C-17 equivalent" aircraft for a short-term strategic airlifter (STSA), for which a separate competition is being held (Flight International, 7-13 October). A bidders' conference for this requirement is due to be held in the UK on 23 October.
Boeing declines to comment on the possibility of re-engineing, which was previously ruled out by McDonnell Douglas on the basis that the small numbers would make the effort too costly. The UK company says that its engine would be around 2,200kg (4,850lb) lighter than the current Pratt & Whitney F117-PW100 and offer significant savings through lower life costs.
The original studies have been reconsidered following the increased UK interest in the C-17 for both requirements. "It would only make sense if there were between 20 and 25 aircraft," say industry sources close to the team.
To date, there is no clear-cut offset requirement on non-UK solutions, although the use of R-R engines would give an incentive to select the C-17. The Boeing-led team is focused heavily on the STSA requirement and is backing up its bid by offering more commercial 7-series airliner subcontract work to UK companies.
R-R declines to specify its involvement in the competition. "We are in discussion with a number of airframe manufacturers relating to STSA," it says.
Source: Flight International