Military Aircraft Directory: Boeing

BOEING

Manufacturer	PWR	Max TD	Max TR	WS	FL	Max RF	Max Kts/Mach	H	Max OC	Max Pay.	C	P	Max WLE	E	CR Max PNR
B-52H Stratofortress Bomber/interdictor		75.6kN		56.4	49.1	16,093	M 0.9		55,000		6		31500
8 x Pratt & Whitney TF33 3 Turbofan
Range unrefuelled
Boeing 767-27C AWACS Special mission - AEW		273kN		47.6	48.5		432kt		34,000		2			8hrs
2 x GE Aircraft Engines CF6 80C2 Turbofan
Endurance at 1,000nm radius or 12h at 300nm radius without refuel
E-3 Sentry Special mission - AEW		107kN		44.4	46.6	9,266	460kt		35,000		4			11hrs
4 x CFM International CFM56 2A Military Turbofans/Jets
Range unrefuelled; Capacity E-3A 4 crew + 13 AWACS specialists; E-3B&C 4 crew + 17 AWACS specialists
E-6A Special mission - Electronics/Reconnaissance		107kN		45.2	46.6	11,750	530kt		42,000					15h 24min	1145
4 x CFM International CFM56 2A Military Turbofans/Jets
Range unrefuelled
AV-8B Harrier II Attack		97.9kN		9.3	14.5		M 0.87	9	45,000		1		6000		1110
1 x Rolls-Royce Pegasus 11-21/61 Military Turbofans/Jets
C-17A Globemaster III Long-range transport		185.5kN		51.8	53.0	8,659			45,000	77,293		102	77560
4 x Pratt & Whitney F117 100 Military Turbofans/Jets
Can ferry, 102 troops/paratroopers. Additional palletised could be substituted for additional seating
F/A-18E Hornet Fighter/attack		62.27kN	97.86kN	13.7	18.4		M 1.8	11	74,405		1		8051		1188
2 x GE Aircraft Engines F414 400 Military Turbofans/Jets
F/A-18C Hornet Fighter/attack			74kN	12.3	17.1		M 1.8		74,405		1		6758		846
2 x GE Aircraft Engines F404 400 Military Turbofans/Jets
F-15C Eagle Interceptor/air superiority		64.9kN	105.7kN	13.1	19.4		M 2.5						8160		2878
2 x Pratt & Whitney F100 220 Military Turbofans/Jets
F-15E Eagle Attack		64.9kN	105.7kN	13.1	19.4			9	60,040
2 x Pratt & Whitney F100 220 Military Turbofans/Jets
F/A-18C Hornet Fighter/attack		53kN	79kN	12.3	17.1		M 1.8	9	74,405		1		6758		846
2 x GE Aircraft Engines F404 402 Military Turbofans/Jets
KC-10 Extender Long-range transport		233kN		50.4	55.4
3 x GE Aircraft Engines CF6 50C2 Turbofan
B1B Lancer Bomber Interdictor		136.6kN		41.7	44.8	9,000	M 1.25						34019
4 x GE Aircraft Engines F101 102 turbofan
Range unrefuelled

Abbreviations: PWR-Power, Max TD-Thrust dry, Max TR-Thrust re-heat, WS-Wingspan, FL-Fuselage length, Max RF-Max range (km), H-Hardpoints, Max OC-Max Operating Ceiling, Max Pay.-Max Payload, C-Crew, P-Pax, Max WLE-Max Load External (warload) (kg), E-Endurance, CR Max PNR-Combat Radius Max Payload No-Refuel.

 

Boeing Defense & Space Group, PO Box 3999, Seattle 98124-2499, Washington, USA; Tel:+1 206 657 1380, Fax:+1 206 773 3900

737

A quick-change version of Boeing's Next Generation 737-700 was selected in 1997 to replace the US Navy's McDonnell Douglas C-9 transports. Two aircraft, with increased gross weights and forward cargo-doors, will be delivered in 2001 against a requirement for up to 27 examples.

Australia has been offered an AEW&C aircraft based on the Boeing Business Jet, a hybrid of the 737-700 and -800, equipped with a dorsal-mounted Northrop Grumman electronically scanned-array radar.

Earlier versions of the 737 are in service with the USAF as the T-43 navigation trainer and with Indonesia as the maritime-patrol 737 Surveiller, equipped with a dorsal-mounted Motorola side-looking radar.

747

A Boeing-led team was awarded a $1.1 billion USAF contract in November 1996 to develop the Airborne Laser (ABL), a modified 747-400F carrying a high-energy laser designed to shoot down theatre ballistic missiles in the boost phase, at ranges up to 600km.

One YAL-1A prototype will be flight-tested in 2001-2 and plans call for a fleet of seven aircraft to be operational by 2008. The ABL 747 will be equipped with a 2.64m-diameter nose turret housing the beam-steering optics for the chemical oxygen-iodine laser.

The 747 is already in USAF service as the VC-25A Presidential transport (two 747-200s) and the E-4B airborne command-post (four 747-200s). The Japan Air Self-Defence Force operates two 747-400s as VIP transports.

757

Four 757-200s were ordered by the USAF in 1997 as part of the VC-X programme to replace 707-based C-137 VIP transports. Delivery of the aircraft, designated C-32A, began in mid-1998. Boeing operates a 757 as an avionics flying testbed for the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22. The aircraft is fitted with an F-22 nose for testing of the Northrop Grumman APG-77 radar, and it will be equipped with a "sensor wing" in 1998 for flight tests of the complete avionics.

767

The first two of four 767 Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force, designated E-767s, were delivered in March 1998. Two more will be delivered in early 1999. The 767 AWACS has been shortlisted also for a South Korean requirement for four aircraft, but procurement has been delayed.

Based on the 767-200ER, the aircraft is equipped with the upgraded mission system under development for the E-3 Sentry, including the Northrop Grumman APY-2 radar with rotodome-mounted antenna. Time on station is 10h at 550km radius, and the aircraft has the space to carry a mission crew of 18.

Boeing is offering other military derivatives of the 767, including a tanker/transport variant. Israel's Elta, meanwhile, is offering South Korea a 767-based AEW aircraft, equipped with its Phalcon phased-array radar.

B-1 LANCER

Now a Boeing product, the former Rockwell B-1B is undergoing an upgrade to increase its conventional-weapons capability. Cluster-munition capability has been added, and later upgrades will add the Joint Direct Attack Munition (early 1999), Wind-Corrected Munition Dispenser (early 2002), and Joint Stand-Off Weapon and Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (late 2002). The Raytheon ALE-50 towed decoy will be added beginning in late 1998.

B-52 STRATOFORTRESS

Boeing has proposed re-engineing the US Air Force's remaining B-52Hs with leased R-R RB211-535E4 turbofans. Four 192kN RB211s would replace eight twin-podded 75kN P&W TF33s, increasing thrust, reducing fuel consumption and improving reliability.

B-52H armament includes the Boeing AGM-86 Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile and Lockheed Martin/Rafael AGM-142 Have Nap stand-off weapon.

C-17 GLOBEMASTER III

Production is under way of an additional 80 former McDonnell Douglas C-17A transports purchased under a multi-year contract signed in 1996, which resulted in substantial cost reductions over the initial batch of 40 for the USAF. Delivery of the planned fleet of 120 aircraft will be completed in 2005.

The UK, which has established a requirement for buy or lease four C-17s or their equivalent, could become the first export customer. Boeing, meanwhile, has started work on a commercial version, dubbed the MD-17.

Designed to replace the Lockheed C-141, the C-17 was first flown in September 1991. The aircraft is powered by four 181kN P&W F117 turbofans (military PW2000s) and can carry a 72,500kg payload almost 4,500km. Several C-17 derivatives are being studied, including a tanker/transport version and various stretches of the basic airframe.

E-3 SENTRY

E-3s are being updated to improve the ability of the Northrop Grumman APY-1 and -2 radars to detect targets with small radar cross-sections. Other upgrades involve the mission computer, operator consoles, and communications, navigation and identification systems.

Under the Extend Sentry programme, Boeing is studying retrofitting E-3s with the flightdeck from the Next Generation 737, complete with flat-panel displays. In late 1998, an E-3 will flight-test the Eagle infra-red search- and-track sensor and laser rangefinder, designed to detect and track theatre ballistic-missiles.

Based on the 707 airframe, and powered by P&W TF33s, the E-3 entered service in 1977 and 34 were delivered to the USAF and 18 to NATO. Re-engined with CFM International CFM56 turbofans, a further five were delivered to Saudi Arabia (plus eight KE-3 tankers), four to France and seven to the UK.

E-6 MERCURY

Raytheon Systems delivered the first E-6B to the US Navy in May 1997. The E-6B combines the TACAMO submarine-communications mission of the original E-6A with the Looking Glass airborne command-post role performed by USAF Boeing EC-135s. Options have been placed to convert four additional aircraft to E-6Bs. Boeing has proposed upgrading the E-6 with the flightdeck from the Next Generation 737.

Based on the E-3 airframe, and powered by four CFM International CFM56 turbofans, the E-6 was first flown in June 1987 and 16 were delivered to the USN.

F-4 PHANTOM II

Built by McDonnell Douglas, the F-4 remains in service with several air forces. Daimler-Benz Aerospace is to upgrade 39 Greek F-4Es, modelled on its Improved Combat Effectiveness programme for the German air force, installing Elbit avionics and Raytheon APG-65 radar. Israel Aircraft Indus-tries is upgrading 54 Turkish F-4Es, modelled on its Phantom 2000 programme for the Israeli air force, including new computer, displays, electronic-warfare suite and Elta EL/M-2032 multi-mode radar.

F-15 EAGLE

Deliveries OF 25 F-15I Thunders to the Israeli air force began in November 1997, deliveries of 72 F-15S strike aircraft to Saudi Arabia having begun in September 1995. Both are versions of the former McDonnell Douglas F-15E two-seat strike variant. The USAF, meanwhile, has ordered 12 of a planned 24 additional F-15Es, having received the last of the original 209 aircraft in July 1994. Greece and South Korea are also considering the F-15.

Flight testing of an improved Raytheon APG-63(V)1 radar for the F-15C/D began in July 1997, and some of the 400-plus aircraft still in USAF service are scheduled to be upgraded. Boeing is evaluating other potential upgrades, including new mission computer and flat-panel displays.

The F-15 was first flown in July 1972 and McDonnell Douglas built 894 F-15A/B/C/Ds, including 52 for Israel and 74 for Saudi Arabia. Mitsubishi is licence-producing F-15J/DJs in Japan against a requirement for 213.

F/A-18 HORNET/super hornet

USN procurement of the upgraded F/A-18E/F Super Hornet was cut from 1,000 aircraft to a minimum of 548 by the US Department of Defense's 1997 Quadrenniel Defence Review. If deployment of the Joint Strike Fighter is delayed beyond 2008-10, the Navy can increase E/F procurement to a maximum of 785 aircraft. Low-rate production was approved in March 1997, the first production F/A-18E will be delivered in late 1998, and initial operational capability is scheduled for 2001.

The former McDonnell Douglas F/A-18E/F was first flown in November 1995 and initial sea trials were conducted in January 1997. The E/F is a structural upgrade of the F/A-18 and is 25% larger, with 33% more internal fuel. Two 79kN GE F414s provide 35% more thrust than the F/A-18C/D's GE F404s.

The two-seat F/A-18F will replace US Navy Grumman F-14s and Boeing is studying a command-and-control warfare variant to replace Grumman EA-6Bs, with a target in-service date of 2008.

Delivery of F/A-18C/Ds will continue into 1999, to meet export orders. Finland is receiving 64 aircraft and Switzerland 34. Malaysia has received eight two-seat F/A-18Ds. Thailand cancelled its order for eight F-18C/Ds; the aircraft have been bought back for delivery to the US Marine Corps.

Upgrades planned include a new targeting pod and towed decoy. The F/A-18 was first flown in November 1978, and 770 F/A-18A/Bs were produced, including 75 for Australia, 138 for Canada and 72 for Spain. Since 1986, a further 585 F/A-18C/Ds have been produced, including 40 for Kuwait.

KC-10 EXTENDER

Production of the KC-10 tanker/transport version of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 ended after 60 were built for the US Air Force. Two ex-Martinair DC-10-30CFs were converted by MDC and KLM to KDC-10 tanker/transports for the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

KC-135 STRATOTANKER

Deliveries of re-engined KC-135R tankers to export customers began in 1997 with the handover of three aircraft to France. The French aircraft join 11 C-135F upgraded by Boeing in 1994 with multi-point hose-and-drogue refuelling capability. Singapore has ordered four KC-135Rs.

The USAF continues to re-engine KC-135As with CFM International CFM56 turbofans and cockpit avionics are now being upgraded by Rockwell-Collins under the Pacer Crag programme.

X-32

Boeing was awarded a contract in November 1996 to build two Joint Strike Fighter concept-demonstrator aircraft. Flight tests are planned for 2000. The X-32A demonstrator will represent the conventional take-off and landing variant for the US Air Force, and will be modified later to represent the carrier-capable variant for the US Navy. The X-32B will represent the STOVL variant for the US Marine Corps and the Royal Navy in the UK.

The X-32 will be powered by a modified P&W F119 afterburning turbofan. The STOVL variant will be equipped with a direct-lift module supplied by R-R and including two retractable, vectoring lift nozzles.

JSF development is scheduled to begin in 2001, with the aircraft becoming operational in 2008. The USAF plans to buy 1,763 aircraft to replace Lockheed Martin F-16s and Fairchild A-10s; the USN 480 to replace Grumman A-6s; the USMC 642 to replace Boeing F-18s and AV-8Bs; and the RN 60 to replace British Aerospace Sea Harriers.

Source: Flight International