The first of at least 12 C-17 cargo planes on order by international customers made its first flights last week at Boeing Co. production facilities in Long Beach, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reports.
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III made its maiden flight from Long Beach Airport on Nov. 7, and then was taken on a second test flight on Nov. 9 as workers prepared it for a late November delivery date to the Royal Australian Air Force.
Australia has ordered four C-17s for its military.
The 12 international orders were key contracts secured by Boeing over the last year as the company sought new business to help ensure its production line would remain open for some time after a current U.S. Air Force contract for 180 C-17s was completed in 2008.
Boeing recently secured additional C-17 orders from the Pentagon that will keep the Long Beach plant and its 5,700 employees working at least through the end of 2009.
Australia’s four orders will be completed by 2008, with one delivered in 2007 and the remaining two in 2008.
Other international orders include four by Canada, three by NATO – with an option for a fourth C-17 – and one from Great Britain.
Britain also has said it will purchase four C-17s it now leases from Boeing to bring to five its total fleet of the giant military cargo planes.
