Modernization Effort On C-17 Globemaster III Flight Control System Observes Two Milestones.

JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. -- A program to modernize the flight control system on Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transports recently observed two milestone events: first flight of the new control computer and delivery of the first production hardware to Boeing, which produces the aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.

BAE Systems has been developing the C-17's Modernized Electronic Flight Control System for more than two years under a $34.7 million contract with Boeing. One of the system's two major components, the Flight Control Computer, recently flew five successful sorties at Edwards AFB, Calif. Soon after those test flights, the first computer was delivered to Boeing's C-17 assembly facility in Long Beach, Calif.

The other component of the next-generation flight control system, the Spoiler Control Electronic Flap Computer, is scheduled to fly in June along with the Flight Control Computer. The Flight Control Computer is due to enter C-17 production on aircraft P-138, due for delivery to the Air Force in August. The Spoiler Control Electronic Flap Computer is due for inclusion on production C-17s beginning with aircraft P-145.

"We enjoy a very strong position on C-17, as the aircraft's largest avionics provider, and an excellent reputation with Boeing based on 16 years of involvement on this aircraft," said Jim Garceau, BAE Systems' C-17 program director. "The excellent performance of the new Flight Control Computer during the recent flight tests serves to further solidify that position."

The Modernized Electronic Flight Control System, for which BAE Systems serves as system integrator, provides full-authority fly-by-wire stability augmentation, stall protection, autopilot, flight director, and ground proximity warning functions. It is designed to improve reliability, provide capability for increased aircraft functionality, and mitigate obsolescence issues.

Operational demands on the Air Force's currently 135-strong C-17 fleet have grown considerably in recent years. C-17s have logged combat time every day since operations in Afghanistan began on Oct. 7, 2001, and Globemaster IIIs have delivered more than 70 percent of the cargo delivered to Iraq during the two years of that conflict. The C-17 boasts the highest operational readiness of any U.S. airlifter, at 84 percent.

The fleet also has played a major role in the delivery of humanitarian aid, delivering millions of meals to Iraq and providing 2.4 million pounds of food and other relief to Asian tsunami victims during the 30 days following the December 2004 disaster. Boeing is on a multi-year contract to design, build, and deliver 180 C-17s for the U.S. Air Force through 2008.

About BAE SYSTEMS:

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. BAE Systems North America is one of America's foremost national security, aerospace, and information systems companies.