The C-40 Clipper is a multi-purpose transport aircraft developed by the American firm Boeing, based on the civilian airliner Boeing Model 737-700C. This aircraft is designed to replace the C-9s in service with the US Navy Aviation.
Operational History
The US Navy began implementing its program to replace 29 outdated C-9B “Skytrain” aircraft in 1997, when a contract was signed for the delivery of the first two C-40A “Clipper” planes. The new aircraft made its maiden flight in April 1999 and was accepted into service by the US Navy in 2001. As of the text’s writing, the US Navy had received 12 “Clipper” aircraft, which are based at Naval Air Stations Fort Worth (Texas), Jacksonville (Florida), and North Island (California). Boeing delivered the tenth aircraft to the US Navy in November 2010.
Variants and Capabilities
The Boeing consortium has developed three variants of this transport aircraft—A, B, and C—for the Navy, Air Force, and National Guard aviation, respectively. These versions primarily differ in their set of transport equipment. Specifically, the C-40B is equipped with a crew rest cabin, business-class seats with work tables, and sleeping berths for passengers.
The C-40A can be quickly transformed and used in three configurations: for troop transport, cargo transport, or a combination of both. The C-40A aircraft is equipped with a “glass” cockpit and two CFM56-7 engines. It features a TACAS-II collision warning system, a ground proximity warning system, collimated information display systems, and universal encrypted communication systems.
The C-40A can carry 121 passengers, or eight 5000-pound cargo containers, or a combination of 70 passengers and three containers, at a cruising speed of 0.78-0.82 Mach over a range exceeding 3,000 nautical miles. By the end of 2015, the US Air Force had received an additional four C-40B and six C-40C aircraft.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | C-40A |
| Wingspan, m | 34.3 2 |
| Aircraft length, m | 33.63 |
| Aircraft height, m | 12.55 |
| Empty weight | 57153 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 77564 |
| Engine type | 2 General Electric CFM56-7B Turbofan |
| Thrust, kN | 2 x 121 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 990 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 850 |
| Practical range, km | 5600 |
| Practical ceiling, m | 12500 |
| Crew | 6 |
| Payload | 121 passengers or 16330 kg of cargo in 8 cargo containers or 70 passengers and 6804 kg in three containers |
Image and diagram gallery of the C-40 Clipper
 C-40 Clipper |
 C-40 Clipper |
 C-40 Clipper |
 C-40 Clipper. Photograph: boeing.com |
 C-40 Clipper |