Boeing

The U.S. Navy has ordered two 737-700s for its Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift Replacement Aircraft (NUFEA-RA) program.

The contract, valued at $111 million, calls for Boeing to deliver the Next-Generation version of the world's most popular jetliner to the Naval Air Systems Command beginning in December 2000.

The 737-700s will be used to replace the Navy's aging fleet of C-9 aircraft used for worldwide, short-notice transportation of military personnel and cargo. The C-9 fleet consists of 29 aircraft, 27 of which are flown and maintained by Naval Reserve Components. The remaining two aircraft are assigned to the Marine Corps.

The 737-700 Increased Gross Weight Quick Change (IGW QC) is a military freighter derivative of the highly successful Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. The 737-700 IGW QC will set standards in its class with payload capacity of 38,500 pounds, cruise ceiling of 41,000 feet and cruise speed of Mach .78 to .82.

"This is another strong endorsement of the Boeing 737 by a new customer," said Chris Sales, NUFEA-RA program manager. "The potential market for this aircraft is much larger than the number covered by today's announcement, and we are delighted with the opportunity to introduce a new customer to the Boeing 737 family," Sales said.

"This 737 variant will deliver the same combination of technical excellence with the simplicity, reliability and economy that have made the 737 the world's best selling jet transport."