Boeing announced Tuesday the company delivered the US Navy's ninth C-40A Clipper transport aircraft -- a derivative of the 737-700C "combi" -- to Squadron VR-57 of the Naval Reserve's Fleet Logistics Support Wing on May 25.

"Thanks to the great teamwork of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Integrated Defense Systems' Wichita, Kan., group and the Seattle-based Derivative Airplanes Program, we delivered this airplane 36 days ahead of schedule," said Cameron Blake, C-40A program manager for Boeing.

"This highly dependable and flexible aircraft helps us meet the Navy's worldwide intra-theater airlift requirements," added US Navy Commander Tom Hartman, VR-57 commanding officer.

Following a delivery ceremony at the company's Wichita facility, Hartman piloted Clipper no. 9 to the squadron's operating base at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.

The C-40A provides airlift for all of the U.S. armed forces. It can be configured to carry 121 passengers, or eight 5,000-pound pallets of cargo, or a combination of 70 passengers and three pallets.

The Navy plans to purchase up to 23 additional Clippers as it continues to replace its aging fleet of DC-9-based C-9B Skytrain IIs (above). The C-40A provides better fuel efficiency, range and payload and meets or exceeds international environmental and noise restrictions.

FMI: www.navy.mil, www.boeing.com