| CC-137 | |
|---|---|
%2c_Canada_-_Air_Force_AN1849852.jpg) A Canadian Armed Forces Boeing 707 (CC-137) | |
| General information | |
| Type | Military transport aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary user | Canadian Forces |
| Number built | 5 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1972 |
| First flight | 1970 |
| Retired | 1997 |
| Developed from | Boeing 707 |
TheBoeing CC-137 is a retired transport and tanker aircraft which served with theCanadian Forces from 1970 to 1997. TheBoeing 707-347C aircraft provided long range passenger transport for the military, VIP transport for government andair-to-air refueling for fighters such as theCF-116 Freedom Fighter andCF-18 Hornet. It was replaced by theAirbus CC-150 Polaris in the transport role and much later in the tanker role.
During the 1960s, theRoyal Canadian Air Force set out a requirement to replace the aging fleet ofCanadair CC-106 Yukons andCanadair CC-109 Cosmopolitan transports. Initially, theBoeing KC-135 was being considered because the versatile design could also fulfill a yet-unspecified aerial refuelling role.[1] Although a "purpose-built" aircraft would have suited the RCAF requirements better, an opportunity to acquire Boeing 707s as an alternative, soon presented itself.[2]
%2c_Canada_-_Air_Force_AN2275931.jpg)
Canada purchased five Boeing 707s in 1970–71 to replace the RCAF'sCC-106 Yukons in the long range transport role and theCC-109 Cosmopolitan as an executive or short-range transport.[3] The first four aircraft had been built forWestern Airlines, but that order was subsequently cancelled; the fifth was bought separately a year later. To fulfil Canada's requirements for aerial refueling, two aircraft were fitted withBeechcraft madeprobe and drogue refueling pods in 1972.[4] The two sets of refuelling equipment were moved from aircraft to aircraft to keep fleet utilization even between the airframes.
The CC-137 fleet had a combined total of 191,154 hours, remaining in service in the transport role until 1995, with two aircraft continuing in use as tankers until 1997.[4][5]
Most of the fleet ended up with theNorthrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS programme either for spare parts or conversion to E-8C standard for the United States Air Force.[6]
Data fromBoeing CC137 (707-347C)[7]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Related lists
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