Sir - Your Comment "Strategic retreat" (Flight International, 12-18 February, P3) and the story "UK slashes FLA [Future Large Aircraft] numbers" in the same issue (P5) both allude to a forthcoming Lockheed C-141-replacement programme.
While the C-141 is due to be replaced by 2006, there is not, and will not be, a new dedicated-aircraft design/programme for a replacement aircraft.
The McDonnell Douglas C-17 was, in fact, originally designed to replace the C-141. It is expected that any C-141 transport role which is not fulfilled by the C-17 will be achieved by the Boeing KC-135 replacement aircraft. The best bet is an off-the-shelf Boeing 767.
There is not, therefore, a goldmine of opportunity for European aerospace companies in US transporter programmes.
ROBERT McANDREW
President
IBS & Associates
Powder Springs, Georgia, USA
Source: Flight International
