The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) plans to request procurement of two C-40 aircraft to support the U. S.Marine Corps, according to a draft request for proposals.
According to documents, the aircraft shall be certified in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 25 (airworthiness standards) for an all passenger configuration that can carry 121 passengers and an all-cargo configuration of eight 463L (HCU-6/E) cargo pallets.
A third passenger-cargo configuration shall be certified to meet military airworthiness standards that will consist of palletized seating and cargo pallets that will provide the U.S. Marine Corps the added mission flexibility to configure the aircraft in multiple cargo-passenger configurations.
In a draft said that NAVAIR will be responsible for the airworthiness related to the combination configuration unless the configuration falls within an existing FAA certification.
The Contract will include required aircrew training (pilot, crew chief and loadmaster) as well as
unique equipment training.
The C-40, known as Clipper, is based upon the commercial Boeing 737 business Jet. The body of the C-40 is identical to that of the Boeing 737-700, but has winglets. Both models have state of the art avionics equipment, integrated GPS and flight management system/electronic flight instrument system and a heads up display. Heading the safety equipment list is the traffic collision avoidance system and enhanced weather radar.
The aircraft is a variant of the Boeing next generation 737-700, and combines the 737-700 fuselage with the wings and landing gear from the larger and heavier 737-800. The basic aircraft has auxiliary fuel tanks, a specialized interior with self-sustainment features and managed passenger communications.