Originally Posted by
ORAC
Been through this before. All the jigs and productions facilities for the C-17 are gone, even the entire production site is gone. Many of the parts - such as even the engines - are out of production and no longer available.
With the redesign needed to introduce modern materials, and meet new requirements, restarting production could take longer and be more expensive than a new programme - though I am sure Boeing would love it.
Yes Orac. No the production site is not gone, drive by it twice a week to/from work. The building is still there, leased out to others. There are other locations that can host building and have the skilled labor available. The same challenges to build a NG C17 were likely present to build the classic model, and imagine the naysayers were present then as well.
Just watch and wait like the rest of us.