Curtiss-Wright Selected to Modernize U.S. Air Force C-17 Mission Computing

Curtiss-Wright Corporation has been selected by The Boeing Company to provide mission computer technology for the U.S. Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster III Flight Deck Obsolescence and Technology Refresh program.

This significant avionics upgrade is designed to enhance the capabilities and extend the operational life of the strategic airlift fleet. The contract is estimated to have a lifetime value exceeding $400 million.

The program focuses on integrating Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)-aligned mission computers into the C-17 aircraft. These systems are engineered to provide higher levels of computing performance and allow for easier technology insertion over time. The upgrade will support the U.S. Air Force and international allied partners, ensuring the aircraft remains viable throughout its planned service life.

Since the early 1990s, the C-17 has been a primary asset for the U.S. Air Force in the global transport of troops, vehicles, and heavy equipment. This modernization initiative addresses electronic obsolescence while providing a scalable architecture to meet evolving operational requirements.

Lynn M. Bamford, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, stated, “Curtiss-Wright is honored to collaborate with Boeing on this important military fleet modernization initiative. By delivering rugged, modular mission computing technology, we are supporting the long-term readiness of the C-17, a platform essential to global logistics and mobility operations. Our scalable, MOSA-aligned solution is designed to evolve with future mission needs, helping to ensure availability and performance for decades to come.”

The selection of Curtiss-Wright for this modernization effort builds upon an established relationship with Boeing. It highlights the role of ruggedized, modular computing in maintaining the readiness of critical logistics and mobility platforms for the coming decades.