The C-40 combines the Boeing 737-700 fuselage with the strengthened wings and landing gear of the larger and heavier
737-800. It also has auxiliary fuel tanks allowing an unrefueled range of up to compared with for the standard 737-700. The
U.S. Navy Reserve was the first customer for a
737 Next Generation based
"combi" aircraft (capable of transporting cargo and passengers). The Clipper was ordered by the
U.S. Navy to replace its fleet of aging
C-9B Skytrain IIs. The C-40A was the first new logistics aircraft in 17 years to join the U.S. Navy Reserve. The Navy Reserve provides all of the Navy's medium and heavy airlift capabilities. The Navy purchased the airplanes using standard commercial practices, ordering six of the 737-700C models. The first two of four aircraft were delivered on 21 April 2001 to
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Five Nine (VR-59) at the Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base
Fort Worth, Texas, with two more aircraft following before the end of the year. The fifth and sixth aircraft were delivered in August 2002 to
VR-58 at the
Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. Further aircraft have been delivered to
VR-57 at the
Naval Air Station North Island, California. The C-40A provides superior
fuel efficiency, range and payload compared to the C-9B aircraft it replaced. On 4 December 2018 an online notice was posted by the Marines seeking a supplier of C-40s to be delivered in 2020.
C-40B The
United States Air Force selected the
C-40B, a military version of the
737-700 Boeing Business Jet, to replace the aging fleet of
C-137 aircraft used to transport U.S. combatant commanders. The Air Force awarded the medium lift contract in August 2000. The cabin area is equipped with a crew rest area, distinguished visitor compartment with sleep accommodations, two galleys and business class seating with worktables. The C-40B is designed to be an "office in the sky" for senior military and government leaders. The aircraft features two-way
broadband data communications, including secure voice and data communication; elements include internet and network access, telephones, satellites, facsimile and copy machines. The C-40B also has a computer-based passenger data system.
C-40C The C-40C is a VIP transport aircraft often used to carry members of the Cabinet and Congress, and was purchased to replace the
Boeing C-22. The aircraft is equipped similarly to the C-40B, but without the advanced communications capabilities. Unique to the C-40C is the capability to change its configuration to accommodate from 42 to 111 passengers. The C-40C replaced three C-22s (a militarized Boeing 727) operated by the
Air National Guard and
National Guard Bureau to airlift personnel. The C-40C was the first military aircraft to be acquired in this as an off-the-shelf aircraft for the Department of Defense. The 201st Airlift Squadron, District of Columbia Air National Guard acquired two C-40C aircraft in October 2002. The Air Force Reserve
932d Airlift Wing, Scott AFB, Illinois acquired three C-40C aircraft in 2007. ==Variants==