Boeing is stepping up the hunt for international C-17 orders to plug looming gaps in its production line as it fights to rebuild the dwindling backlog. With only 18 aircraft currently on the books it needs fresh orders to sustain the line through 2013, even if a long-expected order for 10 emerges soon from India. Details of Boeing's latest sales push came May 10 as the United Arab Emirates took delivery of the first of six C-17s at the company's Long Beach, Calif., site. The UAE will take delivery of three more C-17s this year, and two in 2012. The latest aircraft will become the 232nd C-17 in service and the 22nd to be delivered to an international customer. Other overseas deliveries set for this year include a fifth C-17 to the Royal Australian Air Force.
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