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737 MAX 8
Boeing’s 737 MAX will have a new operator: the U.S. Air Force.
The service confirmed Sept. 16 that it will buy the new aircraft from Boeing using $250 million from the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act that was authorized to expand the capabilities of its C-40 fleet. This would be the first military variant of the aircraft.
“The Air Force intends to purchase a 737 MAX to meet this requirement,” an Air Mobility Command (AMC) spokesperson said in a statement.
A timeline has not been set for delivery.
AMC in July posted a solicitation for specialized flight training services “to support the rapid fielding and safe operation of a Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft. The contractor shall provide comprehensive ‘differences training’ to quality existing, experienced Air Force 737 pilots” on the aircraft. The solicitation notes it is an urgent need.
AMC says the contract will be effective Nov. 1 and in the meantime “the current contractor has an approved course to teach MAX differences.”
The command has previously explored the purchase of a MAX for its C-40 fleet, but had been blocked. In 2025, the service explored the purchase of a Boeing Business Jet MAX 9 to augment the current fleet of 757-based C-32As. The service’s budget proposal at the time had called for an award in September 2025 with a delivery expected in August 2028, using $328.689 million in fiscal 2025 funding to procure what was designated the C-40D.
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