In 1996, the DoD ordered another 80 aircraft for a total of 120.Kilian, Michael. "In Record Procurement U.S. Orders 80 C17s – Plane Good Deal for 2,000 jobs in California." Chicago Tribune, 1 July 1996. In 1997, McDonnell Douglas merged with domestic competitor Boeing. In April 1999, Boeing offered to cut the C-17's unit price if the USAF bought 60 more;Wallace, James. "Boeing to cut price of C-17 if Air Force buys 60 more." Seattle Post, 2 April 1999. in August 2002, the order was increased to 180 aircraft."$9.7 Billion U.S. Deal for Boeing C-17's." The New York Times, 16 August 2002. In 2007, 190 C-17s were on order for the USAF."Boeing Company Funds Extension." Boeing, 9 July 2008. On 6 February 2009, Boeing was awarded a $2.95 billion contract for 15 additional C-17s, increasing the total USAF fleet to 205 and extending production from August 2009 to August 2010.Trimble, Stephen. "Boeing in $3bn air force contract." Flight International, 10 February 2009. On 6 April 2009, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated that there would be no more C-17s ordered beyond the 205 planned.Cole, August and Yochi J. Dreazen. "Pentagon Pushes Weapon Cuts." The Wall Street Journal, 7 April 2009, p. 1. However, on 12 June 2009, the House Armed Services Air and Land Forces Subcommittee added a further 17 C-17s.Kreisher, Otto. "House panel reverses cuts in aircraft programs." Congress Daily, 12 June 2009.
In 1996, the DoD ordered another 80 air,craft for a total of 120.Kilian, Michael. "In Record Procurement U.S. Orders 80 C17s – Plane Good Deal for 2,000 jobs in California." Chicago Tribune, 1 July 1996. In 1997, McDonnell Douglas merged with domestic competitor Boeing. In April 1999, Boeing offered to cut the C-17's unit price if the USAF bought 60 more;Wallace James. "Boeing to cut price of C-17 if Air Force buys 60 more." Seattle Post, 2 April 1999. in August 2002, the order was increased to 180 aircraft."$9.7 Billion U.S. Deal for Boeing C-17's." The New York Times, 16 August 2002. In 2007, 190 C-17s were on order for the USAF."Boeing Company Funds Extension" Boeing, 9 July 2008. On 6 February 2009, Boeing was awarded a $2.95 billion contract for 15 additional C-17s increasing the total USAF fleet to 205 and extending production from August 2009 t.o August 2010.Trimble, Stephen. "Boeing in $3bn air force co,ntract." Flight International, 10 February 2009. On 6 April 2009, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates stated that there would be no more C-17s ordered beyond the 205 planned.Cole, August and Yochi J. Dreazen. "Pentagon Pushes Weapon Cuts." The Wall Street Journal, 7 April 2009, p. 1. However, on 12 June 2009, the House Armed Services Air and Land Forces Subcommittee added a further 17 C-17s.Kreisher, Otto. "House panel reverses cuts in aircraft programs." Congress Daily, 12 June 2009.