MD-17 and Boeing called it the BC-17X.The U.S. Air Force is moving forward with plans for a new public/private acquisition strategy for the proposed Boeing BC-17X, which would be operated by civilian cargo carriers in peacetimeBoeing and the U.S. Air Force believe there will be a market for at least 10 civilian variants of the C-17 over the next decade. They hope that support for the commercial freight market will maintain the current status quo beyond 2006Each civilian C-17 will cost $152 million, and the Air Force is willing to pay about $300 million for 10 BC-17Xs. It will also pay the annual fee for CRAF-related fees. Boeing hopes the combination of the BC-17X and subsequent multi-year purchase of up to 50 C-17s will maintain production until at least 2008.Lockhart said the BC-17X has about 92 percent commonality with the military C-17 and is capable of delivering oversized cargo to undeveloped 1,800m (6,000ft) airfields. He favors the concept, "because the U.S. Air Force will gain access to C-17s, so there won't be a need for daily airlifts during peacetime."On a day-to-day basis, the BC-17 can make money by doing other things. The Air Force will acquire them as needed without incurring the cost of ownership."