Aircraft To Be Operated By National Nuclear Security Administration

Details of a joint project with the U.S. Department of the Interior to convert a number of B737-400 passenger aircraft to "Combi" configuration have been revealed by the Florida company with the contract for the makeovers. These aircraft will be operated by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a separately organized agency within the U.S. Department of Energy.

This 737 Combi modification is based on Pemco World Air Service’s acclaimed 737-400 Combi aircraft design that was built and certified in 2007 and has been operating very successfully in Alaska supplying a critical network in a demanding operating environment.

The NNSA’s Combi is operated by two flight crew members. The Combi configuration is capable of transporting a combination of 4 ½ pallets of freight (forward) and 66 passengers (rear) totaling approximately 40,000 lbs, with a range of over 3,000 miles. The NNSA configuration conforms to the highest standards for safety and versatility ever deployed with the fully FAA-certified Class C cargo compartment with automatic fire detection and halon suppression. In addition, an installed forward and rear-airstair assists in the boarding of passengers.

The first of the NNSA Combi’s inducted into Pemco’s Dothan, Alabama conversion center in May of this year, and is scheduled for delivery and induction into service in the fall. The second B737-400 is scheduled to be inducted in July.

“This Combi conversion program is a substantial commitment from the NNSA. We look forward to working with the NNSA to provide an unparalleled product,” said Pemco CEO Bill Meehan. President Kevin Casey added, "These special mission aircraft will provide the flexibility, performance and safety to meet the NNSA’s needs well into the future. Moreover, it is gratifying to see the US government chose a terrific product, which has the additional benefit of saving US taxpayers tens of millions of dollars compared with new production aircraft with similar characteristics. In today’s world, that just makes sense.”

FMI: www.nnsa.doe.gov, www.pemcoair.com