* Contract extends logistics support through 2017
* Covers 246 C-17 transport planes
* Boeing says contract lowers costs
(Adds details throughout)
WASHINGTON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Boeing Co said on Wednesday that it had received a $2 billion contract to continue providing logistics support for the U.S. military's fleet of C-17 transport planes through 2017.
The contract includes support for the aircraft, forecasting, purchasing and material management under a Performance-Based Logistics program that began in 1988.
Boeing said the sustainment program, which has expanded to 246 aircraft from 42, helps lower costs through economies of scale.
Under performance-based logistics contracts, customers receive an agreed level of system readiness instead of paying for a specified number of spare parts.
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal-Esa and Bangalore newsroom)
((andrea.shalal-esa@thomsonreuters.com)(202-321-7839))
Keywords: BOEING TRANSPORT/