Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large, four-engine military transport aircraft developed for the United States Air Force. Designed for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward bases, the C-17 can carry oversized loads, vehicles, and perform tactical airlift, airdrop, and medical evacuation missions. Its first flight was in 1991 and it entered service in 1995.
Fact Sheet
| Role | Strategic and Tactical Military Transport |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| First Flight | September 15, 1991 |
| Service Entry | 1995 |
| Crew | 3 (pilot, co-pilot, loadmaster) |
| Capacity | Up to 102 troops, 54 paratroopers, or 77,500 kg (170,900 lb) of cargo |
Specifications
| Length | 53 m (174 ft) |
|---|---|
| Wingspan | 51.75 m (169 ft 10 in) |
| Height | 16.79 m (55 ft 1 in) |
| Max Takeoff Weight | 265,350 kg (585,000 lb) |
| Engines | 4 × Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofans (40,440 lbf each) |
| Max Speed | 830 km/h (515 mph) |
| Range | 4,482 km (2,785 mi) with max payload |
| Service Ceiling | 13,716 m (45,000 ft) |
Notable Features
- Can carry heavy and oversized military equipment, including tanks and helicopters
- Short and unprepared runway capability
- Advanced avionics and fly-by-wire controls
- Used by the USAF and several allied air forces
- Versatile for strategic and tactical missions worldwide
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a formidable military transport aircraft that serves as the backbone of strategic and tactical airlift for the U.S. Air Force and a number of allied nations. It is a high-wing, four-engine aircraft designed to perform a dual role: providing rapid, strategic delivery of troops and cargo across intercontinental distances while also being able to operate from short, austere airfields.
Key Features and Capabilities
The C-17’s design gives it a unique blend of size and flexibility. At 174 feet long with a wingspan of almost 170 feet, it can carry a massive payload of up to 170,900 pounds (77,500 kg). Its large aft ramp allows for the direct drive-on/drive-off loading of virtually all of the U.S. Army’s air-transportable equipment, including an M1 Abrams main battle tank.
What sets the C-17 apart is its ability to operate from unconventional locations. Its high-lift wing design, powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117 turbofan engines, allows it to perform short takeoff and landing (STOL). The engines’ thrust reversers are a key feature, as they can be used in-flight to allow for steep, tactical descents and on the ground to back the aircraft up a 2% slope. This enables the C-17 to operate from runways as short as 3,500 feet and as narrow as 90 feet, including unpaved dirt strips.
A single C-17 is operated by a crew of just three: two pilots and one loadmaster, made possible by its advanced digital avionics and fly-by-wire controls.
Operational History and Current Status
Since its introduction in 1993, the C-17 has been a workhorse in nearly every major U.S. and NATO military operation. It has been used for everything from troop deployments and airdrops to humanitarian aid and aeromedical evacuations. A recent high-profile mission was the 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan, during which a single C-17 flew a record-breaking 823 passengers on one flight. It has also been used for humanitarian relief missions, such as airdropping supplies to civilians in Gaza.
Although production of the C-17 ended in 2015, the aircraft remains a central component of global military airlift. There are over 275 C-17s in service worldwide, with the U.S. Air Force being the largest operator. Other nations that fly the C-17 include the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, as well as the NATO Strategic Airlift Capability program. The C-17 fleet is expected to remain in service for decades to come, with some analyses projecting its use until at least 2070.
