Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The plane was originally a McDonnell-Douglas aircraft, but is now designated the Boeing C-17 after the merger of the two companies.

USAF C-17 Globemasters on the flightline, Moses Lake, Washington. December 2015. USAF Photo

The C-17 carries the name of two previous piston-engined military cargo aircraft, the Douglas C-74 Globemaster and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. The C-17 commonly performs strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo throughout the world; additional roles include tactical airlift, medical evacuation and airdrop duties.

C-17 Maiden Flight

The C-17 made its maiden flight on Sepember 15, 1991, and the first production model was delivered to Charleston Air Force Base, now known as Joint Base Charleston, S.C., on June 14, 1993.

The first squadron of C-17s, the 17th Airlift Squadron, was declared operationally ready in January of 1995.

C-17 Specifications and Operation

The C-17 is 174 feet long and has a wingspan of about 170 feet. It can airlift cargo fairly close to a battle area. The C-17 is powered by four fully reversible Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines,

Maximum payload capacity of the C-17 is 170,900 pounds, and its maximum gross takeoff weight is 585,000 pounds.

The C-17 is designed to operate from runways as short as 3,500 ft and as narrow as 90 ft. In addition, the C-17 can operate from unpaved, unimproved runways. The aircraft is operated by a crew of three (pilot, co-pilot and loadmaster), reducing manpower requirements.

As of 2015, the USAF inventory was as follows: Active duty, 187; Air National Guard, 12; Air Force Reserve, 14.

The Globemaster is used not only by the United States Air Force, but other allies as well, such as the Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, the Kuwait Air Force, UAE AIr Force and NATO.

 

C-17 Globemaster III Photos Courtesy of the US Air Force

More C-17 Globemaster III Photos

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III 5151 of the 15th AW, 154th WG (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force)

C-17 Globemaster III of the Qatar Emiri Air Force, Registration A7-MAM (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric)

C-17 Globemaster III MAE of the Qatar Emiri Air Force (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric)

C-17A of the Qatar Emiri Air Force, Registration A7-MAB (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric)

C-17 Globemaster III of the Kuwait Air Force, Registration KAF 343 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric)

C-17 Globemaster III of the Kuwait Air Force, Registration KAF 342 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric)

C-17 Globemaster III of the UAE Air Force, No. 1225 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric)

C-17 Globemaster III of the Indian Air Force, CB-8001 (Photo by DELEHELLE Eric)

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Artic Thunder Air Show, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska (Photo courtesy of Alaska Professional Photography)