Air Weapons

Heavy Transport (1994)

McDonnell Douglas

C-17 Globemaster III

C-17 Globemaster III
C-17 Globemaster III

The McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III is the latest addition to the US Air Mobility Command, designed to replace the C-141, complement the C-5 as a strategic heavy transport, and replicate some of the C-130's tactical capabilities. As such, the C-17 follows the now-standard high-set wing configuration with a T-wing and side fairings for the landing gear but adds winglets for additional stability as well as a much larger cabin volume relative to the similarly-sized C-141. Perhaps its greatest asset, however, is its ability to operate even on unprepared airstrips, an advantage which has proven vital in view of the US's recent military commitments around the world. Despite a difficult development history, the C-17 has now established itself as the AMC's foremost transport and its success has not been ignored elsewhere: it has recently been acquired by the UK, Australia and Canada as well as having a number of additional potential customers including a collective NATO purchase currently being discussed.

The first C-17 took to the air on 15 September 1991 after over a decade of development (the original USAF requirement originated in 1980 and McDonnell Douglas was selected as the winner one year later). It entered production as the C-17A with no other variants so far developed and entered service in 1994.

Preceded by:

C-141 Starlifter (1965)

Succeeded by:

None

Datafile

DesignC-17A
NameGlobemaster III
TypeTransport
Year1994
Crew3
Dimensions
Length53.04 m
Height16.789 m
Wing Span52.20 m
Wing Arean/a
Weight
Empty100,000 kg
Maximum100,000 kg
Wing Loading283.3 kg/m²
Performance
Speed834 km/h
Ceiling13,716 m
Range4,448-8,709 km
Powerplant
Engine4 x F117-PW-100
Pratt & Whitney
18,343 kgf
Thrust/Weight0.67
Armament
Guns-
Payload77,520 kg
Production
Built180
Total180

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