C-17 Globemaster III
The massive long-haul military transport aircraft tackles distance, destination and heavy, oversized payloads in unpredictable conditions.
Always Dependable. Always Ready.
A high-wing, four-engine, T-tailed military transport aircraft, the multi-service C-17 can carry large equipment, supplies and troops directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world. The massive, sturdy, long-haul aircraft tackles distance, destination and heavy, oversized payloads in unpredictable conditions. It has delivered cargo in every worldwide operation since the 1990s.
Lifecycle Sustainment
Boeing has partnered with the U.S. Air Force on C-17 sustainment since the delivery of the first aircraft in 1993. With a focus on high performance at an affordable cost, Boeing provides sustainment and maintenance for global C-17 customers in eight allied countries. The C-17 fleet has a best-in-class combined dollar per flight hour and mission capable rate, performing at the highest level of readiness worldwide.
Support
Under the Globemaster III Sustainment Program contract, Boeing is fully responsible and accountable for total weapon system availability executing program management, sustaining logistics, material and equipment management, sustaining engineering and depot-level aircraft maintenance. On-site base support includes personnel for base management and operations support, field services and engineering technical support and 24/7 base supply support for spares.
Training
Train The Way You Operate
Boeing provides comprehensive C-17 Globemaster III training solutions for aircrews and loadmasters with advanced simulation, courseware and computer-based training. C-17 operators can practice the complete range of tasks required for tactical military airlift operations and humanitarian missions, along with rehearsal of other scenarios such as aerial refueling and emergency procedures.
Enduring Capabilities
Short Takeoff, Shorter Landing
With a payload of 164,900 pounds, the C-17 can take off from a 7,000-foot airfield, fly 2,400 nautical miles, and land on a small, austere airfield of 3,000 feet or less.
Heavy Lifting
The C-17 carries a cargo of wheeled U.S. Army vehicles in two side-by-side rows, including the U.S. Army's main battle tank, the M-1.
Payload Drops
The C-17 is able to drop a single 60,000-pound (27,216-kilogram) payload, or sequential payloads that add up to 110,000 pounds (49,895 kilograms).
Elbow Room
The C-17 fits more than 100 soldiers in its cargo hold, with space for 54 on the sidewalls and 48 in the centerline.
Enduring performance
For more than a decade, Boeing’s C-17 support team has reduced support dollar per aircraft by 40% while maintaining a best-in-class mission capability rate of 85% or greater.
Aircrew & Maintenance Training
Boeing provides comprehensive training solutions for aircrews and loadmasters with advanced simulation, courseware and computer-based training.
C-17 Milestones
C-17 Globemaster III Technical Specifications
Wingspan to Winglet Tip
169.8 ft (51.74 m)
Length
174 ft (53.04 m)
Height at Tail
55.1 ft (16.79 m)
Fuselage Diameter
22.5 ft (6.86 m)
Four Pratt & Whitney PW2040 (military designation F117-PW-100) 40,440 pounds thrust each
Sidewall (Permanently Installed)
54 (27 each side, 18 inches wide, 24 inch spacing center to center)
Centerline (stored on board)
48 (in sets of six back-to-back, 8 sets)
Palletized
80 on 8 pallets, plus 54 passengers on sidewall seats
Flight crew
2 pilots
Observer positions
2
Instrument displays
2 full-time all-function head-up displays (HUD), 4 multi-function active matrix liquid crystal displays
Navigation system
Digital electronics
Communication
Integrated radio management system with communications system open architecture (COSA)
Flight controls system
Quadruple-redundant electronic flight control with mechanical backup system
Area
3,800 sq. ft. (353 sq. m)
Aspect Ratio
7.165
Sweep Angle
25 degrees
Airfoil Type
Supercritical
Flaps
Fixed-vane, double-slotted, simple-hinged
Area
845 sq. ft. (78.50 sq. m)
Span
65 feet (19.81 m)
Aspect Ratio
5.0
Sweep
27 degrees
Feature Stories
This C-17 just achieved 25,000 flight hours
November 16, 2021 in Defense
U.S. Air Force celebrates milestone at Globemaster III's first home, Joint Base Charleston
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4 Million Hours and Counting: C-17 Team Commemorates Milestone
January 15, 2021 in Defense
Globemaster III is one of the fastest platforms to ever reach 4M flight hours, enabling humanitarian relief and completing critical missions worldwide.
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Boeing teams helping enable C-17 customers’ COVID-19 missions
May 8, 2020 in Defense
Boeing Global Services teams are proud to support the global C-17 fleet and the customers who fly them.
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C-17 Sustainment in San Antonio
June 8, 2016 in Defense
The Boeing facility in San Antonio, Texas has upgraded and delivered nearly 1,000 planes to customers around the world. Those aircraft include the C-17 Globemaster III fleet.
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3 Million Hours
May 6, 2015 in Defense
Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III worldwide fleet hit a major milestone be reaching three million flight hours, which was marked with a one-hour flight from Georgia to South Carolina.
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The Last Join
March 4, 2015 in Defense
In Long Beach, Calif., Boeing teams piece together the nose, center fuselage, wings and tail of the final C-17 Globemaster III military airlifter to roll off the assembly line.
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Birds Do it: Saving Energy in Flight
June 6, 2014 in Innovation, Environment, Technology
Saving energy is not an easy task but how do the Boeing engineers do it? The answer is flying above you.
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From Long Beach to Charleston
September 18, 2013 in Defense
After more than two decades, Boeing’s C-17 Globemaster III will complete production in 2015, closing the C-17 final assembly facility in Long Beach, Calif.
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Delivering realism, readiness and cost savings
August 5, 2013 in Defense
Members of the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio celebrate the opening of the first C-17 training center.
Learn MoreC-17 Globemaster III Customers
Currently, 275 C-17s operate around the world. The aircraft's largest customer is the United States Air Force, with 223 in 12 bases. Outside of that country, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, India and the 12-nation Strategic Airlift Capability all operate the C-17 Globemaster III.
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Australia
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Canada
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India
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Kuwait
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Qatar
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Strategic Airlift Capability
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United Arab Emirates
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United Kingdom
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United States
C-17 Quick Facts
The C-17 can:
- Take off from a 7,740-foot (2359.15-meter) airfield
- Carry a payload of up to 164,900 pounds (74,797 kg)
- Fly 6,230 nautical miles with no payload
- Refuel while in flight
- Land in 3,000 feet (914 meters) or less on a small unpaved or paved airfield in day or night.
- Carry a cargo of wheeled U.S. Army vehicles in two side-by-side rows, including the U.S. Army's main battle tank, the M-1
- Drop a single 60,000-pound (27,216-kilogram) payload, with sequential load drops of 110,000 pounds (49,895 kilograms)
- Back up a 2-percent slope
- Seat 54 on the sidewall and 48 in the centerline.