
C-17 Globemaster III
The massive long-haul military transport aircraft tackles distance, destination and heavy, oversized payloads in unpredictable conditions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
The C-17 fits more than 100 soldiers in its cargo hold, with space for 54 on the sidewalls and 48 in the centerline.
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.
Boeing provides comprehensive training solutions for aircrews and loadmasters with advanced simulation, courseware and computer-based training.
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
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.
The C-17 can: