The first prototype flew in September 1991
McDonnell-Douglas C-17 Globemaster III Article
Three flight test models were built, and the aircraft became operational in 1994.
By October 2002 C-17s were being delivered at a rate of 15 per year, with a planned run of 180 aircraft.
The C-17 Globemaster is a four-engine transport aircraft fitted with the reversible-thrust F117-PW-100 by Pratt & Whitney, with each of 40,000 pounds of thrust. This powerplant represents the military version of the commercial Pratt & Whitney PW2040 as found on the 757 airliner. The aircraft is designed for operations utilizing shortened runaways.
The C-17 Globemaster III is crewed by a pilot, copilot and a loadmaster.
At rear of the aircraft, the C-17 features a large access ramp. The aft-loading ramp allows for transportation and delivery of varying types of cargo including over 100 fully-armed troops and paratroopers, 36 medical litters and nearly 171,000 pounds of cargo. The cargo hold is able to carry most all of the military’s air-portable weapon and vehicle systems. With in-flight refueling, the C-17 has a global reach.
Unit Cost: $237 million (2007)
The Boeing-produced C-17 Globemaster III represents one of the latest additions to the United States Air Force mobile airlift fleet. By 1998, over 140 Globemaster III’s were in active or reserve service with the USAF, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.
The first Boeing C-17 Globemaster III for the RAAF, A41-206, first flew at Long Beach on 8 November 2006. The Royal Australian Air Force had four C-17 Globemaster heavy transport aircraft.
The first, A41-206, arrived in Australia on 2 December 2006. The RAAF’s second C-17 was handed over at Long Beach on 11 May 2007 and flown to Australia a few days later.
C-17A Globemaster III
Engines: 4 x Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan, 40,440lbs of thrust each.
Installed thrust: 658.4 kN
Length: 173.88ft (53m)
Width: 169.78ft (51.75m)
Height: 55.09ft (16.79m)
Wing area: 3799.692 sq.ft / 353.0 sq.m
Weight empty: 269045.3 lb / 122016.0 kg
Maximum Take-Off Weight Peacetime: 585,001lbs (265,352kg)
Fuel internal: 79,925 lt
Air refuel: Yes.
Maximum Speed: 518mph (833kmh; 450kts) at 28,000 ft / 8,534m
Cruising altitude: 36007 ft / 10975 m
Wing loading: 152.73 lb/sq.ft / 745.0 kg/sq.m
Rate-of-Climb: 0ft/min (0m/min)
Service Ceiling: 45,000ft (13,716m)
Cruise speed: 442 kts / 820 km/h / 510 mph
Range: 8710 km / 5412 miles
Range w/max.payload: 2400 nm / 4456 km / 2769 miles
T/O run: 2320 m
Ldg run: 823 m
Armament: None.
Crew: 3
Payload: 72,500kg
Accommodation: 134 troops / 90 stretcher patients / 170,900 lb (77,519 kg) of cargo (18 pallet positions)
All Aero 