Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

The Boeing C‑17 Globemaster III is a strategic air‑lifter that entered service in the mid‑1990s, born from a joint venture between McDonnell Douglas and Boeing shortly before their 1997 merger. Development began in response to the U.S. Air Force’s need for a fast, long‑range transport capable of operating from short, austere runways. The first flight took place on 15 June 1991, and the aircraft achieved initial operational capability in 1995. Over 280 C‑17s have been delivered to the United States and allied nations.

Key features include a high‑by‑wing design, four Pratt & Whitney F117‑100 turbofan engines, and a payload capacity of 170,900 lb (77 t). The plane can cruise at Mach 0.78, lift heavy equipment such as tanks and helicopters, and perform airdrop missions with precision. Its advanced avionics suite, fly‑by‑wire controls, and automated loading system allow rapid turnaround times and operation from runways as short as 3,500 ft.

The C‑17’s versatility has reshaped modern air mobility, supporting combat deployments, humanitarian relief, and disaster response worldwide. Its ability to deliver outsized cargo quickly and reliably makes it a cornerstone of strategic airlift and a defining aircraft of 21st‑century aviation.

McDonnell Douglas

Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

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