U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet

C-17 GLOBEMASTER III

Mission

The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most 

flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. 

The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery 

of troops and all types of cargo to main 

operating bases or directly to forward bases in 

the deployment area. The aircraft can perform 

tactical airlift and airdrop missions and can 

also transport litters and ambulatory patients 

during aeromedical evacuations when 

required. The inherent flexibility and 

performance of the C-17 force improve the 

ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the 

worldwide air mobility requirements of the 

United States.

The ultimate measure of airlift effectiveness is 

the ability to rapidly project and sustain an 

effective combat force close to a potential battle area. Threats to U.S. interests have changed in 

recent years, and the size and weight of U.S.-mechanized firepower and equipment have grown 

in response to improved capabilities of potential adversaries. This trend has significantly 

increased air mobility requirements, particularly in the area of large or heavy outsize cargo. As a 

result, newer and more flexible airlift aircraft are needed to meet potential armed contingencies, 

peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide. The C-17 is capable of meeting today's 

demanding airlift missions.

Features

Reliability and maintainability are two outstanding benefits of the C-17 system. Current 

operational requirements impose demanding reliability and maintainability. These requirements 

include an aircraft mission completion success probability rate of 92 percent, only 20 aircraft 

maintenance man-hours per flying hour, and full and partial mission availability rates of 74.7 and

82.5 percent, respectively. The Boeing warranty assures these figures will be met.

The C-17 measures 174 feet long (53 meters) with a wingspan of 169 feet, 10 inches (51.75 

meters). The aircraft is powered by four, fully reversible, Federal Aviation Administrationcertified F117-PW-100 engines (the military designation for the commercial Pratt & Whitney 

PW2040), currently used on the Boeing 757. Each engine is rated at 40,440 pounds of thrust. 

The thrust reversers direct the flow of air upward and forward to avoid ingestion of dust and 

debris. Maximum use has been made of off-the-shelf and commercial equipment, including Air 

Force-standardized avionics.

The aircraft is operated by a crew of three (pilot, copilot and loadmaster), reducing manpower 

requirements, risk exposure and long-term operating costs. Cargo is loaded onto the C-17 

through a large aft door that accommodates military vehicles and palletized cargo. The C-17 

can carry virtually all of the Army's air-transportable equipment.

Maximum payload capacity of the C-17 is 170,900 pounds (77,519 kilograms), and its maximum 

gross takeoff weight is 585,000 pounds (265,352 kilograms). With a payload of 169,000 pounds 

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(76,657 kilograms) and an initial cruise altitude of 28,000 feet (8,534 meters), the C-17 has an 

unrefueled range of approximately 2,400 nautical miles. Its cruise speed is approximately 450 

knots (.76 Mach). The C-17 is designed to airdrop 102 paratroopers and equipment.

The design of the aircraft allows it to operate through small, austere airfields. The C-17 can take 

off and land on runways as short as 3,500 feet (1,064 meters) and only 90 feet wide (27.4 

meters). Even on such narrow runways, the C-17 can turn around using a three-point star turn 

and its backing capability.

Background

The C-17 made its maiden flight on Sept. 15, 1991, and the first production model was delivered

to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., June 14, 1993. The first squadron of C-17s, the 17th Airlift 

Squadron, was declared operationally ready Jan. 17, 1995. The Air Force originally 

programmed to buy a total of 120 C-17s, with the last one being delivered in November 2004. 

Current budget plans involve purchasing 205 aircraft. 

The original 120 C-17s were based at Charleston AFB; McChord AFB, Wash., (first aircraft 

arrived in July 1999); Altus AFB, Okla.; and at an Air National Guard unit in Jackson, Miss. In 

August 2005, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., began basing the first of eight aircraft. In 

February 2006, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, received its first C-17.

The C-17 is operated by the Air Mobility Command at the 60th Airlift Wing and the 349th Air 

Mobility Wing (Associate Reserve) at Travis AFB, Calif.; 436th AW and 512th AW (Associate 

Reserve) at Dover AFB, Del.; 62nd AW and 446th AW (Associate Reserve) at McChord AFB, 

Wash.; 437th Airlift Wing and 315th AW (Associate Reserve) at Charleston AFB, S.C.; the 

305th AMW, McGuire AFB, N.J.; and the 172nd AW, Mississippi ANG. Additionally, Air Force 

Materiel Command operates two C-17s at Edwards AFB, Calif., and Pacific Air Forces operates 

eight aircraft each at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska and Hickam AFB, Hawaii (Associate Guard). The 

Air Force Reserve Command operates eight aircraft at March Air Reserve Base, Calif; and Air 

Education and Training Command has 12 aircraft at Altus AFB, Okla.

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Cargo and troop transport

Prime Contractor: Boeing Company

Power Plant: Four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines

Thrust: 40,440 pounds, each engine

Wingspan: 169 feet 10 inches (to winglet tips) (51.75 meters)

Length: 174 feet (53 meters)

Height: 55 feet 1 inch (16.79 meters)

Cargo Compartment: length, 88 feet (26.82 meters); width, 18 feet (5.48 meters); height, 12 

feet 4 inches (3.76 meters)

Speed: 450 knots at 28,000 feet (8,534 meters) (Mach .76)

Service Ceiling: 45,000 feet at cruising speed (13,716 meters)

Range: Global with in-flight refueling

Crew: Three (two pilots and one loadmaster)

Aeromedical Evacuation Crew: A basic crew of five (two flight nurses and three medical 

technicians) is added for aeromedical evacuation missions. Medical crew may be altered as 

required by the needs of patients

Maximum Peacetime Takeoff Weight: 585,000 pounds (265,352 kilograms)

Load: 102 troops/paratroops; 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients and attendants; 170,900 

pounds (77,519 kilograms) of cargo (18 pallet positions)

Unit Cost: Unit Cost: $202.3 million (fiscal 1998 constant dollars)

Date Deployed: June 1993

Inventory: Active duty, 158; Air National Guard, 8; Air Force Reserve, 8

Point of Contact

Air Mobility Command, Public Affairs Office; 503 Ward Drive Ste 214, Scott AFB, IL 62225-

5335, DSN 779-7843 or 618-229-7843.

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