C-17 Globemaster III
| C-17 Globemaster III | ||
|---|---|---|
 The C-17 Globemaster III | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Cargo and Troop Transport | |
| Crew | Three (2 Pilots, 1 Loadmaster) | |
| First Flight | ||
| Entered Service | June 1993 | |
| Manufacturer | Boeing Company | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 174 ft. 0 in. | 53 m |
| Wingspan | 169 ft. 10 in. | 57.75 m |
| Height | 55 ft. 1 in. | 16.79 m |
| Wing Area | 3,800 ft.² (Main wing) 35.85 ft.² (Winglet) | 353 m² 3.33 m² |
| Cargo Hold Dimensions | 88 ft. ÃÂ 18 ft. ÃÂ 12 ft. 4 in. | 26.8 m ÃÂ 5.5 m ÃÂ 3.8 m |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | lb. | kg |
| Loaded | lb. | kg |
| Maximum Takeoff | 585,000 lb. | 265,500 kg |
| Cargo | 170,900 lb. | 77,500 kg |
| Capacity | 102 troops/paratroops; 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients with attendants | |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | 4 ÃÂ Pratt and Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines | |
| Thrust | 40,440 lbf | 180 kN |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum Speed | 450 kt. | km/h |
| Combat Range | 2,400 n.m. (Base) 2,800 n.m. (ER) | 4,444 km 5,186 km. |
| Ferry Range | mi. | km |
| Service Ceiling | 45,000 ft. | 13,710 m |
| Rate of Climb | ft./min | m/min |
| Wing Loading | lb./ft.² | kg/m² |
| Thrust/Weight | ||
| Power/Mass | hp/lb. | kW/kg |
| Avionics | ||
| Avionics | ||
| Armament | ||
| Guns | ||
| Bombs | ||
| Missiles | ||
| Rockets | ||
| Other | ||
The C-17 Globemaster III is a transport plane manufactured by Boeing, used by the United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force.
| Table of contents |
|
2 Features 3 Background 4 Wartime Usage 5 Units Using the C-17 |
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 is also capable of performing tactical airlift and airdrop missions 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.
The C-17 measures 174 ft. long (53 m) with a wingspan of 169 ft. 10 in. (51.75 m). The aircraft is powered by four, fully reversible, Federal Aviation Administration–certified F117-PW-100 turbofan engines (the military designation for the commercial Pratt and Whitney PW2040), currently used on the Boeing 757. Each engine is rated at 40,440 lbf (180 kN) 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 lb. (77,519 kg), and its maximum gross takeoff weight is 585,000 lb. (265,352 kg). With a payload of 160,000 lb. (72,575 kg) and an initial cruise altitude of 28,000 ft. (8,534 m), the C-17 has an unrefueled range of approximately 2,400 n.m. (4,445 km) on the first 71 units, and 2,800 n.m. (5,186 km) on all subsequent units, which are extended-range models with an additional fuel tank in the center wing box. Its cruise speed is approximately 450 kt. (833 km/h) (.74 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 3,000 ft. (914 m) and only 90 ft. wide (27.4 m). Even on such narrow runways, the C-17 can turn around using a three-point star turn and its backing capability.
The C-17 Globemaster
In the early-1980s, USAF found itself with a very large, but aging fleet of C-141 Starlifters. Some of the C-141s had major structural problems as a result of heavy use. USAF also has historically never had sufficient strategic airlift capabilities to fulfill it's requirements. They elected to use the YC-14 as the basis for a new aircraft. The new aircraft differed in having swept wings, increased size, and more powerful engines. This would allow it to perform all work performed by the C-141, but to also fulfill some of the duties of the C-5 Galaxy, so that the C-5 fleet would be freed up for larger, more outsize cargo.
Its maiden flight was on September 15, 1991 from the McDonnell-Douglas west coast plant in Long Beach, California. The first production model was delivered to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., on June 14, 1993. The first squadron of C-17s, the 17th Airlift Squadron, was declared operationally ready on January 17, 1995. The Air Force originally programmed to buy a total of 120 C-17s, with the last one being scheduled for delivery in November 2004. The fiscal 2000 budget funded another 14 aircraft for Special Operations Command. Basing of the original 120 C-17s is planned for Charleston AFB; McChord AFB, Washington (first aircraft arrived in July 1999); Altus AFB, Oklahoma; and at an Air National Guard unit in Jackson, Miss. Basing of the additional 14 aircraft has not been determined. An additional 60 units were ordered in May of 2002. The Department of Defense is considering an additional 42 aircraft. Depending upon the fate of the C-5 Galaxy, there may be further orders. USAF originally intended to acquire about 350 units, though this was reduced at the end of the Cold War. However, USAF has been so pleased with the aircraft that it is entirely possible that the C-17 will be ordered in greater quantities than originally envisioned, with current orders standing at 199, and likely to reach 241 in the near future. In order to avoid dispruption of the production line in U.S. FY2006, USAF will have to make a decision on the 42-aircraft buy in early 2005. The RAF originally intended to lease their four C-17s for a limited amount of time, but on July 21, 2004, they elected to buy their four C-17s at the end of the lease. They also placed a follow-on order for one aircraft, though there may be additional purchases later, especially if the Airbus A400M does not live up to expectations.
The C-17 is operated by the Air Mobility Command at the 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston AFB, S.C.; the 62nd Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Wash; and the 315th Airlift Wing (Associate Reserve), Charleston AFB, S.C.; in the RAF the C-17 is operated by No. 99 Squadron.
Inventory: 121 (+73) (as of July 1, 2004)
Inventory: 4 (+1)
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.Background
Wartime Usage
The C-17 was used to deliver military goods and humanitarian aid during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as well as Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. On March 26, 2003, ten C-17s participated in the biggest combat airdrop since Operation Just Cause in Panama in December 1989. The night-time airdrop of 1,000 soldiers occurred over Bashur, Iraq. It opened the northern front to combat operations and constituted the largest formation airdrop since D-Day in World War II.Units Using the C-17
United States Air Force
Royal Air Force
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