C-17A Globemaster III Aircraft ~ forcesmilitary

The C-17 Globemaster III is the latest addition to the RAF’s inventory of transport cargo aircraft. It is capable of rapid, strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases anywhere in the world or directly to more temporary forward operating bases owing to its short field capability. The design of the aircraft allows it to carry out high-angle, steep approaches at relatively slow speeds, thus allowing it to operate into small, austere airfields onto runways as short as 3,500 feet long and only 90 feet wide.

The C-17A Globemaster III aircraft can operate into and out of problematic sites such as those
surrounded by inhospitable terrain or made difficult by adverse weather conditions. The fully-integrated, electronic flight-deck and the advanced cargo-handling systems allow a basic crew of only two pilots and one air loadmaster to operate the aircraft. On the ground, the aircraft can be turned in a very small radius and its four Pratt & Whitney engines are fully reversible, giving it the ability to manoeuvre into and out of restricted parking or freight-offload areas at undeveloped strips.

C-17A Globemaster III Aircraft

This enables the C-17 Globemaster III Aircraft to deliver cargo to small airfields with limited parking space in a shorter time, so increasing throughput where time on the ground is kept to a minimum. The C-17 can transport 100,000lbs of freight over 4,500 nautical miles whilst flying at heights in excess of 30,000 feet.

C-17A Globemaster III

Cargo is loaded on to the C-17 through a large rear door that can accommodate military vehicles
and palletised cargo. It can carry almost any of the Army’s air-transportable, outsized combat
equipment, ranging from a Challenger tank, to three Warrior armoured vehicles or 13 Landrovers, and
can carry a Chinook helicopter or three Apache-sized helicopters. It carries all its own role-equipment
and can fit centre-line seating, which increases the seating capacity from 54 side-wall seats to 102 seats. The aircraft can also be configured in the aeromedical evacuation role to carry a full stretcher fit. The C-17 needs little or no ground support equipment and if none is available it can perform a combat off-load where pallets are dropped from the aircraft ramp on to the taxiway or hardstanding.

C-17A Globemaster III Aircraft

The C-17 gives the RAF a long-range strategic heavylift transport aircraft that offers the ability to project and sustain an effective force close to a potential area of operations for combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian missions worldwide. The aircraft is a declared part of the UK’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force and the RAF is currently the only European force which can offer ‘outsize airlift’ assets from within its own inventory.

C-17A Globemaster III Specifications
Powerplant: Four Pratt and Whitney F117- PW-100 turbofans
Thrust: 40,400lbs each
Wingspan: 52m (170ft 8ins)
Length: 53m (174ft)
Height: 16.79m (55ft 2ins)
Max T/O weight: 265,909kg (585,000lbs)
Max range: 4,700nmls
Max speed: Mach 0.875
Max altitude: 45,000ft

Long-range, strategic heavy-lift transport aircraft. Capable of operating into austere strips with short runways and limited facilities. Basic crew of two pilots and one air loadmaster. Can carry ‘outsize’ loads up to 135,000lbs single-item weight. Self-supporting, needing little or no ground equipment for offload of cargo. Declared part of the UK’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force.