Boeing C-17 Globemaster Iii (1.5:1) File
: With a service ceiling of 45,000 feet and in-flight refueling capabilities, the C-17 offers virtually unlimited global range for rapid response missions. General Specifications Wingspan 169 ft 10 in (51.75 m) Length 174 ft (53 m) Height 55 ft 1 in (16.79 m) Max Takeoff Weight 585,000 lbs (265,352 kg) Cruise Speed Mach 0.74 (approx. 450 knots) Crew 3 (Pilot, Co-pilot, Loadmaster) Modernization and Future
: Powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines, each producing over 40,000 lbs of thrust. These engines utilize thrust reversers that direct airflow upward and forward, allowing the aircraft to "back up" on slopes and avoid ingesting dust. Boeing C-17 Globemaster III (1.5:1)
: The C-17 can carry up to 170,900 pounds of cargo, accommodating 102 paratroopers, 36 litter patients, or heavy equipment like a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. : With a service ceiling of 45,000 feet
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a premier high-wing, four-engine strategic transport aircraft designed to bridge the gap between massive long-range haulers and tactical short-field airlifters. Developed to deliver troops and oversized cargo—including M1 Abrams tanks—directly to austere or forward operating bases, it has become the backbone of global air mobility for nine nations, including the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Air Force . Key Capabilities and Features These engines utilize thrust reversers that direct airflow
Although production ended in 2015 with 279 units built, Boeing continues to modernize the fleet. In February 2026, a new contract was announced to equip the aircraft with a modernized flight deck using modular open systems architecture (MOSA), ensuring the C-17 remains mission-ready for decades to come.
: It is uniquely capable of landing on runways as short as 3,500 feet and as narrow as 90 feet, even on unpaved surfaces.