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Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

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C-17 Globemaster III
Bottom view of four-engine jet transport (C-141 Starlifter) in-flight.
A USAF C-17A Globemaster III in flight.
Role Strategic airlifter
National origin United States
Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas / Boeing
First flight 15 September 1991
Introduction 17 January 1995
Status Retired
Primary user United States Air Force
Number built 279[1]

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a heavy-lift cargo aircraft that is used to transport equipment, supplies and other cargo over long distances. It was designed to replace the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter[2][3] and complement the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy in its purpose.[4]

The C-17 first flew on 15 September 1991. The first production model was delivered to Charleston Air Force Base on 14 June 1993. The C-17 was declared operational ready on 17 January 1995. The United States Air Force planned to buy 120 aircraft,[4] but because of the plane's success the Air Force increased its orders and has a fleet of 222 C-17s, plus one crashed in 2010.[5]

Operators

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References

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  • "2025: World Air Forces". Flight Global. Retrieved 29 December 2025.

Citations

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  1. ↑ "Workers at Boeing Say Goodbye to C-17 with Last Major Join Thursday" Archived 6 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Press-Telegram, 26 February 2015.
  2. ↑ Long, Randall L. (March 1997). "The USAF C-17 Fleet: A Strategic Airlift Shortfall?" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC). Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  3. ↑ Bolkcom, Christopher (25 January 2007). "Military Airlift: C-17 Aircraft Program" (PDF). DTIC. Congressional Research Service.
  4. 1 2 "Airlift Requirements: Commercial Freighters Can Help Meet Requirements at Greatly Reduced Costs" (PDF). United States Government Accountability Office. July 1994. Retrieved 27 December 2025.
  5. 1 2 "C-17 Globemaster III". United States Air Force. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "C-17A Globemaster III". Royal Australian Air Force. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  7. ↑ "CC-177 Globemaster III". Government of Canada. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  8. ↑ Brackens, Brian (27 August 2019). "Air Force delivers last C-17 to India". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 29 December 2025.[permanent dead link]
  9. ↑ "Kuwait Air Force receive 1st C-17 through 437th AW 'Seasoning' program". Joint Base Charleston. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2025.[permanent dead link]
  10. ↑ "NATO-Partner Strategic Airlift Capability Provides Airlift to its 12 Member Nations". Allied Air Command, NATO. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  11. ↑ "Qatar Emiri Air Force C-17 taking off". Boeing Images. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  12. ↑ "Boeing Delivers UAE Air Force and Air Defence's 1st C-17". Boeing. Long Beach, California. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  13. ↑ "Globemaster (C-17)". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
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