C-17 Globemaster III

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C-17 Globemaster III
A C-17 Globemaster III taking off.
Type Strategic airlifter
Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas/Boeing
Maiden flight 15 September 1991
Introduction 14 July 1993
Status In service
Primary users United States Air Force
Royal Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
Canadian Forces
Number built 158 as of 2006[1]
Unit cost $202.3 million (1998)[2]
Developed from McDonnell Douglas YC-15

The Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) C-17 Globemaster III is an American strategic airlifter manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, and operated by the United States Air Force, British Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Canadian Forces Air Command.[3] NATO also has plans to acquire the airlifter.

The C-17 Globemaster III 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. It is also capable of performing tactical airlift, medical evacuation and airdrop missions. The C-17 takes its name from two previous heavy lifter aircraft, the C-74 Globemaster and the C-124 Globemaster II.

Contents

In the 1970s, USAF began looking for a replacement for the C-130 Hercules tactical airlifter. The Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) competition was held, with Boeing proposing the YC-14, and McDonnell Douglas proposing the YC-15. Despite both entrants exceeding specified requirements, the AMST competition was canceled before a winner had been selected.

The McDonnell-Douglas YC-15 design was used as the basis for the C-17.
The McDonnell-Douglas YC-15 design was used as the basis for the C-17.

By the early-1980s, the USAF found itself with a large aging fleet of C-141 Starlifters. Some of the C-141s had major structural problems due to heavy use. Compounding matters, USAF historically never possessed sufficient strategic airlift capabilities to fulfill its airlift requirements. In response, McDonnell Douglas elected to develop a new aircraft using the YC-15 as the basis. McDonnell Douglas won the contract to build its proposed aircraft, by then designated the C-17A Globemaster III, on August 28, 1981. 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, freeing the C-5 fleet for larger outsize cargo.

Development continued until December 1985 when a full-scale production contract was signed for 210 aircraft. Development problems and limited funding caused delays in the late 1980s.[4] Questions were also raised about more cost effective alternatives during this time. In April 1990, Defense Secretary Cheney reduced the order from 210 to 120 aircraft. The C-17's maiden flight was on September 15, 1991 from the McDonnell Douglas west coast plant in Long Beach, California, about a year behind schedule.[5] This aircraft (T-1) and five more production models (P1-P5) participated in extensive flight testing and evaluation at Edwards AFB. In late 1993, the DoD gave the contractor two years to solve production and cost overrun problems or face termination of the contract after the delivery of the fortieth aircraft. By accepting the 1993 terms, McDonnell Douglas incurred a loss of nearly US$1.5 billion on the development phase of the program.[5]

In April 1994, the C-17 program was still experiencing cost overruns, and did not meet weight, fuel burn, payload and range specifications. Airflow issues caused problems with parachutes and there were various other technical problems with mission software, landing gear, etc.[6] A July 1994 GAO document revealed that to justify investing in the C-17 rather than in the C-5, Air Force and DoD studies from 1986 and 1991 had claimed that the C-17 could use 6,400 more runways (outside the US) than the C-5. It was later discovered that this study had only considered the runway dimensions, but not their strength or Load Classification Numbers (LCN). The C-5 has a lower LCN than the C-17, although the US Air Force places both in the same broad Load Classification Group (LCG). When considering runway dimensions and their load ratings, the C-17's worldwide runway advantage over the C-5 shrank from 6,400 to 911 airfields.[7] However, the C-17's ability to use lower quality, austere airfields was not considered.[7]

A January 1995 GAO report revealed that while the original C-17 budget was US$41.8 billion for 210 aircraft, the 120 aircraft already ordered at that point had already cost US$39.5 billion.[8] In March 1994, the U.S. Army had decided it no longer needed the 60,000 lb (27,000 kg) Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System (LAPES) delivery that the C-17 was supposed to provide, feeling that the 42,000 lb (19,000 kg) capability of the C-130 Hercules was sufficient. It was decided not to conduct C-17 LAPES training beyond the testing of a 42,000 lb (19,000 kg) LAPES delivery. There were still airflow problems making it impossible for the C-17 to meet its original airdrop requirements. A February 1997 GAO Report revealed that a C-17 with a full payload could not land on 3,000 feet (900 m) wet runways, for simulations suggested 5,000 ft (1,500 m) was required.[9]

By the mid-1990s, most of the problems had been resolved.[10] The first C-17 squadron was declared operational by the U.S. Air Force in January 1995. In 1996, DoD ordered another 80 aircraft for a total of 120. In 1997 McDonnell Douglas merged with its former competitor, Boeing. In 1998, the order was increased to 134 units and in August 2002 to 180.

Three C-17s unload supplies to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi in August 2005.
Three C-17s unload supplies to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi in August 2005.

In July 2006, C-17A production was planned to end in 2009 unless Boeing received a follow-on order in sufficient time to allow the production pipeline to remain in operation. If such an order is placed, Boeing would begin C-17B production in 2010. The proposed C-17B would be capable of landing on sandy beaches and other areas off-limits to the C-17A.[11]

On August 18, 2006 Boeing announced it was telling suppliers to stop work on parts for uncommitted C-17s. This move is the first step in shutting down production if no new plane orders were received from the US Government.[12] However, just one month later on September 21, a House and Senate conference committee approved a US$447 billion defense bill for 2007, that includes US$2.1 billion for 10 additional C-17s – which is seven more planes than either chamber originally approved in separate versions of their funding language. The additional purchase follows intense lobbying by the Boeing, as well as politicians from California, where the plane is made, and Missouri, where Boeing's defense business is based.[13] However, this extends the life of the program for only one additional year, to 2010.

On March 2, 2007, Boeing announced the C-17 production line may end in mid-2009 due to the lack of additional U.S. government and international orders.[14]

A total of 190 C-17s are contracted for delivery to the USAF as of October 24, 2007. Efforts are underway to add a further 10 C-17s to a funding/supplemental bill so that production may be extended to 2010 and to allow for further potential FMS purchases to take effect.

The inside of a C-17
The inside of a C-17

In recent years the size and weight of U.S. mechanized firepower and equipment have grown, which has significantly increased air mobility requirements, particularly in the area of large or heavy outsize cargo. The C-17 can airlift such cargo close to a potential battle area.

The C-17 is powered by four fully reversible, F117-PW-100 turbofan engines (the Department of Defense designation for the commercial Pratt and Whitney PW2040, currently used on the Boeing 757). Each engine is rated at 40,400 lbf (180 kN) of thrust.[15] The thrust reversers direct the flow of air upward and forward. This facilitates a decreased rate of ingestion of foreign object debris (FOD) as well as reverse thrust capable of backing the aircraft. Additionally, the C-17's thrust reversers can be used in flight[15] at idle-reverse for added drag in maximum-rate descents.

The aircraft is operated by a minimum crew of three (pilot, copilot, and loadmaster). Cargo is loaded onto the C-17 through a large aft door that accommodates both rolling stock (vehicles, trailers, etc.) and palletized cargo. The cargo floor has rollers (used for palletized cargo) that can be flipped to provide a flat floor suitable for rolling stock. One of the larger pieces of rolling stock that this aircraft can carry is the 70-ton M1 Abrams tank.

C-17 landing, showing its landing gear.
C-17 landing, showing its landing gear.

Maximum payload capacity of the C-17 is 170,900 lb (77,500 kg), and its maximum gross takeoff weight is 585,000 lb (265,350 kg). With a payload of 160,000 lb (72,600 kg) and an initial cruise altitude of 28,000 ft (8,500 m), the C-17 has an unrefueled range of approximately 2,400 nautical miles (4,400 km) on the first 71 units, and 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 km) on all subsequent units, which are extended-range models using the sealed center wing bay as a fuel tank. These units are informally referred to by Boeing as the C-17 ER.[16] Its cruise speed is approximately 450 knots (833 km/h) (0.76 Mach).[2] The C-17 is designed to airdrop 102 paratroopers and equipment.

The C-17 is designed to operate from runways as short as 3,500 ft (1,064 m) and as narrow as 90 ft (27 m). In addition, the C-17 can operate out of unpaved, unimproved runways (although there is the increased possibility of damage to the aircraft).[2] The thrust reversers can be used to back the aircraft and reverse direction on narrow taxiways using a three-point (or in some cases, multi-point) turn maneuver.[2]

The first production model was delivered to Charleston Air Force Base, SC, on July 14, 1993. The first squadron of C-17s, the 17th Airlift Squadron, was declared operationally ready on January 17, 1995.[17] The C-17 has broken 22 records for oversized payloads.[18] The C-17 was awarded aviation's most prestigious award, the Collier Trophy in 1994.[19]

Thirteen USAF C-17 Globemaster IIIs on a low level tactical training mission.
Thirteen USAF C-17 Globemaster IIIs on a low level tactical training mission.

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 was at Charleston AFB, South Carolina, McChord Air Force Base, Washington (first aircraft arrived in July 1999), Altus AFB, Oklahoma, and the 172d Airlift Wing at Jackson, Mississippi. Basing of the additional 13 aircraft went to McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware and Travis Air Force Base, California. An additional 60 units were ordered in May of 2002. In FY 2006, Eight C-17s were delivered to the 452d Air Mobility Wing at March ARB, California. These C-17s are the only ones strictly under direct command of the Air Force Reserve Command.

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, fifteen USAF C-17s participated in the biggest combat airdrop since the United States invasion of Panama in December, 1989: the night-time airdrop of 1,000 paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade occurred over Bashur, Iraq. It opened the northern front to combat operations and constituted the largest formation airdrop carried out by the United States since World War II.

USAF C-17A taxiing to the take off point at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England.
USAF C-17A taxiing to the take off point at the Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, England.

USAF C-17s have also been used to assist US Allies transport military equipment. This has included the transportation of Canadian armored vehicles to Afghanistan in 2003 and the redeployment of Australian forces in Australia and the Solomon Islands during the Australian-led military deployment to East Timor in 2006. In late September and early November 2006, USAF C-17s flew 15 Canadian Forces Leopard C2 tanks from Kyrgyzstan into Kandahar AF in support of the Afghanistan NATO mission.

There has been debate regarding follow-on orders for the C-17, with the Air Force requesting line shutdown, and members of Congress attempting to reinstate production. Furthermore, in FY2007, the Air Force requested $1.6 billion to deal with what it termed "excessive combat use" on operational airframes.[20]

Boeing has actively marketed the C-17 to many European nations including Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Of these, the UK was always seen as the most likely customer given its increasingly expeditionary military strategy and global commitments. The Royal Air Force has established an aim of having interoperability and some weapons and capabilities commonality with the United States Air Force. The UK's 1998 Strategic Defence Review identified a requirement for a strategic airlifter. The Short-Term Strategic Airlift (STSA) competition commenced in September of that year, however tendering was canceled in August 1999 with some bids identified by ministers as too expensive (including the Boeing/BAe C-17 bid) and others unsuitable.[21] The project continued, with the C-17 seen as the favorite.[21] The UK Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, announced in May 2000 that the RAF would lease four C-17s at an annual cost of £100 million[20] from Boeing for an initial seven years with an optional two year extension. At this point the RAF would have the option to buy the aircraft or return them to Boeing. The UK committed to upgrading the C-17s in line with the USAF so that in the event of them being returned to Boeing the USAF could adopt them.

The first C-17 was delivered to the RAF at Boeing's Long Beach facility on May 17, 2001 and flown to RAF Brize Norton by a crew from No. 99 Squadron which had previously trained with USAF crews to gain competence on the type. The RAF's fourth C-17 was delivered on August 24, 2001. The RAF aircraft were some of the first to take advantage of the new center wing fuel tank.

The RAF declared itself delighted with the C-17 and reports began to emerge that they wished to retain the aircraft regardless of the A400M's progress. Although the C-17 fleet was to be a fallback for the A400M, the UK announced on July 21, 2004 that they have elected to buy their four C-17s at the end of the lease, even though the A400M is moving towards production. They will also be placing a follow-on order for one aircraft, though there may be additional purchases later.[22] While the A400M is described as a "strategic" airlifter, the C-17 gives the RAF true strategic capabilities that it would not wish to lose, for example a maximum payload of 77,000 kg compared to the Airbus' 37,000 kg.[20]

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on August 4, 2006 that they had ordered an additional C-17 and that the four aircraft on lease will be purchased at the end of the current contract in 2008. The fifth aircraft is due to be delivered in 2008. Due to fears that the A400M may suffer further delays, the MoD is planning to acquire three more C-17s (for a total of eight) for delivery in 2009-2010, provided that the U.S. Air Force places a follow-on order extending through the same time period.[23] On July 26, 2007, Defence Secretary Des Browne announced that the MoD intends to order a sixth C-17 to boost operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.[24] On December 3, 2007, the MoD announced a contract with Boeing for a sixth C-17 to be delivered in mid-2008.[25]

In RAF service the C-17 has not been given an official designation (e.g. C-130J referred to as Hercules C4 or C5) due to its leased status, but is referred to simply as the C-17. Following the end of the lease period the four aircraft will assume an RAF designation, most likely "Globemaster C1".

The RAAF's first C-17 in flight over Canberra
The RAAF's first C-17 in flight over Canberra
Wing Commander Linda Corbould, commander of No. 36 Squadron RAAF, training in a USAF C-17
Wing Commander Linda Corbould, commander of No. 36 Squadron RAAF, training in a USAF C-17

In late 2005, it was revealed that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) was considering the purchase of four C-17s or eight A400Ms for strategic transport. Minister for Defence Robert Hill stated that the Australian Defence Force was considering such aircraft due to the limited availability of strategic airlift aircraft from partner nations and air freight companies. The C-17 was considered to be the favorite as it was a "proven aircraft" and was already in production. One major requirement from the RAAF was the ability to airlift the Army's new M1 Abrams main battle tanks; another requirement was immediate delivery. Though unstated, commonality with the USAF and the United Kingdom's RAF was also considered advantageous. The aircraft for the RAAF were ordered directly from the USAF production run, and are identical to American C-17 even in paint scheme, the only difference being the national markings. This has allowed delivery to commence within nine months of commitment to the program.[26]

On March 2, 2006 the Australian Government announced the purchase of three aircraft and one option with an entry into service date of 2006.[20] The Australian Government's 2006-07 budget (May 2006) included funding of A$2.2 billion to fund the purchase of three or four C-17s and related spare parts and training equipment.[27] In July 2006 a fixed price contract was awarded to Boeing to deliver four C-17s for US$780m (AUD$1bn). Work on the aircraft will be completed in phases, with the first C-17 delivered to Australia in December 2006 and follow on deliveries continuing through to February 2008.[28]

The Royal Australian Air Force took delivery of its first C-17 in a ceremony at Boeing's plant at Long Beach, California on 29 November 2006.[29] Several days later the aircraft flew from Hickam Air Force Base, Honolulu, Hawaii to Defence Establishment Fairbairn, Canberra, arriving on December 4, 2006. The aircraft was formally accepted in a ceremony at Fairbairn shortly after arrival.[30] The second aircraft was delivered to the RAAF on 11 May 2007. They are operated by No. 36 Squadron based out of RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland.[31]

Canada has a long-standing need for strategic airlift for humanitarian and military operations around the world. The Canadian Forces (CF) have followed the pattern of the Luftwaffe in using rented Antonovs and Ilyushins for many of their needs, including deploying the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to tsunami-stricken Sri Lanka in 2005. The CF was forced to rely entirely on leased An-124 Condors for a deployment to Haiti in 2003, as well as a combination of leased Condors, Ilyushins and USAF C-17s for moving heavy equipment into Afghanistan. The Canadian Forces Future Strategic Airlifter Project studied alternatives since 2002, including long-term leasing arrangements.[32]

On July 5, 2006, the Canadian government issued a notice that it intended to negotiate directly with Boeing for the purchase of four airlifters.[33] Then on February 1, 2007 Canada awarded the contract for four C-17s for delivery beginning in August 2007.[34] Like Australia, Canada will be granted airframes originally slated for the U.S. Air Force, to accelerate delivery.[35]

On June 16, 2007, the first Canadian C-17 rolled off the assembly line at Long Beach, California and into the paint hangar for painting and addition of Canadian markings including the national logo and the Air Command roundel.[36] The first Canadian C-17 made its initial flight on July 23.[37] It was turned over to Canada on August 8[3] and participated at the Abbotsford Airshow on August 11 prior to arriving at its new home base at 8 Wing, CFB Trenton, Ontario on August 12.[38] Its first operational mission was delivery of disaster relief to Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Dean.[39] The second C-17 arrived at 8 Wing Trenton on October 18, 2007. The remaining two aircraft are expected to be delivered in spring 2008.[40] The C-17 is officially designated CC-177 Globemaster III within the Canadian Forces.[41] The aircraft are assigned to 429 Squadron.

The Royal Danish Air Force signed a letter of intent to purchase C-17s on July 19, 2006 at the 2006 Farnborough Air Show to participate in the joint purchase and operation of C-17s within NATO, a program called the NATO Strategic Airlift Capability.[42] A further letter of intent was announced on September 12, 2006 that includes Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and the United States to be part of a larger NATO joint purchase.[43] This purchase would probably be similar to NATO's purchase of the E-3A Sentry. Later on, NATO countries Hungary and Norway, as well as Partner country Sweden also signed the Letter of Intent.[42] Finland has also shown interest to join the program. The purchase will encompass three or four C-17s, which will operate in the same fashion as the NATO AWACS aircraft.[44] The AWACS aircraft are jointly manned by crew from various NATO countries.

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and resultant tsunamis placed a strain on the global strategic airlifter pool. The performance of the C-17 in USAF and RAF service has led to Germany considering 2-4 C-17s for the Luftwaffe in a Dry lease arrangement, at least until the A400M is available in 2009. Germany's former Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer stated in the German news magazine Der Spiegel that the government needed its own organic strategic transport capability to be able to respond to disasters in a better manner than it was able to for this incident. During the tsunami relief effort, Germany tried to acquire transport through its usual method of wet leasing Antonov airlifters via private companies, but found to its dismay that there were no available aircraft. While the stated goal of a C-17 lease would be to last until the A400M's arrival, the Luftwaffe may elect to retain them.[45] Luftwaffe acquired meanwhile airlift capacity through the NATO SALIS contract.[46]

The Swedish Armed Forces have in a spring 2006 budget proposal identified a need for a strategic airlift capability for use with the EU Nordic Battle Group led by Sweden. Repeated reports in the Swedish media suggest that the Armed Forces are lobbying hard for the airlift requirement to be satisfied with the purchase of two C-17s. A request for information on the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration website stated that Sweden must be able to deploy the battle group up to 4000 nautical miles away with 6000 tons of military equipment, quarter of that being oversized. In late 2006, Sweden signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to join the NATO Strategic Airlift Capability (NSAC).[42]

In September, 2006, General Paul V. Hester, head of the United States Pacific Air Forces, stated that Japan was considering purchasing C-17s to equip the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.[47]

In the mid-1990s, McDonnell Douglas began to market the C-17 to commercial civilian operators, under the name MD-17.[48] Due to its high projected fuel, maintenance and depreciation cost for a low-cycle military design in commercial service, as well as a limited market dominated by the An-124 and A300-600ST, very little interest was expressed. After McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing, the program was renamed BC-17.[49] However, the aircraft received no orders.

In March 2007, Global Heavylift Holdings LLC expressed interest in the purchase of up to thirty new airframes.[50] Another press release by Global Heavylift Holdings a few days later was a little more tame as to their financial backing.[51]

RAF, RAAF and USAF C-17s and flight crews at RAF Brize Norton in June 2007
RAF, RAAF and USAF C-17s and flight crews at RAF Brize Norton in June 2007
A training mission in Jan. 2007 over the Hawaiian Islands
A training mission in Jan. 2007 over the Hawaiian Islands
A C-17 release a barrage of flares. The wing-tip vortices can be seen in the flare smoke behind the aircraft.
A C-17 release a barrage of flares. The wing-tip vortices can be seen in the flare smoke behind the aircraft.
A C-17 performs touch and go landings while another C-17 prepares for take-off
A C-17 performs touch and go landings while another C-17 prepares for take-off

Inventory: 169 total, (71 C-17, 98 C-17ER) with 21 C-17ERs remaining on order (as of October 2, 2007) Total on order/delivered is 190.

Total International Inventory: 8 C-17ERs, (5 C-17ERs remaining deliveries) (as of October 18, 2007)

Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom
Inventory: 4 C-17ERs (2 C-17ER on order for delivery in 2008).

Flag of Australia Australia
Inventory: 2 C-17ERs, 2 C-17ERs on order to be delivered in 2007-2008 (as of May 2007).

Flag of Canada Canada
Inventory: 2 C-17ER with 2 C-17ERs on order. Remaining C-17ERs will be delivered in early 2008 (as of October 2007).[40]

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
0 16 16 16 16 16 16 14 13
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
11 10 7 6 6 8 5 4 1

Source: C-17 Globemaster III Pocket Guide[54]

  • On December 10, 2003, a US Air Force C-17 (tail number 98-0057) was hit by a SAM after take-off from Baghdad, Iraq. One engine was disabled and the aircraft returned for a safe landing.[55][56] The aircraft was repaired and returned to service.[57]

Data from USAF fact sheet,[2] Boeing,[58] and AerospaceWeb[59]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3: 2 pilots, 1 loadmaster
  • Capacity:
    • 102 troops or
    • 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients
  • Payload: 170,900 lb (77,519 kg) of cargo distributed at max over 18 463L master pallets or a mix of palletized cargo and vehicles
  • Length: 174 ft (53 m)
  • Wingspan: 169.8 ft (51.75 m)
  • Height: 55.1 ft (16.8 m)
  • Wing area: 3,800 ft² (353 m²)
  • Empty weight: 282,500 lb (128,100 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 585,000 lb (265,350 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4× Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofans, 40,440 lbf (180 kN) each
  • Fuel capacity: 35,546 US gal (134,556 L)

Performance

  1. ^ US Air Force Facts & Figures, AFA.org, May 2007. Note: C-17 total from active, reserve and air guard
  2. ^ a b c d e C-17 fact sheet, US Air Force
  3. ^ a b "Boeing Delivers Canada's First C-17"
  4. ^ Historical Realities of C-17 Program
  5. ^ a b CRS Report for Congress. Military Airlift: C-17 Aircraft Program
  6. ^ GAO Testimony before the SubCommitte on Military Acquisition
  7. ^ a b GAO Comparison of C-5 and C-17 Airfield Availability
  8. ^ C-17 Cost and Performance Issues
  9. ^ C-17 Globemaster Support of Operation Joint Endevour
  10. ^ Air Force Secretary Says Modernization, C-17 on Track, Air Force magazine, September 19, 1995.
  11. ^ "Denmark Signs Up For Boeing C-17 In NATO Deal." Christie, R. The Wall Street Journal. July 19, 2006.
  12. ^ Boeing preparing to end C-17 production
  13. ^ Boeing's C-17 line wins a reprieve on new funding
  14. ^ Boeing Announces C-17 Line May End in mid-2009; Stops Procurement of Long-lead Parts
  15. ^ a b Pratt & Whitney's F117 page
  16. ^ "C-17/C-17 ER Flammable Material Locations." Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. May 1, 2005.
  17. ^ Norton 2001, p. 94-95.
  18. ^ [1]
  19. ^ [2]
  20. ^ a b c d Fulghum, D., Butler, A., Barrie, D.: "Australia Picks C-17.", Aviation Week & Space Technology. March 13, 2006, page 43.
  21. ^ a b O'Connell, Dominic. "Political clash haunts MoD deal decision", The Business, Sunday Business Group, 1999-12-05. Retrieved on 2007-02-07. 
  22. ^ "RAF's Globe Master." Global Defence Review. 2003.
  23. ^ "MoD pins hopes on Boeing C17 amid Airbus doubts." Robertson, D. The Times. December 28, 2006.
  24. ^ "Browne: Purchase of extra C-17 will 'significantly boost' UK military operations". UK Ministry of Defence news, July 27, 2007.
  25. ^ "RAF gets sixth C-17 Globemaster", UK Ministry of Defence news, 4 December 2007.
  26. ^ "Stock Standard." Aviation Week & Space Technology. December 11, 2006.
  27. ^ Defence to by C-17 Aircraft. Retrieved on 2006-05-09.
  28. ^ "Boeing wins $780 mln deal for Australia C-17s." Reuters. Reuters. July 31, 2006.
  29. ^ RAAF gets first of giant planes. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
  30. ^ First C-17 arrives in Australia. Retrieved on 2006-12-04.
  31. ^ Creedy, Steve. "Second C-17 on course for Brisbane", The Australian, 2007-05-11. Retrieved on 2007-05-11. 
  32. ^ "Strategic lift capacity for Canada", The Ploughshares Monitor, 2005.
  33. ^ Airlift Capability Project - Strategic ACP-S - ACAN MERX Website - Government of Canada
  34. ^ Gov't Inks $3.4B Deal to Buy Boeing Jets: CTV. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  35. ^ "Canada gets USAF slots for August delivery after signing for four Boeing C-17 in 20-year C$4bn deal, settles provincial workshare quabble." Wastnage, J. Flight International. February 5, 2007.
  36. ^ Canada's First CC177 gets painted - in the factory and Canada's First CC177 gets painted - rolling off the line
  37. ^ "Canada One C-17 makes first flight", Boeing, July 25, 2007.
  38. ^ "First CC-177 Globemaster III Receives Patriotic and Enthusiastic Welcome" - Department of National Defence.
  39. ^ "Canada's newest military aircraft leaves on mission" Cnews.com August 24, 2007.
  40. ^ a b "Second CC-177 Globemaster III arrives at 8 Wing Trenton", Canadian Forces, October 19, 2007.
  41. ^ "Canada's Air Force - Aircraft - CC-177 Globemaster III"
  42. ^ a b c NATO Strategic Airlift Capability
  43. ^ NATO to place order for C-17s,Long Beach Press Telegram September 13, 2006
  44. ^ NATO AWACS Homepage of the E-3 Component
  45. ^ "Berlin designates tsunami relief as aid." Expatica. January 17, 2005.
  46. ^ Background — Airlifters — NATO's Strategic Airlift Interim Solution Canadian American Strategic Review (CASR) Simon Fraser University
  47. ^ "Aussies learn C-17 ropes." Air Force Times. October 25, 2006.
  48. ^ MD-17 Receives FAA Certification
  49. ^ Boeing proposes BC-17X
  50. ^ Bloomberg.com: Global Heavylift Plans to Buy C-17 Cargo Planes From Boeing
  51. ^ PRNewswire
  52. ^ "Master plan for C-17s." Air Force News. Volume 48, No. 4, March 23, 2006
  53. ^ "Canada's New Government Re-Establishes Squadron to Support C-17 Aircraft"
  54. ^ "C-17 Globemaster III Pocket Guide", The Boeing Company, Long Beach, CA, March 2006
  55. ^ SAM incidents
  56. ^ Aviation Safety net information on incident to 98-0057
  57. ^ Image from 2004
  58. ^ a b Boeing C-17 backgrounder
  59. ^ C-17 Globemaster III page on Aerospaceweb.org
  • Kennedy, Betty R. Globemaster III: Acquiring the C-17, Air Mobility Command Office of History, 2004.
  • Norton, Bill. Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, Specialty Press, 2001. ISBN 1-58007-061-2.

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See also

v • d • e
McDonnell and McDonnell Douglas military aircraft

Fighters: XP-67 · FH · F2H · XF-85 · XF-88 · F3H · F-101 · F-110 · F-4 · F-15 · F/A-18 · CF-188 · YF-23 · F/A-18E/F

Attack: AH · AV-8 · F-15E · A-12 · EA-18

Trainers: T-45

Transports: C-9 · KC-10 · YC-15 · C-17

Helicopters: XHJH · XH-20 · XHCH · XHRH · AH-64

Drones: TD2D · KDH

Experimental: XV-1 · X-36 · Bird of Prey -

Spacecraft: Mercury · Gemini
v • d • e
Boeing military tranport and support aircraft

Piston-engined transports: C-73 · C-75 · C-97 · C-98

Jet transports: C-135 · C-137 · SAM 26000 · SAM 27000 · CC-137 · YC-14 · C-17 · C-22 · VC-25A · C-32 · C-40

Tanker-transports: KB-29 · KB-50 · KC-97 · KC-135 · KC-137 · KC-10 · KC-767

Trainers: PT-13/PT-17/PT-18/PT-27 · T-43 · T-45

Surveillance: EC-135 · EC-18 · E-3 · E-4 · E-6 · E-8 · E-10 · E-767 · 737 AEW&C

Reconnaissance: NC-135 · OC-135B · RC-135 · WC-135

Experimental: X-20 · X-36 · X-37 · X-40 · Bird of Prey · UAVs: X-50 · A160
v • d • e
Lists relating to aviation
General Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines
Military Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft
Notable incidents
and accidents		 Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths
Records Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-17_Globemaster_III"