3 Background

The C-17 was designed and created by what was then McDonnell-Douglas (the company and project were taken over by BoeingThe Boeing Company ( NYSE:BA) is a leading American aircraft and aerospace manufacturer, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with its largest production facilities near Seattle, Washington. It is also a defense contractor. It is listed on the New York Sto later in the decade.) It was based upon an earlier McDonnell-Douglas product, the YC-15McDonnell-Douglas YC-15 The YC-15 was McDonnell-Douglas' entry into the USAF's Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) competition, to replace the C-130 Hercules as the USAF's standard STOL tactical transport. The AMST project introduced a number of innovat. This aircraft was the result of a runoff with the BoeingThe Boeing Company ( NYSE:BA) is a leading American aircraft and aerospace manufacturer, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with its largest production facilities near Seattle, Washington. It is also a defense contractor. It is listed on the New York Sto YC-14Boeing YC-14 The YC-14 was Boeing's entry into the USAF's Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) competition, to replace the C-130 Hercules as the USAF's standard STOL tactical transport. The AMST project introduced a number of innovative features, such as in the Advanced Medium STOL TransportBoeing YC-14 The Advanced Medium STOL Transport AMST project was intended to replace the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tactical transport in USAF service. The project was given go-ahead in 1970. The Department of Defense submitted an RFP in 1972. In 1973, Boein project. However, the project was canceled before a winner was selected.

By the early- 1980sMillennia: 1st millennium 2nd millennium 3rd millennium Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s 2030s Years: 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Events and trends, the 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 its requirements. They elected to use the YC-15 as the basis for a new aircraft. This aircraft, by then designated the C-17A Globemaster III was ordered in August 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, so that the C-5 fleet would be freed up for larger, more outsize cargo.

Development continued until December, 1985 when a full-scale production contract was signed. Its maiden flight was on September 15, 1991 from the McDonnell-Douglas west coast plant in Long Beach, California. This aircraft and five more production models participated in flight testing and evaluation.

3.1 USAF background

The first production model was delivered to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., on July 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 (first aircraft arrived in July 1999); Altus AFB ; 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 180, and likely to reach 222 in the near future. In order to avoid disruption of the production line in U.S. FY 2006, USAF will have to make a decision on the 42-aircraft buy in early 2005.

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.

3.2 RAF background

Boeing has actively marketed the C-17 to many European nations including Belgium, Britain, France, and Spain. Of these, Britain was always seen as the most likely customer given its increasingly expeditionary military strategy and global commitments. The Royal Air Force, while unable to achieve parity with the United States Air Force, has established an aim of at least having interoperability and some weapons and capabilities commonality. The UK's 1998 Strategic Defence Review identified a requirement for a strategic airlifter following the protracted procurement of the European airlifter, the Airbus A400M. The Short-Term Strategic Airlift (STSA) competition commenced in September of that year. The UK cancelled the competition in August 1999 recognizing that the C-17 was the only aircraft that met its demanding specifications.

The UK Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, announced in May 2000 that the RAF would lease four C-17s 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 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 centre 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, especially if the A400M does not live up to expectations in operational use. 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. The fifth aircraft will be ordered when the USAF places it's expected order for 42, in early 2005.

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." Presumably, should the additional aircraft enter service prior to this, it alone will carry the C1 designation for a time.

4 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 by both services. On March 26, 2003, ten USAF 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.

5 Units Using the C-17

The C-17 Globemaster III releasing a flare

5.1 United States Air Force

Inventory: 71 C-17, 50 C-17ER (+59 C-17ER on order) (as of July 1, 2004)

• Altus AFB
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing
    • 58th Airlift Squadron
• Charleston AFB
  • 315th Airlift Wing
    • 300th Airlift Squadron
    • 317th Airlift Squadron
    • 701st Airlift Squadron
• March ARB
• McChord AFB
  • 62nd Airlift Wing
    • 4th Airlift Squadron
    • 7th Airlift Squadron
    • 8th Airlift Squadron
  • 446th Airlift Wing
    • 97th Airlift Squadron
    • 313th Airlift Squadron
    • 728th Airlift Squadron
• McGuire AFB
• Allen C. Thompson Field ANGB
  • 172nd Airlift Wing
    • 183rd Airlift Squadron

5.2 Royal Air Force

Inventory: 4 C-17ER (+1 C-17ER on order)

• RAF Brize Norton
  • No. 99 Squadron

List of Aircraft | Aircraft Manufacturers | Aircraft Engines | Aircraft Engine Manufacturers Airlines | Air Forces | Aircraft Weapons | Missiles | Timeline of aviation

Modern USAF Series	Transport C-5 Galaxy C-17 Globemaster III C-20 Gulfstream III C-21 Learjet C-22B C-32 C-130 Hercules C-141B Starlifter C-37A C-40B/C VC-25 - Air Force One	Fighter F-15 Eagle F-15E Strike Eagle F-16 Fighting Falcon Electronic E-3 Sentry E-4B E-8C Joint Stars EC-130E/ EC-130J EC-130H Compass Call	Miscellaneous HC-130P/ N HH-60G Pave Hawk KC-10 Extender KC-135 Stratotanker MC-130E/ H MC-130P Combat Shadow MH-53J/ M Pave Low OC-135B Open Skies RC-135V/RC-135W Rivet Joint U-2S/TU-2S UH-1N Huey	Trainers T-1 Jayhawk T-37 Tweet T-38 Talon T-43 T-6 Texan II Weather WC-130 Hercules WC-135 UAV RQ-1/MQ-1 Predator UAV Global Hawk UAV
Attack A-10 Thunderbolt II OA-10 AC-130H/U Gunship Bomber B-1B Lancer B-2 Spirit B-52 Stratofortress F-117A Nighthawk

6 External links

• C-17A Globemaster III on Boeing.com
• More Detailed Photographs

US military transport aircraft 1990-1999

<Hide>