The Boeing-produced C-17 Globemaster III represents one of the latest additions to the United States Air Force mobile airlift fleet. On the modern battlefield, mobility is key to any advancing effort and systems like the C-17 truly earn their stripes in the deliveries of key supplies, troops and other battlefield components. Over 140 Globemaster III's are currently in active or reserve service with the USAF, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.
The C-17 Globemaster III is crewed by just three personnel consisting of a pilot, copilot and a loadmaster. The system was designed to keep human involvement limited in an effort to keep operating costs down. Additionally, the C-17 system need only about 20 hours of maintenance to keep her ready to fly.
The C-17 Globemaster is a four-engine transport aircraft fitted with the reversible-thrust F117-PW-100 by Pratt & Whitney, with each generating an astounding 40,000 pounds of thrust. This powerplant represents the military version of the commercial Pratt & Whitney PW2040 as found on the other Boeing product in the form of the 757 airliner. The aircraft, despite its overall size and weight-lifting capabilities, is also designed for operations utilizing shortened runaways.
At rear of the aircraft, the C-17 features a large access ramp. The aft-loading ramp allows for transportation and delivery of varying types of cargo including over 100 fully-armed troops and paratroopers, 36 medical litters and nearly 171,000 pounds of cargo. The cargo hold is able to carry most all of the military's air-portable weapon and vehicle systems, offering up a dynamic approach to the mobile battlefield. With in-flight refueling, the C-17 has a global reach, allowing the system to be deployed to any crisis point on the planet.
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