C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a revolutionary heavy-lift strategic transport aircraft that has transformed military and humanitarian airlift capabilities since its introduction in 1995. This massive aircraft combines unprecedented versatility with the ability to operate from short, austere runways while carrying substantial payloads - up to 169,000 pounds of cargo or 102 paratroopers. Distinguished by its high-mounted swept wings, T-tail, and four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines, the C-17 can perform tactical airlift, medical evacuation, and airdrop missions, while also serving as a strategic transport for intercontinental range missions. The aircraft's advanced features, including its ability to perform steep approaches, tight turns, and reverse taxiing, allow it to access smaller airfields typically reserved for much smaller aircraft. The C-17's proven reliability and flexibility have made it an essential asset for military operations, disaster relief, and humanitarian missions worldwide, serving with the U.S. Air Force and several allied nations.
