Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. It was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. The C-17 carries the name of two previous piston-engined military cargo aircraft, the Douglas C-74 Globemaster and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. The C-17 commonly performs strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo throughout the world; additional roles include tactical airlift, medical evacuation and airdrop duties.

Boeing, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in the 1990s, continues to manufacture C-17s for export customers following the end of deliveries to the U.S. Air Force. The C-17 is operated by the U.S. Air Force, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, India, Iran, New Zealand, Qatar, South Africa, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the NATO Heavy Lift Air Wing.

Variants

 * C-17A: Initial military airlifter version.
 * C-17A ER: Unofficial name for C-17As with extended range due to the addition of the center wing tank. This upgrade was incorporated in production beginning in 2001 with Block 13 aircraft.
 * C-17B: Proposed tactical airlifter version. The design includes double-slotted flaps, an additional main landing gear on center fuselage, more powerful engines and other systems for shorter landing and take-off distances. Boeing offered the C-17B to the U.S. military in 2007 for carrying the Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) vehicles and other equipment.
 * MD-17: Proposed variant for civilian operators. Later re-designated as BC-17 after 1997 merger.

Users

 * Australia
 * Royal Australian Air Force
 * Canada
 * Royal Canadian Air Force
 * Denmark
 * Royal Danish Air Force
 * Germany
 * Luftwaffe
 * India
 * Indian Air Force
 * Iran
 * Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
 * Republic of Korea
 * Republic of Korea Air Force
 * New Zealand
 * Royal New Zealand Air Force
 * Qatar
 * Qatar Emiri Air Force
 * South Africa
 * South African Air Force
 * United Arab Emirates
 * United Arab Emirates Air Force
 * United Kingdom
 * Royal Air Force
 * United States
 * United States Air Force