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British military aircraft designations are used to refer to aircraft types and variants operated by the armed forces of the United Kingdom.

Since the end of the First World War, aircraft types in British military service have generally been known by a service name (e.g. "Spitfire"), with individual variants recognised by mark numbers often in combination with a letter to indicate the role. This is in contrast to identification systems used in countries such as the United States, where an aircraft type is primarily identified by an alphanumeric designation.

The British military aircraft designations (e.g. "Spitfire Mark V" or "Hercules C3") should not be confused with the serial number used to identify individual aircraft (e.g. "XR220"), nor with U.S. aircraft designations (e.g. "C-5", "C-17", "MQ-9") or manufacturer's designations (e.g. "Sikorsky S-58", "Jaguar B", "WS-61", "AW139", "WAH-64"), though Mark numbers were used to indicate aircraft built for other nations e.g. Hawker Hunter Mk 58 was a Hunter F.6 for the Swiss Air Force.

No designation system was introduced during World War I that covered more than the products of a single manufacturer. The Admiralty frequently referred to designs by the serial of the first aircraft of that type to be accepted for service.

The military designation system

In this system, which has been used since the end of World War I, each aircraft designation consists of a name, (sometimes) a role prefix and a mark number.

A unified official naming system was introduced in February 1918 by the Ministry of Munitions, the scheme would use classes of names related to the role. Fighter aircraft were to be animals, plants or minerals, bomber aircraft were to have geographical names and "heavy armoured machines" would be personal names from Mythology. The classes were further divided by size of aircraft and land or sea-based, for example a three-seater sea-based fighter would be named after shellfish. Italian towns were to be used for single-seat land-based bombers.^[1]

Following the formation of the Royal Air Force in April 1918 the Ministry of Munitions introduced a new system as Technical Department Instruction 538. They mainly followed the February 1918 scheme but certain names already used for engines were excluded, for example birds of prey were used by Rolls-Royce Ltd. The names related to zoology, geography and mythology were withdrawn in 1927 and the Air Ministry introduced names with the initial letters relating to role, for example "C" for troop carriers as used by the Handley Page Clive. A further change was made in 1932 and 1939 to use more appropriate names. Fighters were to use "General words indicating speed, activity or aggressiveness" and trainer would be "words indicationg tuition and places of education".^[1]

Bombers were to be named after inland towns in the British Empire, for example the Avro Lancaster and Fairey Battle (after Battle, East Sussex, the site of the Battle of Hastings). With the introduction of helicopters these were to be named after trees but only the Bristol Sycamore was named in this scheme.^[1]

Names

The name ("type name") of an aircraft type would be agreed between the Air Ministry or Admiralty and the manufacturer/importer when the order was placed. Names generally followed one or a number of patterns:

Alliteration was particularly common; e.g. aircraft from Vickers-Armstrongs were given names starting with V,^[2] Hawker Aircraft, names starting with H, etc. This began during the First World War, when aircraft manufacturers were given an initial pairing of letters to use in the naming of their aircraft: e.g. Boulton Paul Ltd were given "Bo". From this and the requirement to use the names of birds or insects for fighter aircraft, their first in-house fighter design was the Boulton Paul Bobolink. For bombers the additional requirement was a placename, hence the Boulton Paul Bourges; and its contemporaries – the Airco DH.10 Amiens and Vickers Vimy (Bourges, Amiens and Vimy all being in France).^[3]
Heavy bombers received the names of cities and towns – Short Stirling, Avro Lancaster, Handley Page Halifax. Likewise transport aircraft also received the names of cities and towns – Avro York, Vickers Valetta, Handley Page Hastings, Blackburn Beverley.
Flying boats were given the names of coastal or port communities – Saro London, Supermarine Stranraer, Short Sunderland.
Land-based maritime patrol aircraft were named for naval explorers – Avro Anson (George Anson, 1st Baron Anson), Lockheed Hudson (Henry Hudson), Avro Shackleton (Ernest Shackleton), Bristol Beaufort (Francis Beaufort).
Aircraft for army co-operation and liaison and gliders were given names associated with mythological or legendary leaders; e.g. Westland Lysander, Airspeed Horsa, General Aircraft Hamilcar, Slingsby Hengist. A sense of irony was present when some of the names were chosen as Hengist and Horsa were the mythical leaders when the Angles, Saxons and Jutes invaded the British Isles in the 5th century.
American aircraft, whether purchased directly or sourced under Lend-Lease, were given American-themed names following established patterns, e.g. the Martin Baltimore, Consolidated Catalina. The American services, with the exception of the U.S. Navy, were not generally in the habit of giving aircraft names, and many British-chosen names would later be adopted; e.g. the North American P-51 Mustang began life as the North American Mustang Mk.I with the RAF. U.S. Navy names, conversely, were being increasingly adopted by the Fleet Air Arm as 1942 and 1943 progressed, as in the case of the Grumman F4F Wildcat shedding its alternative Fleet Air Arm "Martlet" name in favour of "Wildcat", the original American naval name.
Naval versions of aircraft not originally ordered for the Fleet Air Arm were given the prefix "Sea" such as with the Hawker Sea Hurricane and de Havilland Sea Venom while Seafire for the navalised Supermarine Spitfire was a contraction of "Sea Spitfire". Sometimes the naval version entered service without a corresponding land-based type doing so, as with the Hawker Sea Fury and de Havilland Sea Vixen.
Naval aircraft ordered as such had names with a nautical theme – e.g. Supermarine Walrus, Blackburn Roc, Fairey Gannet. Torpedo bombers were given 'fish' names, e.g., Blackburn Shark, Fairey Swordfish, Fairey Barracuda. Mythological names, particularly with an association with water were common, such as Blackburn Iris – named for the goddess of sea and sky, and Nimrod the mighty hunter, used for the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod and Hawker Nimrod. Nimrod aside, many naval fighters were named for birds – such as the Fairey Flycatcher, Fairey Fulmar, Blackburn Skua and, before the aforementioned adoption of the U.S. Navy's existing names for Fleet Air Arm aircraft of American origin, Grumman Martlet (the martlet being a heraldic bird) for the F4F fighter.
Training aircraft were given names related to academic institutions – Airspeed Oxford, North American Harvard, Boulton Paul Balliol, Fairchild Cornell. As with other American aircraft purchased, appropriate US names were used – the Harvard and Cornell universities. Alternative names for teachers were also used – De Havilland Dominie, Percival Provost, Miles Magister, Percival Proctor.
Aircraft built for one role such as the Avro Anson or Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle but converted to other roles rarely changed their names. However significant changes in a design might result in a name change – the Avro Manchester was renamed Avro Lancaster, which was in turn renamed Avro Lincoln (initially Lancaster Mark IV) as the design was improved, however the Lincoln had more in common with the Manchester than the late models of Spitfire did with the early versions so it wasn't consistent.
A trend might also be followed by a manufacturer – Hawker Hurricane, Typhoon, Tornado, Tempest.
Where civilian aircraft types have been taken into service, their existing names or alphanumeric designations have often been retained, e.g. the Vickers VC10 or Lockheed TriStar.

The systems began to change in the immediate post-Second World War period with the V bombers and types such as the Supermarine Scimitar. The RAF's three post-war jet-engined, swept wing strategic bombers were given names beginning with "V" – Vickers Valiant, Avro Vulcan and Handley Page Victor (the V bombers).

Role prefixes

Role prefixes used at various times comprise:

Prefix	Description	Example
A	Airborne (paratroop transport)	Halifax A.VII
AEW	Airborne early warning	Sentry AEW.1
AH	Army helicopter	Lynx AH.7
AL	Army liaison	Islander AL.1
AOP	Airborne observation post	Auster AOP.9
AS	Anti-submarine	Gannet AS.1
ASR	Air-sea rescue	Sea Otter ASR.II
ASaC	Airborne Surveillance and Control	Sea King ASaC.7
B	Bomber	Vulcan B.2
B(I)	Bomber interdictor	Canberra B(I).8
B(K)	Bomber/tanker	Valiant B(K).1
B(PR)	Bomber/Photo Reconnaissance	Valiant B(PR).1
C	Transport	Hercules C.4
CC	Communications transport	BAe 125 CC.3
COD	Courier – later Carrier – On-board Delivery	Gannet COD.4
D	Drone (pilotless aircraft)	Shelduck D.1
DW	Mine Exploding ("Directional Wireless")	Wellington DW.1
E	Electronics (particularly Electronic Warfare)	Canberra E.15
ECM	Electronic Counter-Measures	Avenger ECM.6
F	Fighter	Typhoon F.2
FA	Fighter/Attack	Sea Harrier FA.2
FAW	Fighter, All-Weather	Javelin FAW.9
FB	Fighter-Bomber	Sea Fury FB.11
FG	Fighter/Ground attack	Phantom FG.1
FGA	Fighter/Ground Attack	Hunter FGA.9 – (superseded by FG)
FGR	Fighter/Ground attack/Reconnaissance	Phantom FGR.2
FR	Fighter/Reconnaissance	Hunter FR.10
FRS	Fighter/Reconnaissance/Strike	Sea Harrier FRS.1
GA	Ground Attack	Hunter GA.11
GR	General Reconnaissance (superseded by MR)	Lancaster GR.III
GR	Ground attack/Reconnaissance	Harrier GR.9
HAR	Helicopter, Air Rescue	Sea King HAR.3
HAS	Helicopter, Anti-Submarine	Sea King HAS.2
HC	Helicopter, Cargo	Chinook HC.2
HCC	Helicopter, Communications	Squirrel HCC.1
HF	High-altitude fighter (Spitfire only)	Spitfire HF.VII
HM	Helicopter, maritime	Merlin HM.1
HMA	Helicopter, maritime attack	Lynx HMA.8
HR	Helicopter, Rescue	Dragonfly HR.5
HT	Helicopter, Training	Griffin HT.1
HU	Helicopter, Utility	Sea King HU.4
K	Tanker	VC10 K.4
KC	Tanker / Cargo	TriStar KC.1
L	Low-altitude fighter (Seafire only)	Seafire L.III
LF	Low-altitude fighter (Spitfire only)	Spitfire LF.XVI
Met	Meteorological reconnaissance (superseded by W)	Hastings Met.1
MR	Maritime Reconnaissance	Nimrod MR.2
MRA	Maritime Reconnaissance and Attack	Nimrod MRA.4
NF	Night Fighter	Venom NF.2
PR	Photographic Reconnaissance	Canberra PR.9
R	Reconnaissance	Sentinel R.1
RG	Reconnaissance/Ground attack	Protector RG.1 expected in service 2024^[4]
S	Strike (nuclear capability)^[5]	Buccaneer S.2
SR	Strategic Reconnaissance	Victor SR.2
T	Training	Hawk T.1
TF	Torpedo Fighter	Beaufighter TF.X
TR	Torpedo / Reconnaissance	Sea Mosquito TR.33
TT	Target tug	Canberra TT.18
TX	Training glider	Cadet TX.3
U	Drone (pilotless aircraft) – (superseded by D)	Meteor U.15
W	Weather research	Hercules W.2

Mark numbers

Starting in the interwar period, variants of each operational type were usually indicated by a mark number, a Roman numeral added to the type name, usually preceded by "Mark", "Mk." or "Mk" (e.g. Fury Mk I). Mark numbers were allocated sequentially to each new variant, the new mark number signifying a 'major' change such as a new engine-type. Sometimes an alphabetic suffix was added to the mark number to indicate a minor change (e.g. Bulldog Mk IIA). Occasionally, this letter indicated a change in role, e.g. the Blenheim Mk I bomber was adapted to the Blenheim Mk IF long-range fighter. Sometimes a minor but otherwise significant change in an aircraft would necessitate a new mark number, e.g., when the Lancaster I was fitted with Packard-built Merlin engines, which used a different make of carburettor from the Rolls-Royce-built ones, the Lancaster I became a Lancaster III. Otherwise, these two aircraft were identical in appearance and performance and normally indistinguishable from each other but needed to be identified differently for maintenance.

During the Second World War, as aircraft ordered for one purpose became adapted to a multitude of roles, mark numbers became prefixed with letters to indicate the role of that variant. Aircraft of the same mark that were adapted for different purpose would then be differentiated by the prefix. For instance the Defiant Mk I was adapted to a night fighter, the Defiant NF Mk II, some of which were later converted to target tugs as the Defiant TT Mk II. Where there was a Sea- variant, this would have its own series of mark numbers (e.g. the Seafire Mk I was derived from the Spitfire Mk V).

Occasionally other 'minor' but nonetheless important changes might be denoted by series numbers, preceded by "Series", "Srs." or "Srs" (e.g. Mosquito B Mk IV Series I / B Mk IV Series II – the different series number denoting the introduction, after a few initial production aircraft, of extended engine nacelles to eliminate buffeting. This design change was made standard on all subsequent production Mosquitoes). The series number denoted a revision during the production run of a particular Mark. This again could then have an additional letter-suffix (e.g. the Halifax Mk II Series IA).

Export variants of British military aircraft are usually allocated mark numbers (sometimes without a role prefix) from a higher range of numbers, usually starting at Mark 50. A converse convention was adopted for the Canadian-designed de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk, where the sole British service variant was designated Chipmunk T.10.

Up until the end of 1942, the RAF always used Roman numerals for mark numbers. 1943–1948 was a transition period during which new aircraft entering service were given Arabic numerals for mark numbers but older aircraft retained their Roman numerals. From 1948 onwards, Arabic numerals were used exclusively. Thus, the Spitfire PR Mk XIX became the PR Mk 19 after 1948.^[6] With this change, the Sea- variants were allocated their own range within one common series for all variants (e.g. the Hawker Fury Mk I was followed by the Sea Fury F.10, Sea Fury FB.11 etc.).

Format of designation

The system has been largely unchanged since 1948 with the addition of more prefixes as new roles have arisen.

For example, the first Lockheed Hercules variant in RAF service was the Hercules C.1 ("Cargo, Mark 1"). A single example was adapted for weather monitoring purposes and became the Hercules W.2. The stretched variant became the Hercules C.3. With aircraft with a long service life, as their function changes over time, the designation letters and sometimes the mark digit will change to reflect this. The practice of restarting the mark numbers for the naval variant where the name was changed continued – e.g. the naval version of the Harrier, the Sea Harrier, marks started again at FRS Mk 1 – whilst variants where the name was unchanged for the naval version such as the Lynx have a single set of numbers for both land and naval variants. In the case of the Sea King, which began as a naval aircraft, the RAF kept the name and it also has a single set of numbers.

The post-1948 mark numbers are variously presented in full^[7] (e.g. Hercules C Mk 3) or abbreviated^[8] (e.g. Hercules C3) forms, and either with^[9]^[10] or without a full stop between the prefix and mark number. The use of the "Mark" or "Mk." has gradually been dropped.

Other designation systems used for UK military aircraft

Specification numbers

From 1920 to 1949, most aircraft had an associated Air Ministry specification number. Prototype aircraft would be produced under contract and would be referred to by Manufacturer Name and Specification Number. If accepted they would get a service name. For example, the "Fairey 6/22" was built to meet the 6th specification issued in the year 1922; it was accepted as the Fairey Flycatcher. Later, a preceding letter was added to the Specification Number to identify the type of aircraft; e.g. specification B.28/35 for a bomber was the 28th specification issued in 1935; in this case the specification was specifically written for the Bristol 142M, a modification of Bristol's Type 142 private venture civil aircraft (Britain First) for military use as a bomber, which would enter service as the Bristol Blenheim Mk 1 light bomber.

Manufacturers designations

From about 1910, the largest single designer of aircraft for the British Army's Royal Flying Corps was the Royal Aircraft Factory. The Royal Aircraft Factory designated its types according to either the layout of the aircraft or its role – e.g. Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5, the "S.E." prefix representing Scouting Experimental. In practice successful Royal Aircraft factory designs were largely built by other manufacturers though still known by the Factory designations

Some examples of manufacturers designations and the corresponding service designations are shown below:

Avro 549A = Aldershot II

Vickers VC10 Type 1180, the tenth "Vickers Civil" design, were (Type 1106) VC10 C1 transports converted to have additional tanker role; known in service as Vickers VC10 C1K

Westland WAH-64 Apache = Apache AH1

US designations

For some aircraft types (e.g. the [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III#%7B%7BFor%7Cother aircraft with this designation%7CC-17 (disambiguation)%7D%7D, ,%7B%7Bshort description%7CFour engine military transport aircraft%7D%7D, ,%7B%7BUse dmy dates%7Cdate=August 2019%7D%7D, ,%3C!-- This article is a part of %5B%5BWikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft%5D%5D. Please see %5B%5BWikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content%5D%5D for recommended layout, and guidelines. --%3E, ,%7B%7C%7B%7BInfobox aircraft begin %7Cname= C-17 Globemaster III %7Cimage= C-17 test sortie.jpg %7Ccaption= The prototype C-17, known as T-1, on a test flight in 2007 %7D%7D%7B%7BInfobox aircraft type %7Ctype= Strategic and tactical %5B%5Bairlift%5D%5Der %7Cnational origin= United States %7Cmanufacturer= %5B%5BMcDonnell Douglas%5D%5D / %5B%5BBoeing Defense, Space & Security%7CBoeing%5D%5D %7Cdesigner= %7Cfirst flight= 15 September 1991 %7Cintroduced= 17 January 1995 %7Cretired= %7Cstatus= In service %7Cprimary user= %5B%5BUnited States Air Force%5D%5D %3C!--Limit one (1) primary user. Top four (4) users listed in 'primary user' and 'more users' fields based on number of C-17s in service now, not on order. --%3E %7Cmore users=%5B%5BIndian Air Force%5D%5D %3Cbr /%3E%5B%5BRoyal Air Force%5D%5D %3Cbr/%3ESee %5B%5B#Operators%7COperators%5D%5D for others%3C!-- Limit is THREE (3) in 'more users' field, FOUR (4) total users with primary user. Please separate with %3Cbr/%3E. Listed by actual number in their fleets.--%3E %7Cproduced= 1991–2015%3Cref name=C-17 last join/%3E %7Cnumber built= 279%3Cref name=C-17 last join%3E%5Bhttp://www.presstelegram.com/business/20150226/workers-at-boeing-say-goodbye-to-c-17-with-last-major-join-thursday "Workers at Boeing Say Goodbye to C-17 with Last Major Join Thursday"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506081340/http://www.presstelegram.com/business/20150226/workers-at-boeing-say-goodbye-to-c-17-with-last-major-join-thursday %7Cdate=6 May 2015%7D%7D. Press-Telegram, 26 February 2015.%3C/ref%3E %7Cunit cost= US$218 million (%5B%5Bflyaway cost%5D%5D for FY 2007)%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-080204-081.pdf "FY 2009 Budget Estimates", p. 2-1.%5D %7B%7Bwebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003005611/http://www.saffm.hq.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-080204-081.pdf %7Cdate=3 October 2008%7D%7D US Air Force, February 2008.%3C/ref%3E (equivalent to $%7B%7BInflation%7CUS-GDP%7C218%7C2007%7D%7D million in %7B%7BInflation-year%7CUS-GDP%7D%7D)%7B%7BInflation/fn%7CUS-GDP%7D%7D %7Cdeveloped from= %5B%5BMcDonnell Douglas YC-15%5D%5D %7Cvariants with their own articles= %7D%7D %7C%7D, ,The ,McDonnell Douglas,/,Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, is a large ,%5B%5Bmilitary transport aircraft%5D%5D, that was developed for the ,%5B%5BUnited States Air Force%5D%5D, (USAF) from the 1980s to the early 1990s by ,%5B%5BMcDonnell Douglas%5D%5D,. The C-17 carries forward the name of two previous piston-engined military cargo aircraft, the ,%5B%5BDouglas C-74 Globemaster%5D%5D, and the ,%5B%5BDouglas C-124 Globemaster II%5D%5D,., ,The C-17 is based upon the ,%5B%5BMcDonnell Douglas YC-15%7CYC-15%5D%5D,, a smaller prototype airlifter designed during the 1970s. It was designed to replace the ,%5B%5BLockheed C-141 Starlifter%5D%5D,, and also fulfill some of the duties of the ,%5B%5BLockheed C-5 Galaxy%5D%5D,. Compared to the YC-15, the redesigned airlifter differed in having swept wings, increased size, and more powerful engines. Development was protracted by a series of design issues, causing the company to incur a loss of nearly US$1.5 billion on the program's development phase. On 15 September 1991, roughly one year behind schedule, the first C-17 performed its ,%5B%5Bmaiden flight%5D%5D,. The C-17 formally entered USAF service on 17 January 1995. ,%5B%5BBoeing%5D%5D,, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997, continued to manufacture the C-17 for almost two decades. The final C-17 was completed at the ,%5B%5BLong Beach, California%5D%5D, plant and flown on 29 November 2015.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite press release %7Curl=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2015-11-29-Final-Boeing-C-17-Globemaster-III-Departs-Long-Beach-Assembly-Facility %7Ctitle=Final Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Departs Long Beach Assembly Facility %7Cpublisher=Boeing %7Cdate=29 November 2015 %7Caccess-date=1 June 2016 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407161607/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2015-11-29-Final-Boeing-C-17-Globemaster-III-Departs-Long-Beach-Assembly-Facility %7Carchive-date=7 April 2016 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,The C-17 commonly performs tactical and ,%5B%5Bairlift#Strategic airlift%7Cstrategic airlift%5D%5D, missions, transporting troops and ,%5B%5Bcargo%5D%5D, throughout the world; additional roles include ,%5B%5Bmedical evacuation%5D%5D, and ,%5B%5Bairdrop%5D%5D, duties. The transport is in service with the USAF along with air arms of ,%5B%5BIndian Air Force%7CIndia%5D%5D,, the ,%5B%5BRoyal Air Force%7CUnited Kingdom%5D%5D,, ,%5B%5BRoyal Australian Air Force%7CAustralia%5D%5D,, ,%5B%5BRoyal Canadian Air Force%7CCanada%5D%5D,, ,%5B%5BQatar Emiri Air Force%7CQatar%5D%5D,, the ,%5B%5BUnited Arab Emirates Air Force%7CUnited Arab Emirates%5D%5D,, ,%5B%5BKuwait Air Force%7CKuwait%5D%5D,, and the Europe-based multilateral organization ,%5B%5BHeavy Airlift Wing%5D%5D,. The type played a key logistical role during both ,%5B%5BOperation Enduring Freedom%5D%5D, in Afghanistan and ,%5B%5BIraq War%7COperation Iraqi Freedom%5D%5D, in Iraq, as well as in providing ,%5B%5Bhumanitarian aid%5D%5D, in the aftermath of various natural disasters, including the ,%5B%5B2010 Haiti earthquake%5D%5D, and the ,%5B%5B2011 Sindh floods%5D%5D,., ,==Development==, ,%5B%5BFile:Yc15-1 072.jpg%7Cthumb%7CThe %5B%5BMcDonnell Douglas YC-15%5D%5D design was used as the basis for the C-17.%7Calt=Top view of cargo aircraft in-flight, trailed by a fighter chase aircraft. Under each un-swept wing are two engines suspended forward ahead the leading edge.%5D%5D, ,===Background and design phase===, ,In the 1970s, the U.S. Air Force began looking for a replacement for its ,%5B%5BLockheed C-130 Hercules%5D%5D, tactical cargo aircraft.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttps://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/djreprints/access/72923084.html?dids=72923084:72923084&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+13,+1972&author=&pub=Wall+Street+Journal&desc=Air+Force+Lets+Advanced+STOL+Prototype+Work&pqatl=google "Air Force Lets Advanced STOL Prototype Work."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107202542/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/djreprints/access/72923084.html?dids=72923084:72923084&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+13,+1972&author=&pub=Wall+Street+Journal&desc=Air+Force+Lets+Advanced+STOL+Prototype+Work&pqatl=google %7Cdate=7 November 2012%7D%7D The Wall Street Journal, 13 November 1972.%3C/ref%3E, The ,%5B%5BAdvanced Medium STOL Transport%5D%5D, (AMST) competition was held, with ,%5B%5BBoeing Integrated Defense Systems%7CBoeing%5D%5D, proposing the ,%5B%5BBoeing YC-14%7CYC-14%5D%5D,, and ,%5B%5BMcDonnell Douglas%5D%5D, proposing the ,%5B%5BMcDonnell Douglas YC-15%7CYC-15%5D%5D,.,%3Cref%3EMiles, Marvin. %5Bhttps://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/660687842.html?dids=660687842:660687842&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+11,+1972&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=McDonnell,+Boeing+to+Compete+for+Lockheed+C-130+Successor&pqatl=google "McDonnell, Boeing to Compete for Lockheed C-130 Successor."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107202454/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/660687842.html?dids=660687842:660687842&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+11,+1972&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=McDonnell,+Boeing+to+Compete+for+Lockheed+C-130+Successor&pqatl=google %7Cdate=7 November 2012%7D%7D Los Angeles Times, 11 November 1972.%3C/ref%3E, Though both entrants exceeded specified requirements, the AMST competition was canceled before a winner was selected. The USAF started the C-X program in November 1979 to develop a larger AMST with longer range to augment its strategic airlift.,%3Cref name=kennedy part1%3EKennedy 2004, pp. 3–20, 24.%3C/ref%3E, ,By 1980, the USAF had a large fleet of aging ,%5B%5BLockheed C-141 Starlifter%7CC-141 Starlifter%5D%5D, cargo aircraft. Compounding matters, increased strategic airlift capabilities was needed to fulfill its rapid-deployment airlift requirements. The USAF set mission requirements and released a request for proposals (RFP) for C-X in October 1980. McDonnell Douglas chose to develop a new aircraft based on the YC-15. Boeing bid an enlarged three-engine version of its AMST YC-14. Lockheed submitted both a C-5-based design and an enlarged C-141 design. On 28 August 1981, McDonnell Douglas was chosen to build its proposal, then designated ,C-17,. Compared to the YC-15, the new aircraft differed in having swept wings, increased size, and more powerful engines.,%3Cref name=norton p12-3%3ENorton 2001, pp. 12–13.%3C/ref%3E, This would allow it to perform the work done by the C-141, and to fulfill some of the duties of the ,%5B%5BLockheed C-5 Galaxy%5D%5D,, freeing the C-5 fleet for ,%5B%5Boutsize cargo%5D%5D,.,%3Cref name=norton p12-3/%3E, ,Alternative proposals were pursued to fill airlift needs after the C-X contest. These were lengthening of C-141As into C-141Bs, ordering more C-5s, continued purchases of ,%5B%5BMcDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender%7CKC-10%5D%5D,s, and expansion of the ,%5B%5BCivil Reserve Air Fleet%5D%5D,. Limited budgets reduced program funding, requiring a delay of four years. During this time contracts were awarded for preliminary design work and for the completion of engine certification.,%3Cref name=norton p13-5/%3E, In December 1985, a full-scale development contract was awarded, under Program Manager Bob Clepper.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttps://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/98482212.html?dids=98482212:98482212&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+03,+1986&author=The+Los+Angeles+Times&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=Douglas+Wins+$3.4B+Pact+to+Build+C-17&pqatl=google "Douglas Wins $3.4B Pact to Build C-17."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107202522/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/98482212.html?dids=98482212:98482212&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+03,+1986&author=The+Los+Angeles+Times&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=Douglas+Wins+$3.4B+Pact+to+Build+C-17&pqatl=google %7Cdate=7 November 2012%7D%7D Los Angeles Times, 3 January 1986.%3C/ref%3E, At this time, first flight was planned for 1990.,%3Cref name=norton p13-5%3ENorton 2001, pp. 13, 15.%3C/ref%3E, The USAF had formed a requirement for 210 aircraft.,%3Cref name=kennedy p70%3EKennedy 2004, pp. 70, 81–83.%3C/ref%3E, ,Development problems and limited funding caused delays in the late 1980s.,%3Cref%3EKennedy, Betty Raab. %5Bhttp://rtoc.ida.org/rtoc/open/briefings articles/kennednd.pdf "Historical Realities of C-17 Program Pose Challenge for Future Acquisitions."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061229165750/http://rtoc.ida.org/rtoc/open/briefings articles/kennednd.pdf %7Cdate=29 December 2006%7D%7D Institute for Defense Analyses, December 1999.%3C/ref%3E, Criticisms were made of the developing aircraft and questions were raised about more cost-effective alternatives during this time.,%3Cref%3EFuller, Richard L. %5Bhttps://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24563333.html?dids=24563333:24563333&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+09,+1989&author=Col.+Richard+L.+Fuller,+Director+of+public+affairs,+United+States+Air+Force.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=More+load+for+the+buck+with+C-17&pqatl=google "More load for the buck with C-17."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107202443/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24563333.html?dids=24563333:24563333&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+09,+1989&author=Col.+Richard+L.+Fuller,+Director+of+public+affairs,+United+States+Air+Force.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=More+load+for+the+buck+with+C-17&pqatl=google %7Cdate=7 November 2012%7D%7D Chicago Tribune, 9 September 1989.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3ESanford, Robert. %5Bhttp://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=SL&p theme=sl&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EB04C1540E361A8&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM "McDonnell Plugs Away on C-17."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609065724/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=SL&p theme=sl&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EB04C1540E361A8&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM %7Cdate=9 June 2011%7D%7D St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 3 April 1989.%3C/ref%3E, In April 1990, Secretary of Defense ,%5B%5BDick Cheney%5D%5D, reduced the order from 210 to 120 aircraft.,%3Cref%3EBrenner, Eliot. %5Bhttps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19900426&id=GJVTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FogDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6880,2683844 "Cheney cuts back on Air Force programs."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320131636/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19900426&id=GJVTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FogDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6880,2683844 %7Cdate=20 March 2017%7D%7D Bryan Times, 26 April 1990.%3C/ref%3E, The maiden flight of the C-17 took place on 15 September 1991 from the McDonnell Douglas's plant in ,%5B%5BLong Beach, California%5D%5D,, about a year behind schedule.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttps://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/17/us/c-17-s-first-flight-smoother-than-debate.html "C-17's First Flight Smoother Than Debate."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224220847/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/17/us/c-17-s-first-flight-smoother-than-debate.html %7Cdate=24 February 2017%7D%7D The New York Times, 17 September 1991.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref name=norton p25-8/%3E, The first aircraft (T-1) and five more production models (P1-P5) participated in extensive flight testing and evaluation at ,%5B%5BEdwards Air Force Base%5D%5D,.,%3Cref name=RL30685%3E%5Bhttp://opencrs.com/document/RL30685 "RL30685, Military Airlift: C-17 Aircraft Program."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210075144/http://www.opencrs.com/document/RL30685 %7Cdate=10 February 2009%7D%7D Congressional Research Service, 5 June 2007.%3C/ref%3E, Two complete airframes were built for static and repeated load testing.,%3Cref name=norton p25-8%3ENorton 2001, pp. 25–26, 28.%3C/ref%3E, ,===Development difficulties===, ,A static test of the C-17 wing in October 1992 resulted in its failure at 128% of design limit load, below the 150% requirement. Both wings buckled rear to the front and failures occurred in stringers, spars, and ribs.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.dodig.mil/Audit/Audit2/93-159.pdf "Technical Assessment Report; C-17 Wing Structural Integrity."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328005836/http://www.dodig.mil/Audit/Audit2/93-159.pdf %7Cdate=28 March 2012%7D%7D Department of Defense, 24 August 1993. Retrieved: 23 August 2011.%3C/ref%3E, Some $100 million were spent to redesign the wing structure; the wing failed at 145% during a second test in September 1993.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930914&slug=1721000 "C-17 Wing Fails Again; Probe Is Sought."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003210757/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930914&slug=1721000 %7Cdate=3 October 2012%7D%7D Seattle Times, 14 September 1993.%3C/ref%3E, A review of the test data, however, showed that the wing was not loaded correctly and did indeed meet the requirement.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://documents.blackvault.com/documents/dod/readingroom/5/767.pdf "Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations of the Executive Independent Review Team."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310080544/http://documents.blackvault.com/documents/dod/readingroom/5/767.pdf %7Cdate=10 March 2012%7D%7D US Government Executive Independent Review Team via blackvault.com, 12 December 1993.%3C/ref%3E, The C-17 received the "Globemaster III" name in early 1993.,%3Cref name=norton p12-3/%3E, In late 1993, the ,%5B%5BUnited States Department of Defense%7CDepartment of Defense%5D%5D, (DoD) gave the contractor two years to solve production issues and cost overruns or face the contract's termination after the delivery of the 40th aircraft.,%3Cref%3EEvans, David. %5Bhttps://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24383613.html?dids=24383613:24383613&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+29,+1993&author=David+Evans,+Chicago+Tribune.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Pentagon+to+Air+Force:+C-17+flunks&pqatl=google "Pentagon to Air Force: C-17 flunks."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107202533/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/24383613.html?dids=24383613:24383613&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+29,+1993&author=David+Evans,+Chicago+Tribune.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Pentagon+to+Air+Force:+C-17+flunks&pqatl=google %7Cdate=7 November 2012%7D%7D Chicago Tribune, 29 March 1993.%3C/ref%3E, By accepting the 1993 terms, McDonnell Douglas incurred a loss of nearly US$1.5 billion on the program's development phase.,%3Cref name=RL30685/%3E, ,In April 1994, the program remained over budget and did not meet weight, fuel burn, payload, and range specifications. It failed several key criteria during airworthiness evaluation tests.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19910528&slug=1285732 "Air Force Letter To Douglas Spells Out 75 Defects For C-17."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928113234/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19910528&slug=1285732 %7Cdate=28 September 2012%7D%7D Los Angeles Times, 28 May 1991.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=LB&p theme=lb&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EAE8F93D6E54ED8&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM "C-17 fails engine start test."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609070008/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=LB&p theme=lb&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EAE8F93D6E54ED8&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM %7Cdate=9 June 2011%7D%7D Press-Telegram, 12 April 1994.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=CO&s site=charlotte&p multi=CO&p theme=realcities&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EB6CC1343F2E14F&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM "Parts Orders for C-17 far too high, GAO says."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609070228/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=CO&s site=charlotte&p multi=CO&p theme=realcities&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EB6CC1343F2E14F&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM %7Cdate=9 June 2011%7D%7D Charlotte Observer, 16 March 1994.%3C/ref%3E, Problems were found with the mission software, landing gear, and other areas.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://archive.gao.gov/t2pbat3/151473.pdf "The C-17 Proposed Settlement and Program Update."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906113020/http://archive.gao.gov/t2pbat3/151473.pdf %7Cdate=6 September 2009%7D%7D United States General Accounting Office, 28 April 1994.%3C/ref%3E, In May 1994, it was proposed to cut production to as few as 32 aircraft; these cuts were later rescinded.,%3Cref%3EKreisher, Otto. %5Bhttps://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sandiego/access/1242506621.html?dids=1242506621:1242506621&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+25,+1994&author=OTTO+KREISHER&pub=The+San+Diego+Union+-+Tribune&desc=House+rescinds+cuts+in+C-17+program+%7C+Vote+may+help+thousands+retain+jobs+in+Long+Beach&pqatl=google "House rescinds cuts in C-17 program."%5D%7B%7BDead link%7Cdate=December 2021 %7Cbot=InternetArchiveBot %7Cfix-attempted=yes %7D%7D San Diego Union, 25 May 1994.%3C/ref%3E, A July 1994 ,%5B%5BGovernment Accountability Office%5D%5D, (GAO) report revealed that USAF and DoD studies from 1986 and 1991 stated the C-17 could use 6,400 more runways outside the U.S. than the C-5, but these studies had only considered runway dimensions, but not runway strength or load classification numbers (LCN). The C-5 has a lower LCN, but the USAF classifies both in the same broad load classification group. When considering runway dimensions and load ratings, the C-17's worldwide runway advantage over the C-5 shrank from 6,400 to 911 airfields. The report also stated "current military doctrine that does not reflect the use of small, austere airfields", thus the C-17's short field capability was not considered.,%3Cref name=airfields%3E%5Bhttp://archive.gao.gov/t2pbat3/152088.pdf "Comparison of C-5 and C-17 Airfield Availability."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927183044/http://archive.gao.gov/t2pbat3/152088.pdf %7Cdate=27 September 2007%7D%7D United States General Accounting Office, July 1994.%3C/ref%3E, ,A January 1995 GAO report stated that the USAF originally planned to order 210 C-17s at a cost of $41.8 billion, and that the 120 aircraft on order were to cost $39.5 billion based on a 1992 estimate.,%3Cref name=gao%3E%5Bhttp://www.gao.gov/archive/1995/ns95026.pdf "C-17 Aircraft – Cost and Performance Issues."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184250/http://www.gao.gov/archive/1995/ns95026.pdf %7Cdate=30 September 2007%7D%7D United States General Accounting Office, January 1995.%3C/ref%3E, In March 1994, the U.S. Army decided it did not need the ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C60000%7Clb%7Cabbr=on%7D%7D, ,%5B%5Blow-altitude parachute-extraction system%5D%5D, delivery with the C-17 and that the C-130's ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C42000%7Clb%7Cabbr=on%7D%7D, capability was sufficient.,%3Cref name=gao/%3E, C-17 testing was limited to this lower weight. Airflow issues prevented the C-17 from meeting airdrop requirements. A February 1997 GAO report revealed that a C-17 with a full payload could not land on ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C3000%7Cft%7Cm%7Csigfig=2%7Cabbr=on%7D%7D, wet runways; simulations suggested a distance of ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C5000%7Cft%7Cabbr=on%7D%7D, was required.,%3Cref name=GAO Joint Endevour%3E%5Bhttp://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/ns97050.pdf "C-17 Globemaster – Support of Operation Joint Endeavor."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184336/http://www.gao.gov/archive/1997/ns97050.pdf %7Cdate=30 September 2007%7D%7D United States General Accounting Office, February 1997.%3C/ref%3E, The YC-15 was transferred to ,%5B%5B309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group%7CAMARC%5D%5D, to be made flightworthy again for further flight tests for the C-17 program in March 1997.,%3Cref name=BFS%3EBonny et al. 2006, p. 65.%3C/ref%3E, ,By September 1995, most of the prior issues were reportedly resolved and the C-17 was meeting all performance and reliability targets.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.afa.org/media/press/windall.asp "Air Force Secretary Says Modernization, C-17 on Track."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914103934/http://www.afa.org/media/press/windall.asp %7Cdate=14 September 2007%7D%7D Air Force magazine, 19 September 1995.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=LB&p theme=lb&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EAE901FCF584869&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM "Future Brightens for C-17 Program."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609070312/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=LB&p theme=lb&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EAE901FCF584869&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM %7Cdate=9 June 2011%7D%7D Press-Telegram, 31 March 1995.%3C/ref%3E, The first USAF squadron was declared operational in January 1995.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=SL&p theme=sl&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EB082E680DBFA28&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM "Air Force fills Squadron of C-17s ."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609070320/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=SL&p theme=sl&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EB082E680DBFA28&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM %7Cdate=9 June 2011%7D%7D Associated Press, 18 January 1995.%3C/ref%3E, ,===Production and deliveries===, ,%5B%5BFile:8th Airlift Squadron C-17A Globemaster III 90-0535.jpg%7Cthumb%7CParatroopers dropping from a C-17 during a training exercise in 2010%7Calt=Two paratroopers dropping from a C-17 during an exercise%5D%5D, ,In 1996, the DoD ordered another 80 aircraft for a total of 120.,%3Cref%3EKilian, Michael. %5Bhttps://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/17166359.html?dids=17166359:17166359&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+01,+1996&author=Michael+Kilian,+Washington+Bureau.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=IN+RECORD+PROCUREMENT+U.S.+ORDERS+80+C-17S+PLANE+DEAL+GOOD+FOR+2,000+JOBS+IN+CALIFORNIA&pqatl=google "In Record Procurement U.S. Orders 80 C17s – Plane Good Deal for 2,000 jobs in California."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107202432/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/17166359.html?dids=17166359:17166359&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jun+01,+1996&author=Michael+Kilian,+Washington+Bureau.&pub=Chicago+Tribune+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=IN+RECORD+PROCUREMENT+U.S.+ORDERS+80+C-17S+PLANE+DEAL+GOOD+FOR+2,000+JOBS+IN+CALIFORNIA&pqatl=google %7Cdate=7 November 2012%7D%7D Chicago Tribune, 1 July 1996.%3C/ref%3E, In 1997, McDonnell Douglas merged with domestic competitor Boeing. In April 1999, Boeing offered to cut the C-17's unit price if the USAF bought 60 more;,%3Cref%3EWallace, James. %5Bhttps://web.archive.org/web/20081122153258/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-64094695.html "Boeing to cut price of C-17 if Air Force buys 60 more."%5D Seattle Post, 2 April 1999.%3C/ref%3E, in August 2002, the order was increased to 180 aircraft.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttps://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/16/business/9.7-billion-us-deal-for-boeing-c-17-s.html "$9.7 Billion U.S. Deal for Boeing C-17's."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224215147/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/16/business/9.7-billion-us-deal-for-boeing-c-17-s.html %7Cdate=24 February 2017%7D%7D The New York Times, 16 August 2002.%3C/ref%3E, In 2007, 190 C-17s were on order for the USAF.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/c17/c17news.html "Boeing Company Funds Extension."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907015006/http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/c17/c17news.html %7Cdate=7 September 2008%7D%7D Boeing, 9 July 2008.%3C/ref%3E, On 6 February 2009, Boeing was awarded a $2.95 billion contract for 15 additional C-17s, increasing the total USAF fleet to 205 and extending production from August 2009 to August 2010.,%3Cref name=Feb2009 contract%3ETrimble, Stephen. %5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/10/322315/usaf-signs-deals-for-15-more-c-17s-upgraded-c-5ms.html "Boeing in $3bn air force contract."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221001509/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/10/322315/usaf-signs-deals-for-15-more-c-17s-upgraded-c-5ms.html %7Cdate=21 February 2009%7D%7D Flight International, 10 February 2009.%3C/ref%3E, On 6 April 2009, U.S. Secretary of Defense ,%5B%5BRobert Gates%5D%5D, stated that there would be no more C-17s ordered beyond the 205 planned.,%3Cref%3ECole, August and %5B%5BYochi Dreazen%7CYochi J. Dreazen%5D%5D. "Pentagon Pushes Weapon Cuts." %5B%5BThe Wall Street Journal%5D%5D, 7 April 2009, p. 1.%3C/ref%3E, However, on 12 June 2009, the ,%5B%5BUnited States House Armed Services Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces%7CHouse Armed Services Air and Land Forces Subcommittee%5D%5D, added a further 17 C-17s.,%3Cref%3EKreisher, Otto. %5Bhttp://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0609/061209cdpm1.htm "House panel reverses cuts in aircraft programs."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606134322/http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0609/061209cdpm1.htm %7Cdate=6 June 2011%7D%7D Congress Daily, 12 June 2009.%3C/ref%3E, ,In 2010, Boeing reduced the production rate to 10 aircraft per year from a high of 16 per year, due to dwindling orders and to extend the production line's life while additional orders were sought. The workforce was reduced by about 1,100 through 2012, a second shift at the Long Beach plant was also eliminated.,%3Cref%3EVivanco, Fernando and Jerry Drelling. %5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1588 "Boeing C-17 Program Enters 2nd Phase of Production Rate and Work Force Reductions."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401160926/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1588 %7Cdate=1 April 2011%7D%7D Boeing Press Release, 20 January 2011.%3C/ref%3E, By April 2011, 230 production C-17s had been delivered, including 210 to the USAF.,%3Cref%3EHoyle, Craig. %5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/04/19/355726/australia-to-get-fifth-c-17-in-august.html "Australia to get fifth C-17 in August."%5D Flightglobal, 19 April 2011.%3C/ref%3E, The C-17 prototype "T-1" was retired in 2012 after use as a testbed by the USAF.,%3Cref%3ESanchez, Senior Airman Stacy. %5Bhttp://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123090905 "Edwards T-1 reaches 1,000 flight milestone."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317022651/http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123090905 %7Cdate=17 March 2012%7D%7D 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs, 20 March 2008.%3C/ref%3E, In January 2010, the USAF announced the end of Boeing's performance-based logistics contracts to maintain the type.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/18/341939/why-is-usaf-bringing-maintenance-in-house.html "Why is USAF bringing maintenance in-house?"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524004441/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/18/341939/why-is-usaf-bringing-maintenance-in-house.html %7Cdate=24 May 2010%7D%7D flightglobal.com, 18 May 2005.%3C/ref%3E, On 19 June 2012, the USAF ordered its 224th and final C-17 to replace one that crashed in Alaska in July 2010.,%3Cref%3EMiller, Seth and Michael C. Sirak. %5Bhttp://www.airforce-magazine.com/DRArchive/Pages/2012/June 2012/June 20 2012/EndoftheLine.aspx "Likely End of the Line for The Air Force C-17 Production."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120160859/http://www.airforce-magazine.com/DRArchive/Pages/2012/June 2012/June 20 2012/EndoftheLine.aspx %7Cdate=20 November 2012%7D%7D Air Force Magazine, 20 June 2012.%3C/ref%3E, ,In September 2013, Boeing announced that C-17 production was starting to close down. In October 2014, the main wing spar of the 279th and last aircraft was completed; this C-17 was delivered in 2015, after which Boeing closed the Long Beach plant.,%3Cref%3EThe World, Aviation Week and Space Technology, 4 August 2014, p. 10%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%7B%7BCitation %7Clast = Meeks %7Cfirst = Karen Robes %7Ctitle = Long Beach's Boeing workers assemble final C-17, plan for an uncertain future %7Cnewspaper = %5B%5BLong Beach Press-Telegram%5D%5D %7Cdate = 24 February 2015 %7Curl = http://www.presstelegram.com/business/20150224/long-beachs-boeing-workers-assemble-final-c-17-plan-for-an-uncertain-future %7Carchive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150301105706/http://www.presstelegram.com/business/20150224/long-beachs-boeing-workers-assemble-final-c-17-plan-for-an-uncertain-future %7Carchive-date = 1 March 2015 %7Curl-status = live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, Production of spare components was to continue until at least 2017. The C-17 is projected to be in service for several decades.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/la-fi-boeing-long-beach-20130919-story.html#page=1 "Boeing to shut C-17 plant in Long Beach"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006100456/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/la-fi-boeing-long-beach-20130919-story.html#page=1 %7Cdate=6 October 2014%7D%7D Chicago Tribune, 18 September 2013.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130918/NEWS04/309180036/Boeing-end-C-17-production-2015 "Boeing to end C-17 production in 2015"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118230950/https://www.militarytimes.com/article/20130918/NEWS04/309180036/Boeing-end-C-17-production-2015/ %7Cdate=18 November 2018%7D%7D. Militarytimes.com, 18 September 2013.%3C/ref%3E, In February 2014, Boeing was engaged in sales talks with "five or six" countries for the remaining 15 C-17s;,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-boeing-confident-of-placing-unsold-c-17s-395826/ "Boeing confident of placing unsold C-17s"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222045950/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/singapore-boeing-confident-of-placing-unsold-c-17s-395826/ %7Cdate=22 February 2014%7D%7D. Flightglobal.com, 22 February 2014.%3C/ref%3E, thus Boeing decided to build 10 aircraft without confirmed buyers in anticipation of future purchases.,%3Cref name=gw2015/%3E, ,In May 2015, ,%5B%5BThe Wall Street Journal%5D%5D, reported that Boeing expected to book a charge of under $100 million and cut 3,000 positions associated with the C-17 program, and it also suggested that Airbus' lower cost ,%5B%5BAirbus A400M Atlas%7CA400M Atlas%5D%5D, has taken international sales away from the C-17.,%3Cref%3EShukla, Tarun. "A forlorn end to California's aviation glory". The Wall Street Journal, 6 May 2015, pp. B1-2.%3C/ref%3E, ,%7B%7Cstyle="text-align: center; font-size:95%;" class="wikitable" %7C- ! 1991!! 1992!! 1993!! 1994!! 1995!! 1996!! 1997!! 1998!! 1999!! 2000!! 2001!! 2002!! 2003!! 2004!! 2005!! 2006!! 2007!! 2008!! 2009!! 2010!! 2011!! 2012!! 2013!! 2014!! 2015!! 2016!! 2017!! 2018!! 2019 %7C- %7C 1%7C%7C 4%7C%7C 5%7C%7C 8%7C%7C 6%7C%7C 6%7C%7C 7%7C%7C 10%7C%7C 11%7C%7C 13%7C%7C 14%7C%7C 16%7C%7C 16%7C%7C 16%7C%7C 16%7C%7C 16%7C%7C 16%7C%7C 16%7C%7C 16%7C%7C 14%7C%7C 12%7C%7C 10%7C%7C 10%7C%7C 7%7C%7C 5%7C%7C 4%7C%7C 0%7C%7C 0%7C%7C 1 %7C%7D, ,Sources: C-17 Globemaster III Pocket Guide,,%3Cref%3E"C-17 Globemaster III Pocket Guide", The Boeing Company, Long Beach, CA, June 2010%3C/ref%3E, Boeing IDS Major Deliveries,%3Cref%3E %5Bhttp://www.boeing.com/bds/deliveries.html "BDS Major Deliveries (current year)."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311045032/http://www.boeing.com/bds/deliveries.html %7Cdate=11 March 2010%7D%7D Boeing, March 2014. Retrieved: 5 April 2014. %3C/ref%3E, ,==Design==, ,%5B%5BFile:Cockpit of a RAAF C-17 Globemaster in 2014.jpg%7Cthumb%7CCockpit of a C-17%5D%5D, ,The C-17 Globemaster III is a strategic transport aircraft, able to airlift cargo close to a battle area. The size and weight of U.S. mechanized firepower and equipment have grown in recent decades from increased air mobility requirements, particularly for large or heavy non-palletized ,%5B%5Boutsize cargo%5D%5D,. It has a length of ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C174%7Cft%7Cm%7D%7D, and a wingspan of ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C169%7Cft%7C10%7Cin%7Cm%7D%7D,,,%3Cref name=AF fact/%3E, and uses about 8% composite materials, mostly in secondary structure and control surfaces.,%3Cref name=composite%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20040086015/downloads/20040086015.pdf %7Ctitle=An Assement of the State-of-the-Art in the Design and Manufacturing of Large Composite Structures for Aerospace Vehicles %7Cdate=August 9, 2021%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,The C-17 is powered by four ,%5B%5BPratt & Whitney PW2000%7CPratt & Whitney F117-PW-100%5D%5D, ,%5B%5Bturbofan%5D%5D, engines, which are based on the commercial ,%5B%5BPratt & Whitney PW2000%7CPratt and Whitney PW2040%5D%5D, used on the ,%5B%5BBoeing 757%5D%5D,. Each engine is rated at ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C40400%7Clbf%7CkN%7Cabbr=on%7D%7D, of thrust. The engine's ,%5B%5Bthrust reversal%7Cthrust reversers%5D%5D, direct engine exhaust air upwards and forward, reducing the chances of ,%5B%5Bforeign object damage%5D%5D, by ingestion of runway debris, and providing enough reverse thrust to back up the aircraft while taxiing. The thrust reversers can also be used in flight at idle-reverse for added drag in maximum-rate descents. In ,%5B%5Bvortex surfing%5D%5D, tests performed by two C-17s, up to 10% fuel savings were reported.,%3Cref%3EDrinnon, Roger. %5Bhttp://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123321609 "'Vortex surfing' could be revolutionary."%5D %7B%7Bwebarchive %7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116045517/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123321609 %7Cdate=16 November 2012%7D%7D %5B%5BU.S. Air Force%5D%5D, 11 October 2012. Retrieved: 23 November 2012.%3C/ref%3E, ,%5B%5BFile:RAAF Boeing C-17 landing at Kharkov.jpg%7Cthumb%7Cleft%7CA %5B%5BRoyal Australian Air Force%5D%5D C-17 landing at %5B%5BKharkiv International Airport%5D%5D, showing its landing gear%5D%5D, ,For cargo operations the C-17 requires a crew of three: pilot, copilot, and loadmaster. The cargo compartment is ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C88%7Cft%7Cm%7D%7D, long by ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C18%7Cft%7Cm%7D%7D, wide by ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C12%7Cft%7C4%7Cin%7Cm%7D%7D, high. The cargo floor has rollers for palletized cargo but it can be flipped to provide a flat floor suitable for vehicles and other rolling stock. Cargo is loaded through a large aft ramp that accommodates ,%5B%5Brolling stock%5D%5D,, such as a 69-ton (63-metric ton) ,%5B%5BM1 Abrams%5D%5D, ,%5B%5Bmain battle tank%5D%5D,, other armored vehicles, trucks, and trailers, along with ,%5B%5B463L master pallet%7Cpalletized cargo%5D%5D,., ,Maximum payload of the C-17 is ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C170900%7Clb%7Ckg ST%7D%7D,, and its ,%5B%5Bmaximum takeoff weight%5D%5D, is ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C585000%7Clb%7Ckg%7D%7D,. With a payload of ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C160000%7Clb%7Ckg%7D%7D, and an initial cruise altitude of ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C28000%7Cft%7Cm%7Cabbr=on%7D%7D,, the C-17 has an unrefueled range of about ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C2400%7Cnmi%7Ckm%7Cabbr=off%7D%7D, on the first 71 aircraft, and ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C2800%7Cnmi%7Ckm%7Cabbr=off%7D%7D, on all subsequent extended-range models that include a sealed center wing bay as a fuel tank. Boeing informally calls these aircraft the ,C-17 ER,.,%3Cref name=bids c17 fml%3E%5Bhttp://www.boeing.com/commercial/airports/arff/arffc17.pdf "C-17/C-17 ER Flammable Material Locations."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive %7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025184815/http://www.boeing.com/commercial/airports/arff/arffc17.pdf %7Cdate=25 October 2007%7D%7D Boeing, 1 May 2005.%3C/ref%3E, The C-17's cruise speed is about ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C450%7Ckn%7Ckm/h%7D%7D, (Mach 0.74). It is designed to airdrop 102 ,%5B%5Bparatrooper%5D%5D,s and their equipment.,%3Cref name=AF fact/%3E, According to Boeing the maximum unloaded range is 6,230 nautical miles (10,026 Kilometers).,%3Cref%3E%7B%7BCite web%7Ctitle=Boeing: C-17 Globemaster III%7Curl=https://www.boeing.com/defense/c-17-globemaster-iii/%7Caccess-date=2022-02-17%7Cwebsite=www.boeing.com%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,The C-17 is designed to operate from runways as short as ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C3500%7Cft%7Cm%7Cabbr=on%7D%7D, and as narrow as ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C90%7Cft%7Cm%7Cabbr=on%7D%7D,. The C-17 can also operate from unpaved, unimproved runways (although with greater chance to damage the aircraft).,%3Cref name=AF fact /%3E, The thrust reversers can be used to move the aircraft backwards and reverse direction on narrow taxiways using a three- (or more) point turn. The plane is designed for 20 ,%5B%5Bman-hour%5D%5D,s of maintenance per flight hour, and a 74% mission availability rate.,%3Cref name=AF fact /%3E, ,==Operational history==, ,===United States Air Force===, ,The first production C-17 was delivered to ,%5B%5BCharleston Air Force Base%5D%5D,, South Carolina, on 14 July 1993. The first C-17 unit, the ,%5B%5B17th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D,, became operationally ready on 17 January 1995.,%3Cref name=nort units%3ENorton 2001, pp. 94–95.%3C/ref%3E, It has broken 22 records for oversized payloads.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2001/q4/nr 011128n.htm "Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Claims 13 World Records."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415163714/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2001/q4/nr 011128n.htm %7Cdate=15 April 2012%7D%7D Boeing, 28 November 2001.%3C/ref%3E, The C-17 was awarded U.S. aviation's most prestigious award, the ,%5B%5BCollier Trophy%5D%5D,, in 1994.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.naa.aero/html/awards/index.cfm?cmsid=150 "Collier Trophy, 1990–1999 winners."%5D%7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528193410/http://www.naa.aero/html/awards/index.cfm?cmsid=150 %7Cdate=28 May 2008%7D%7D National Aeronautic Association. Retrieved: 1 April 2010.%3C/ref%3E, A Congressional report on operations in Kosovo and ,%5B%5BOperation Allied Force%5D%5D, noted "One of the great success stories...was the performance of the Air Force's C-17A",%3Cref%3EDepartment of Defense 2000, p. 39.%3C/ref%3E, It flew half of the strategic airlift missions in the operation, the type could use small airfields, easing operations; rapid turnaround times also led to efficient utilization.,%3Cref%3EDepartment of Defense 2000, p. 40.%3C/ref%3E, ,%5B%5BFile:C17 aircraft alt.jpg%7Cthumb%7CUSAF C-17s fly over the %5B%5BBlue Ridge Mountains%5D%5D in the eastern U.S. in December 2005%5D%5D, ,In 2006, eight C-17s were delivered to ,%5B%5BMarch Joint Air Reserve Base%5D%5D,, California; controlled by the ,%5B%5BAir Force Reserve Command%5D%5D, (AFRC), assigned to the ,%5B%5B452d Air Mobility Wing%5D%5D, and subsequently assigned to AMC's ,%5B%5B436th Airlift Wing%5D%5D, and its AFRC "associate" unit, the ,%5B%5B512th Airlift Wing%5D%5D,, at ,%5B%5BDover Air Force Base%5D%5D,, Delaware, supplementing the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web%7Curl=http://www.dover.af.mil/units/index.asp%7Ctitle=Dover Air Force Base – Units%7Cwork=af.mil%7Caccess-date=1 June 2016 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414182845/http://www.dover.af.mil/units/index.asp%7Carchive-date=14 April 2016 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, The Mississippi Air National Guard's 172 Airlift Group received their first of eight C-17s in 2006. In 2011, the ,%5B%5BNew York Air National Guard%5D%5D,'s ,%5B%5B105th Airlift Wing%5D%5D, at ,%5B%5BStewart Air National Guard Base%5D%5D, transitioned from the C-5 to the C-17.,%3Cref name=Stewart History%3E%5Bhttp://www.105aw.ang.af.mil/history/index.asp "105th Airlift Wing, New York Air National Guard – History"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214201134/http://www.105aw.ang.af.mil/history/index.asp %7Cdate=14 February 2013%7D%7D. Retrieved 3 March 2014.%3C/ref%3E, ,C-17s delivered military supplies during ,%5B%5BOperation Enduring Freedom%5D%5D, in Afghanistan and ,%5B%5BIraq War%7COperation Iraqi Freedom%5D%5D, in Iraq as well as ,%5B%5Bhumanitarian aid%5D%5D, in the aftermath of the ,%5B%5B2010 Haiti earthquake%5D%5D,, and the ,%5B%5B2011 Sindh floods%5D%5D,, delivering thousands of food rations, tons of medical and emergency supplies. On 26 March 2003, 15 USAF C-17s participated in the biggest combat airdrop since the ,%5B%5BUnited States invasion of Panama%5D%5D, in December 1989: the night-time airdrop of 1,000 paratroopers from the ,%5B%5B173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team (United States)%7C173rd Airborne Brigade%5D%5D, occurred over Bashur, Iraq. These airdrops were followed by C-17s ferrying M1 Abrams, M2 Bradleys, M113s and artillery.,%3Cref%3EAnderson, Jon R. %5Bhttp://www.stripes.com/news/1st-id-task-force-s-tanks-deployed-to-northern-iraq-1.4187 "1st ID task force's tanks deployed to northern Iraq."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002123053/http://www.stripes.com/news/1st-id-task-force-s-tanks-deployed-to-northern-iraq-1.4187 %7Cdate=2 October 2012%7D%7D Stars and Stripes, 10 April 2003. Retrieved: 8 June 2011.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web%7Clast1=Faulisi%7Cfirst1=Stephen%7Ctitle=Massive air lift%7Curl=http://www.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000031446/%7Cwebsite=U.S. Air Force Photos%7Cpublisher=United States Air Force%7Caccess-date=31 August 2017%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831174341/http://www.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2000031446/%7Carchive-date=31 August 2017%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, USAF C-17s have also assisted allies in their airlift requirements, such as Canadian vehicles to Afghanistan in 2003 and Australian forces during the ,%5B%5BOperation Astute%7CAustralian-led military deployment to East Timor%5D%5D, in 2006. In 2006, USAF C-17s flew 15 Canadian ,%5B%5BLeopard 1#Canada2%7CLeopard C2 tanks%5D%5D, from Kyrgyzstan into Kandahar in support of NATO's Afghanistan mission. In 2013, five USAF C-17s supported French operations in ,%5B%5BMali%5D%5D,, operating with other nations' C-17s (RAF, NATO and RCAF deployed a single C-17 each)., ,Since 1999, C-17s have been flying annually to Antarctica on ,%5B%5BOperation Deep Freeze%5D%5D, in support of the ,%5B%5BUS Antarctic Research Program%5D%5D,, replacing the C-141s used in prior years. The initial flight was flown by the USAF ,%5B%5B62nd Airlift Wing%5D%5D,.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl= https://www.mcchord.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/1896579/where-its-cold-we-go/ %7Ctitle=Where it's cold we go %7Cdate= July 3, 2019 %7Caccess-date= 6 March 2021 %7Cpublisher= US Air Force%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, The C-17s fly round trip between ,%5B%5BChristchurch Airport%5D%5D, and ,%5B%5BMcMurdo Station%5D%5D, around October each year and take 5 hours to fly each way.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl= https://www.dvidshub.net/news/328690/stars-align-deep-freezes-last-regular-season-mission %7Ctitle=Stars align for Deep Freeze's last regular season mission %7Cauthor= Maj. Brooke Davis %7Cdate= 22 February 2019 %7Caccess-date= 6 March 2021 %7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, In 2006, the C-17 flew its first Antarctic airdrop mission, delivering 70 000 pounds of supplies.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl= https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/128633/c-17-makes-1st-ever-airdrop-to-antarctica/ %7Ctitle= C-17 makes 1st-ever airdrop to Antarctica %7Cdate= December 21, 2006 %7Caccess-date= 6 March 2021 %7Cpublisher = US Air Force %7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, Subsequent air drops continued during the four subsequent years.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl=https://antarcticsun.usap.gov/features/1997 %7Ctitle= Test Run: Air Force Makes Air Drop Over South Pole For Training Exercise %7Cdate= December 18, 2009 %7Caccess-date= 6 March 2021%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,%5B%5BFile:Presidential limousine loaded in aircraft.jpg%7Cthumb%7Cright%7CThe U.S. %5B%5BPresidential state car (United States)%7CPresidential Limousine%5D%5D is transported by a C-17 for long-distance trips.%5D%5D, ,A C-17 accompanies the President of the United States on his visits to both domestic and foreign arrangements, consultations, and meetings. It is used to transport the ,%5B%5BPresidential State Car (United States)%7CPresidential Limousine%5D%5D,, ,%5B%5BMarine One%5D%5D,, and security detachments.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=NewsLibrary&p multi=APAB&d place=APAB&p theme=newslibrary2&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=10526128375A9604&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM "New Mexico Airport runway damaged by President's Cargo Plane."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609070332/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=NewsLibrary&p multi=APAB&d place=APAB&p theme=newslibrary2&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=10526128375A9604&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM %7Cdate=9 June 2011%7D%7D Associated Press, 1 September 2004.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref name=NatGeo On Board%3E%5Bhttps://web.archive.org/web/20130126225131/http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/episodes/on-board-marine-one1/video/ "On Board Marine One, Presidential Fleet"%5D. National Geographic, 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2013.%3C/ref%3E, On several occasions, a C-17 has been used to transport the President himself, temporarily gaining the ,%5B%5BAir Force One%5D%5D, call sign while doing so.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=PD&s site=twincities&p multi=SP&p theme=realcities&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EDCB9D2E176DD80&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM "C-17 proves its worth in Bosnian Supply effort."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609070345/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p product=PD&s site=twincities&p multi=SP&p theme=realcities&p action=search&p maxdocs=200&p topdoc=1&p text direct-0=0EDCB9D2E176DD80&p field direct-0=document id&p perpage=10&p sort=YMD date:D&s trackval=GooglePM %7Cdate=9 June 2011%7D%7D St Paul Pioneer, 16 February 1996.%3C/ref%3E, ,Debate arose over follow-on C-17 orders, the USAF requested line shutdown while ,%5B%5BUnited States Congress%7CCongress%5D%5D, called for further production. In ,%5B%5BFiscal year%7CFY%5D%5D,2007, the USAF requested $1.6 billion in response to "excessive combat use" on the C-17 fleet.,%3Cref name=avweek 20060313%3EFulghum, D., A. Butler and D. Barrie. %5Bhttp://awin.aviationweek.com/ArticlesStory.aspx?id=b9a164fd-807b-4404-8224-f386cc54691f"Boeing's C-17 wins against EADS' A400."%5D %7B%7Bdead link%7Cdate=July 2019%7Cbot=medic%7D%7D%7B%7Bcbignore%7Cbot=medic%7D%7D %5B%5BAviation Week & Space Technology%5D%5D, 13 March 2006, p. 43.%3C/ref%3E, In 2008, USAF General ,%5B%5BArthur Lichte%5D%5D,, Commander of ,%5B%5BAir Mobility Command%5D%5D,, indicated before a House of Representatives subcommittee on air and land forces a need to extend production to another 15 aircraft to increase the total to 205, and that C-17 production may continue to satisfy airlift requirements.,%3Cref%3ETrimble, Stephen. %5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/04/04/222723/usaf-reveals-c-17-cracks-and-dispute-on-production-future.html "USAF reveals C-17 cracks and dispute on production future."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406082347/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/04/04/222723/usaf-reveals-c-17-cracks-and-dispute-on-production-future.html %7Cdate=6 April 2008%7D%7D Flightglobal.com, 4 April 2008.%3C/ref%3E, The USAF finally decided to cap its C-17 fleet at 223 aircraft; the final delivery was on 12 September 2013.,%3Cref%3EMai, Pat. %5Bhttp://www.ocregister.com/articles/boeing-524848-force-air.html "Air Force to receive its last C-17 today"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive %7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914024815/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/boeing-524848-force-air.html %7Cdate=14 September 2013%7D%7D "OrangeCountRegister.com",12 September 2013.%3C/ref%3E, ,In 2015, as part of a missile-defense test at ,%5B%5BWake Island%5D%5D,, simulated medium-range ,%5B%5Bballistic missile%5D%5D,s were launched from C-17s against ,%5B%5BTerminal High Altitude Area Defense%7CTHAAD missile defense systems%5D%5D, and the ,%5B%5BUSS John Paul Jones (DDG-53)%7CUSS John Paul Jones (DDG-53)%5D%5D,.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web%7Curl=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-missile-defense-idUSKCN0SQ2GR20151102%7Ctitle=U.S. completes complex test of layered missile defense system%7Clast=Shalal%7Cfirst=Andrea%7Clocation=%5B%5BWashington, D.C.%5D%5D%7Cwork=Reuters%7Cdate=1 November 2015%7Caccess-date=28 April 2021%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117074749/https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/02/us-usa-missile-defense-idUSKCN0SQ2GR20151102%7Carchive-date=17 November 2015%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, In early 2020, ,%5B%5BPallet%7Cpalletized%5D%5D, munitions–"Combat Expendable Platforms"– were tested from C-17s and C-130Js with results the USAF considered positive.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7BCite web%7Curl=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/05/27/air-force-looking-to-up-gun-its-airlift-planes/%7Ctitle=US Air Force looks to up-gun its airlift planes%7Clast=Insinna%7Cfirst=Valerie%7Cwork=Defense News%7Cdate=27 May 2020%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,On 15 August 2021, USAF C-17 02-1109 from the ,%5B%5B62nd Airlift Wing%5D%5D, and ,%5B%5B446th Airlift Wing%5D%5D, at ,%5B%5BJoint Base Lewis-McChord%5D%5D, departed ,%5B%5BHamid Karzai International Airport%5D%5D, in ,%5B%5BKabul%5D%5D,, ,%5B%5BAfghanistan%5D%5D,, while crowds of people trying to escape the ,%5B%5B2021 Taliban offensive%5D%5D, ran alongside the aircraft. The C-17 lifted off with people holding on to the outside, and at least two died after falling from the aircraft. There were an unknown number possibly crushed and killed by the landing gear retracting, with human remains found in the landing-gear stowage.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7BCite web %7Cdate=2021-08-16%7Ctitle=Kabul airport: footage appears to show Afghans falling from plane after takeoff %7Curl=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/16/kabul-airport-chaos-and-panic-as-afghans-and-foreigners-attempt-to-flee-the-capital %7Cwebsite=the Guardian%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%7B%7BCite news %7Clast=Cooper %7Cfirst=Helene%7Clast2=Schmitt %7Cfirst2=Eric %7Cdate=2021-08-17 %7Ctitle=Body Parts Found in Landing Gear of Flight From Kabul, Officials Say %7Cwork=The New York Times %7Curl=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/us/politics/afghans-deaths-us-plane.html %7Carchive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/17/us/politics/afghans-deaths-us-plane.html %7Carchive-date=2021-12-28 %7Curl-access=limited %7Caccess-date=2021-08-18 %7Cissn=0362-4331%7D%7D%7B%7Bcbignore%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Curl= https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/08/16/the-last-runway-out-of-kabul-us-transport-jets-face-complex-evacuation-mission/ %7Ctitle= The last runway out of Kabul: US transport jets face complex evacuation mission %7Cdate= 18 August 2021%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, Also that day, C-17 01-0186 from the ,%5B%5B816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron%5D%5D, at ,%5B%5BAl Udeid Air Base%5D%5D, transported 823 Afghan citizens from Hamid Karzai International Airport on a single flight, setting a new record for the type,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Curl=https://www.airforcemag.com/kabul-evacuation-flight-c-17-record/ %7Caccess-date=22 August 2021 %7Cpublisher=Air Force News %7Cdate=Aug 20, 2021 %7Ctitle=Kabul Evacuation Flight Sets C-17 Record With 823 On Board %7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, which was previously over 670 people during a 2013 typhoon evacuation from ,%5B%5BTacloban%5D%5D,, ,%5B%5BPhilippines%5D%5D,.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/467793/c-17-crew-members-reflect-on-philippine-relief-efforts/ %7Cpublisher=U.S. Air Force %7Cdate=Dec 19, 2013 %7Ctitle=C-17 crew members reflect on Philippine relief efforts %7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,===Royal Air Force===, ,Boeing marketed the C-17 to many European nations including Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. The ,%5B%5BRoyal Air Force%5D%5D, (RAF) has established an aim of having interoperability and some weapons and capabilities commonality with the USAF. The 1998 ,%5B%5BStrategic Defence Review%5D%5D, identified a requirement for a strategic airlifter. The Short-Term Strategic Airlift competition commenced in September of that year, but the tender was canceled in August 1999 with some bids identified by ministers as too expensive, including the Boeing/,%5B%5BBritish Aerospace%7CBAe%5D%5D, C-17 bid, and others unsuitable.,%3Cref name=business%3EO'Connell, Dominic. "Political clash haunts MoD deal decision." The Business (Sunday Business Group), 5 December 1999.%3C/ref%3E, The project continued, with the C-17 seen as the favorite.,%3Cref name=business/%3E, In the light of ,%5B%5BAirbus A400M%5D%5D, delays, the UK ,%5B%5BSecretary of State for Defence%5D%5D,, ,%5B%5BGeoff Hoon%5D%5D,, announced in May 2000 that the RAF would lease four C-17s at an annual cost of ,%5B%5BPound sterling%7C£%5D%5D,100 million from Boeing,%3Cref name=avweek 20060313/%3E, for an initial seven years with an optional two-year extension. The RAF had the option to buy or return the aircraft to Boeing. The UK committed to upgrading its C-17s in line with the USAF so that if they were returned, the USAF could adopt them. The lease agreement restricted the C-17's operational use, meaning that the RAF could not use them for para-drop, airdrop, rough field, low-level operations and air to air refueling.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web%7Curl=http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2012/09/the-airbus-a400m-atlas-part-1-background-progress-and-c130j-or-c17-options/%7Ctitle=The Airbus A400M Atlas – Part 1 (Background, Progress and Options)%7Cdate=4 September 2012%7Cwork=Think Defence%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506215911/http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2012/09/the-airbus-a400m-atlas-part-1-background-progress-and-c130j-or-c17-options/%7Carchive-date=6 May 2016%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,The first C-17 was delivered to the RAF at Boeing's Long Beach facility on 17 May 2001 and flown to ,%5B%5BRAF Brize Norton%5D%5D, by a crew from ,%5B%5BNo. 99 Squadron RAF%7CNo. 99 Squadron%5D%5D,. The RAF's fourth C-17 was delivered on 24 August 2001. The RAF aircraft were some of the first to take advantage of the new center wing fuel tank found in Block 13 aircraft. In RAF service, the C-17 has not been given an ,%5B%5BBritish military aircraft designation systems%7Cofficial service name and designation%5D%5D, (for example, C-130J referred to as Hercules C4 or C5), but is referred to simply as the C-17 or "C-17A Globemaster". Although it was to be a fallback for the A400M, the ,%5B%5BMinistry of Defence (United Kingdom)%7CMinistry of Defence%5D%5D, (MoD) announced on 21 July 2004 that they had elected to buy their four C-17s at the end of the lease,,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/review-turns-up-the-heat-on-eurofighter-186087/ "Review turns up the heat on eurofighter"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729091343/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/review-turns-up-the-heat-on-eurofighter-186087/ %7Cdate=29 July 2013%7D%7D. Flight International, 22 July 2004.%3C/ref%3E, though the A400M appeared to be closer to production. The C-17 gives the RAF strategic capabilities that it would not wish to lose, for example a maximum payload of ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C169500%7Clb%7Ckg%7D%7D, compared to the A400M's ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C82000%7Clb%7Ckg%7D%7D,.,%3Cref name=avweek 20060313/%3E, The C-17's capabilities allow the RAF to use it as an airborne hospital for ,%5B%5Bmedical evacuation%5D%5D, missions.,%3Cref%3E"%5Bhttp://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-air-hospital The Air Hospital%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107000045/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-air-hospital %7Cdate=7 November 2012%7D%7D" %5B%5BChannel 4%5D%5D, 25 March 2010. Retrieved: 10 October 2012.%3C/ref%3E, ,Another C-17 was ordered in August 2006, and delivered on 22 February 2008. The four leased C-17s were to be purchased later in 2008.,%3Cref%3EHoyle, Craig. %5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/04/07/222815/pictures-uk-receives-fifth-c-17-as-raf-fleet-passes-40000-flight.html "UK receives fifth C-17, as RAF fleet passes 40,000 flight hours."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206104455/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/04/07/222815/pictures-uk-receives-fifth-c-17-as-raf-fleet-passes-40000-flight.html %7Cdate=6 December 2008%7D%7D FlightGlobal.com, 14 April 2008.%3C/ref%3E, Due to fears that the A400M may suffer further delays, the MoD announced in 2006 that it planned to acquire three more C-17s, for a total of eight, with delivery in 2009–2010.,%3Cref name=UK 6th%3E%5Bhttp://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/BrownePurchaseOfExtraC17WillsignificantlyBoostUkMilitaryOperations.htm "Browne: Purchase of extra C-17 will 'significantly boost' UK military operations."%5D UK Ministry of Defence, 27 July 2007. %7B%7Bwebarchive %7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218215956/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/BrownePurchaseOfExtraC17WillsignificantlyBoostUkMilitaryOperations.htm %7Cdate=18 February 2012%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, On 3 December 2007, the MoD announced a contract for a sixth C-17,,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/RafGetsSixthC17Globemaster.htm "RAF gets sixth C-17 Globemaster."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211202144/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/RafGetsSixthC17Globemaster.htm %7Cdate=11 December 2007%7D%7D UK Ministry of Defence, 4 December 2007.%3C/ref%3E, which was received on 11 June 2008.,%3Cref%3E %5Bhttp://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q2/080611c nr.html "Boeing delivers 6th C-17 to Royal Air Force."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617105332/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q2/080611c nr.html %7Cdate=17 June 2008%7D%7D Boeing, 11 June 2008. %3C/ref%3E, On 18 December 2009, Boeing confirmed that the RAF had ordered a seventh C-17,,%3Cref name=7th C-17%3EDrelling, Jerry and Madonna Walsh. %5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1000 "Royal Air Force to Acquire 7th Boeing C-17 Globemaster III."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091221175104/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1000 %7Cdate=21 December 2009%7D%7D Boeing, 17 December 2009.%3C/ref%3E, which was delivered on 16 November 2010.,%3Cref name=RAF Boeing C-17s%3EDrelling, Jerry and Madonna Walsh. %5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1523 "Boeing delivers UK Royal Air Force's 7th C-17 Globemaster III."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123124605/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1523 %7Cdate=23 November 2010%7D%7D Boeing, 16 November 2010.%3C/ref%3E, The UK announced the purchase of its eighth C-17 in February 2012.,%3Cref%3EHoyle, Craig. %5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-to-buy-eighth-c-17-transport-367960/ "UK to buy eighth C-17 transport"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213095909/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-to-buy-eighth-c-17-transport-367960/ %7Cdate=13 February 2012%7D%7D. Flight International, 8 February 2012.%3C/ref%3E, The RAF showed interest in buying a ninth C-17 in November 2013.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttps://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20131129020637/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20131124/DEFREG01/311240001/UK-Shows-Interest-Buying-Another-C-17 "UK Shows Interest in Buying Another C-17"%5D DefenseNews 24 November 2013.%3C/ref%3E, ,On 13 January 2013, the RAF deployed two C-17s from RAF Brize Norton to the French ,%5B%5BÉvreux-Fauville Air Base%7CÉvreux Air Base%5D%5D,, transporting French armored vehicles to the Malian capital of ,%5B%5BBamako%5D%5D, during the ,%5B%5BMali War#Battle of Konna and French intervention%7CFrench intervention in Mali%5D%5D,.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7BCitation %7Curl=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21004040 %7Cdate=13 January 2013 %7Ctitle=Mali: RAF C17 cargo plane to help French operation %7Cwork=BBC News %7Caccess-date=20 June 2018 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002070412/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21004040 %7Carchive-date=2 October 2018 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, In June 2015, an RAF C-17 was used to medically evacuate four victims of the ,%5B%5B2015 Sousse attacks%5D%5D, from Tunisia.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Curl=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33322789 %7Ctitle=Tunisia attack: Injured Britons flown home by RAF %7Cwork = BBC News %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626082813/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33322789 %7Carchive-date=26 June 2016 %7Curl-status=live %7Cdate=30 June 2015%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,===Royal Australian Air Force===, ,%7B%7Bmain%7CBoeing C-17 Globemaster III in Australian service%7D%7D, ,%5B%5BFile:RAAF Boeing C-17A Globemaster III TSV Zhu.jpg%7Cthumb%7CAn RAAF C-17 in 2010%5D%5D, ,The ,%5B%5BRoyal Australian Air Force%5D%5D, (RAAF) began investigating an acquisition of strategic transport aircraft in 2005.,%3Cref name=McLaughlin p40-41%3EMcLaughlin 2008, pp. 40–41.%3C/ref%3E, In late 2005, the then ,%5B%5BMinister for Defence (Australia)%7CMinister for Defence%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BRobert Hill (Australian diplomat)%7CRobert Hill%5D%5D, stated that such aircraft were being considered due to the limited availability of strategic airlift aircraft from partner nations and air freight companies. The C-17 was considered to be favored over the A400M as it was a "proven aircraft" and in production. One major RAAF requirement was the ability to airlift the ,%5B%5BAustralian Army%7CArmy's%5D%5D, M1 Abrams tanks; another requirement was immediate delivery.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web%7Curl=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/australia-to-spend-up-to-15-bn-on-4-c17s-updated-01971/%7Ctitle=Heavy Lifting Down Under: Australias Growing C-17 Fleet%7Cwork=defenseindustrydaily.com%7Caccess-date=1 June 2016%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317100743/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/australia-to-spend-up-to-15-bn-on-4-c17s-updated-01971/%7Carchive-date=17 March 2016%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, Though unstated, commonality with the USAF and the RAF was also considered advantageous. RAAF aircraft were ordered directly from the USAF production run and are identical to American C-17s even in paint scheme, the only difference being the ,%5B%5BMilitary aircraft insignia%7Cnational marking%5D%5D,s, allowing deliveries to commence within nine months of commitment to the program.,%3Cref name=awst 20061211%3E"Stock Standard". %5B%5BAviation Week & Space Technology%5D%5D, 11 December 2006.%3C/ref%3E, ,On 2 March 2006, the Australian government announced the purchase of three aircraft and one option with an entry into service date of 2006.,%3Cref name=avweek 20060313/%3E, In July 2006 a fixed price contract was awarded to Boeing to deliver four C-17s for ,%7B%7BUSD%7C780M%7D%7D, (,%7B%7BAUD%7C1bn%7D%7D,).,%3Cref name=DID Australia C-17%3E%5Bhttp://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/australia-to-spend-up-to-15-bn-on-4-c17s-updated-01971/ "Heavy Lifting Down Under: Australia Buys C-17s."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006041203/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/australia-to-spend-up-to-15-bn-on-4-c17s-updated-01971/ %7Cdate=6 October 2011%7D%7D Defense Industry Daily, 27 November 2012.%3C/ref%3E, Australia also signed a US$80.7M contract to join the global 'virtual fleet' C-17 sustainment program,%3Cref name=McLaughlin p42%3EMcLaughlin 2008, p. 42.%3C/ref%3E, and the RAAF's C-17s will receive the same upgrades as the USAF's fleet.,%3Cref name=McLaughlin p46%3EMcLaughlin 2008, p. 46.%3C/ref%3E, ,The RAAF took delivery of its first C-17 in a ceremony at Boeing's plant at Long Beach, California on 28 November 2006.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/c17/news/2006/q4/061128b nr.html "Boeing delivers Royal Australian Air Force's First C-17."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629095605/http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/c17/news/2006/q4/061128b nr.html %7Cdate=29 June 2011%7D%7D Boeing, 28 November 2010. Retrieved: 13 August 2010.%3C/ref%3E, Several days later the aircraft flew from ,%5B%5BHickam Air Force Base%5D%5D,, Hawaii to ,%5B%5BFairbairn, Canberra%7CDefence Establishment Fairbairn%5D%5D,, Canberra, arriving on 4 December 2006. The aircraft was formally accepted in a ceremony at Fairbairn shortly after arrival.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.defence.gov.au/minister/49tpl.cfm?CurrentId=6212 "First C-17 arrives in Australia."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502225152/http://www.defence.gov.au/minister/49tpl.cfm?CurrentId=6212 %7Cdate=2 May 2012%7D%7D Australian Government: The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson, Minister for Defence, 4 December 2006.%3C/ref%3E, The second aircraft was delivered to the RAAF on 11 May 2007 and the third was delivered on 18 December 2007. The fourth Australian C-17 was delivered on 19 January 2008.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.tamilsydney.com/content/view/1133/1/ "Air Force's C-17 fleet delivered on time, on budget."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929150846/http://www.tamilsydney.com/content/view/1133/1/ %7Cdate=29 September 2011%7D%7D %5B%5BGreg Combet%7CThe Hon. Greg Combet MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement%5D%5D, 18 January 2008. Retrieved: 1 July 2011.%3C/ref%3E, All the Australian C-17s are operated by ,%5B%5BNo. 36 Squadron RAAF%7CNo. 36 Squadron%5D%5D, and are based at ,%5B%5BRAAF Base Amberley%5D%5D, in Queensland.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttps://web.archive.org/web/20080329050815/http://www.raaf.gov.au/aircraft/globemaster.htm "C-17 Globemaster heavy transport."%5D Royal Australian Air Force, 29 March 2008.%3C/ref%3E, ,On 18 April 2011, Boeing announced that Australia had signed an agreement with the U.S. government to acquire a fifth C-17 due to an increased demand for humanitarian and disaster relief missions.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1709 "Boeing, Australia Announce Order for 5th C-17 Globemaster III."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717093149/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1709 %7Cdate=17 July 2011%7D%7D Boeing Press Release, 18 April 2011.%3C/ref%3E, The aircraft was delivered to the RAAF on 14 September 2011.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://australianaviation.com.au/2011/09/fifth-raaf-c-17-delivered/ "Fifth RAAF C-17 delivered."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230103510/http://australianaviation.com.au/2011/09/fifth-raaf-c-17-delivered/ %7Cdate=30 December 2011%7D%7D Australian Aviation, 23 September 2011. Retrieved: 15 September 2011.%3C/ref%3E, On 23 September 2011, Australian Minister for Defence Materiel ,%5B%5BJason Clare%5D%5D, announced that the government was seeking information from the U.S. about the price and delivery schedule for a sixth Globemaster.,%3Cref%3E Clare, Jason. %5Bhttp://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2011/09/23/minister-for-defence-materiel-sixth-c-17a-globemaster-iii-–-letter-of-request/ "Sixth C-17A Globemaster III – Letter of Request."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609111644/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2011/09/23/minister-for-defence-materiel-sixth-c-17a-globemaster-iii-â-letter-of-request/ %7Cdate=9 June 2016%7D%7D Department of Defence. Retrieved: 23 September 2011. %3C/ref%3E, In November 2011, Australia requested a sixth C-17 through the U.S. ,%5B%5BForeign Military Sales%5D%5D, program; it was ordered in June 2012, and was delivered on 1 November 2012.,%3Cref name="Purchase of additional C17"%3E %5Bhttp://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/03/19/minister-for-defence-and-minister-for-defence-materiel-joint-media-release-purchase-of-additional-c17/ "Purchase of additional C17."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321033447/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/03/19/minister-for-defence-and-minister-for-defence-materiel-joint-media-release-purchase-of-additional-c17/ %7Cdate=21 March 2012%7D%7D Minister for Defence and Minister for Defence Materiel – joint media release, 20 March 2012. %3C/ref%3E,%3Cref name=DID Heavy Lifting Down Under%3E%5Bhttp://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/australia-to-spend-up-to-15-bn-on-4-c17s-updated-01971/ "Heavy Lifting Down Under: Australia Buys C-17s."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006041203/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/australia-to-spend-up-to-15-bn-on-4-c17s-updated-01971/ %7Cdate=6 October 2011%7D%7D defenseindustrydaily.com, 20 June 2012. Retrieved: 10 July 2012.%3C/ref%3E, ,In August 2014, Defence Minister ,%5B%5BDavid Johnston (Australian politician)%7CDavid Johnston%5D%5D, announced the intention to purchase one or two additional C-17s.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news%7Curl=http://www.news.com.au/national/prime-minister-tony-abbott-to-fly-worldwide-nonstop-on-airbus-kc30a/story-fncynjr2-1227023370734%7Ctitle=Prime Minister Tony Abbott to fly worldwide non-stop on Airbus KC-30A%7Cwork=%5B%5Bnews.com.au%5D%5D%7Cdate=14 August 2014%7Caccess-date=14 August 2014%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929015609/http://www.news.com.au/national/prime-minister-tony-abbott-to-fly-worldwide-nonstop-on-airbus-kc30a/story-fncynjr2-1227023370734%7Carchive-date=29 September 2015%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, On 3 October 2014, Johnston announced the government's approval to buy two C-17s at a total cost of ,%7B%7BUSD%7C770M%7D%7D, (,%7B%7BAUD%7C1bn%7D%7D,).,%3Cref name="gw2015"%3E%7B%7Bcitation %7Cfirst=Greg %7Clast=Waldron %7Curl=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/australia-confirms-order-for-two-additional-c-17s-411041/ %7Ctitle=Australia confirms order for two additional C-17s %7Cwork=%5B%5BFlightglobal%5D%5D %7Cpublisher=Reed Business Information %7Cdate=10 April 2015 %7Caccess-date=10 April 2015 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413035241/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/australia-confirms-order-for-two-additional-c-17s-411041/ %7Carchive-date=13 April 2015 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, The ,%5B%5BUnited States Congress%5D%5D, approved the sale under the Foreign Military Sales program.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.news.com.au/technology/design/abbott-government-to-spend-500-million-on-two-new-boeing-c17-heavylift-transport-jets/story-fnpjxnlk-1227078035546 Abbott Government to spend $500 million on two new Boeing C-17 heavy-lift transport jets%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007054116/http://www.news.com.au/technology/design/abbott-government-to-spend-500-million-on-two-new-boeing-c17-heavylift-transport-jets/story-fnpjxnlk-1227078035546 %7Cdate=7 October 2014%7D%7D. Retrieved on 12 October 2014.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/australia-to-buy-up-to-four-more-c-17s-404418/ Australia to buy up to four more C-17s%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008034555/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/australia-to-buy-up-to-four-more-c-17s-404418/ %7Cdate=8 October 2014%7D%7D. Retrieved on 12 October 2014.%3C/ref%3E, Prime Minister Tony Abbott confirmed in April 2015 that two additional aircraft were to be ordered, with both delivered by 4 November 2015;,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news%7Curl=http://australianaviation.com.au/2015/04/pm-confirms-two-extra-c-17s-for-the-raaf/%7Ctitle=PM confirms two extra C-17s for the RAAF%7Cpublisher=Australian Aviation%7Cdate=10 April 2015%7Caccess-date=15 April 2015%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424023737/http://australianaviation.com.au/2015/04/pm-confirms-two-extra-c-17s-for-the-raaf/%7Carchive-date=24 April 2015%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, these added to the six C-17s it had ,%7B%7Bas of%7C2015%7Clc=y%7D%7D,.,%3Cref name="gw2015" /%3E, ,===Royal Canadian Air Force===, ,%5B%5BFile:Boeing C-17 Globemaster III departs RIAT Fairford on 17July2017 arp.jpg%7Cthumb%7CA %5B%5BRoyal Canadian Air Force%5D%5D C-17 (code 177703) departs the 2017 %5B%5BRoyal International Air Tattoo%5D%5D, %5B%5BRAF Fairford%5D%5D, %5B%5BEngland%5D%5D%5D%5D, ,The ,%5B%5BCanadian Forces%5D%5D, had a long-standing need for strategic airlift for military and humanitarian operations around the world. It had followed a pattern similar to the ,%5B%5BGerman Air Force%5D%5D, in leasing ,%5B%5BAntonov%5D%5D,s and ,%5B%5BIlyushin%5D%5D,s for many requirements, including deploying the ,%5B%5BDisaster Assistance Response Team%5D%5D, to tsunami-stricken Sri Lanka in 2005; the Canadian Forces had relied entirely on leased ,%5B%5BAntonov An-124%7CAn-124 Ruslan%5D%5D, for a ,%5B%5BCanadian Army%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BOperation Halo%7Cdeployment to Haiti%5D%5D, in 2003.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7BCite news %7Curl=http://magazine.wingsmagazine.com/publication/?i=26329&article id=261506&view=articleBrowser&ver=html5#%7B"issue id":26329,"view":"articleBrowser","article id":"261506"%7D %7Ctitle=The Standard For Strategic Airlift%7Caccess-date=2018-10-11%7Clanguage=en-US%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214855/http://magazine.wingsmagazine.com/publication/?i=26329&article id=261506&view=articleBrowser&ver=html5#%7B"issue id":26329,"view":"articleBrowser","article id":"261506"%7D%7Carchive-date=11 October 2018%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, A combination of leased ,Ruslans,, Ilyushins and USAF C-17s was also used to move heavy equipment to Afghanistan. In 2002, the Canadian Forces Future Strategic Airlifter Project began to study alternatives, including long-term leasing arrangements.,%3Cref%3EWhelan, Peter. %5Bhttp://ploughshares.ca/pl publications/strategic-lift-capacity-for-canada/ "Strategic lift capacity for Canada."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305022906/http://ploughshares.ca/pl publications/strategic-lift-capacity-for-canada/ %7Cdate=5 March 2016%7D%7D The Ploughshares Monitor, Volume 26, Issue 2, Summer 2005.%3C/ref%3E, ,On 5 July 2006, the Canadian government issued a notice of intent to negotiate with Boeing to procure four airlifters for the Canadian Forces Air Command (,%5B%5BRoyal Canadian Air Force%5D%5D, after August 2011).,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.merx.com/English/SUPPLIER Menu.Asp?WCE=Show&TAB=1&State=7&id=PW-$SSC-004-13706&hcode=lZi0smL/mio4eGxwwqDpfg== Airlift Capability Project – Strategic ACP-S – ACAN%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014233633/http://www.merx.com/English/SUPPLIER Menu.Asp?WCE=Show&TAB=1&State=7&id=PW-$SSC-004-13706&hcode=lZi0smL/mio4eGxwwqDpfg== %7Cdate=14 October 2006%7D%7D MERX Website – Government of Canada%3C/ref%3E, On 1 February 2007, Canada awarded a contract for four C-17s with delivery beginning in August 2007.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttps://www.ctvnews.ca/o-connor-announces-military-plane-purchase-1.227438 "O'Connor announces military plane purchase".%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923210545/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070202/oconnor plane 070202/20070202?hub=Canada %7Cdate=23 September 2009%7D%7D CTV.ca, 2 February 2007.%3C/ref%3E, Like Australia, Canada was granted airframes originally slated for the USAF to accelerate delivery.,%3Cref name=fi 20070205%3EWastnage, J. %5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/02/05/211969/canada-gets-usaf-slots-for-august-delivery-after-signing-for-four-boeing-c-17s-in-20-year-c4bn.html "Canada gets USAF slots for August delivery after signing for four Boeing C-17s in 20-year C$4bn deal, settles provincial workshare squabble."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528143933/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/02/05/211969/canada-gets-usaf-slots-for-august-delivery-after-signing-for-four-boeing-c-17s-in-20-year-c4bn.html %7Cdate=28 May 2008%7D%7D %5B%5BFlight International%5D%5D, 5 February 2007.%3C/ref%3E, The official Canadian designation is ,CC-177 Globemaster III,.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/equip/cc177/index-eng.asp "Aircraft – CC-177 Globemaster III."%5D%7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227111556/http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/equip/cc177/index-eng.asp %7Cdate=27 December 2012%7D%7D Royal Canadian Air Force, 15 January 2010.%3C/ref%3E, ,On 23 July 2007, the first Canadian C-17 made its initial flight.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl = https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2007-07-25-Boeing-Starts-Flight-Tests-for-Canadas-First-C-17 %7Ctitle = Boeing Starts Flight Tests for Canada's First C-17 %7Cwebsite = boeing.mediaroom.com %7Cpublisher = %5B%5BThe Boeing Company%5D%5D %7Cdate = 25 July 2007 %7Carchive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150217002944/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2007-07-25-Boeing-Starts-Flight-Tests-for-Canadas-First-C-17 %7Carchive-date = 17 February 2015 %7Curl-status = live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, It was turned over to Canada on 8 August,,%3Cref name=CF C-17%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl = https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2007-08-08-Boeing-Delivers-Canadas-First-C-17 %7Ctitle = Boeing delivers Canada's First C-17 %7Cpublisher = %5B%5BThe Boeing Company%5D%5D %7Cdate = 8 August 2007 %7Caccess-date = 13 March 2019 %7Carchive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150217002914/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2007-08-08-Boeing-Delivers-Canadas-First-C-17 %7Carchive-date = 17 February 2015 %7Curl-status = live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, and participated at the ,%5B%5BAbbotsford International Airshow%5D%5D, on 11 August prior to arriving at its new home base at 8 Wing, ,%5B%5BCFB Trenton%5D%5D,, Ontario on 12 August.,%3Cref name=Trenton%3E%5Bhttp://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/news e.asp?id=4120 "First CC-177 Globemaster III Receives Patriotic and Enthusiastic Welcome."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=http://webarchive.bac-lac.gc.ca:8080/wayback/20071125024457/http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/news e.asp?id=4120 %7Cdate=25 November 2007%7D%7D Department of National Defence. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.%3C/ref%3E, Its first operational mission was to deliver disaster relief to Jamaica following ,%5B%5BHurricane Dean%5D%5D, that month.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttps://www.ctvnews.ca/new-military-aircraft-leaves-on-aid-mission-1.253790 "New military aircraft leaves on aid mission."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505004819/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070824/globemaster 070824/20070824?hub=Canada %7Cdate=5 May 2009%7D%7D Cnews.com, 24 August 2007.%3C/ref%3E, The last of the initial four aircraft was delivered in April 2008.,%3Cref name=CF 4th%3E%5Bhttp://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/news e.asp?cat=114&id=5802 "Canada takes delivery of final CC-177."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070710034852/http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/news e.asp?cat=114 %7Cdate=10 July 2007%7D%7D Canadian Forces, 3 April 2008.%3C/ref%3E, On 19 December 2014, it was reported that Canada intended to purchase one more C-17.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-buys-additional-military-cargo-jet-as-c-17-production-wraps-up-1.2879347 %7Ctitle=Canada buys additional military cargo jet as C-17 production wraps up %7Cwork=CBC News %7Cdate=19 December 2014 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222022754/http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-buys-additional-military-cargo-jet-as-c-17-production-wraps-up-1.2879347 %7Carchive-date=22 December 2014 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, On 30 March 2015, Canada's fifth C-17 arrived at CFB Trenton.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Curl = http://www.intelligencer.ca/2015/03/30/rcafs-new-bird-reaches-its-nest %7Ctitle = RCAF's new bird reaches its nest %7Clast = Lessard %7Cfirst = Jerome %7Cdate=30 March 2015 %7Cnewspaper = Belleville Intelligencer %7Cvia = intelligencer.ca %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624204434/http://www.intelligencer.ca/2015/03/30/rcafs-new-bird-reaches-its-nest %7Carchive-date = 24 June 2016 %7Curl-status = live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, The aircraft are assigned to ,%5B%5B429 Transport Squadron%5D%5D, based at CFB Trenton., ,On 14 April 2010, a Canadian C-17 landed for the first time at ,%5B%5BCFS Alert%5D%5D,, the world's most northerly airport.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/nr-sp/index-eng.asp?id=10443 "Top of the world welcomes CC-177 Globemaster III."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611181048/http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/nr-sp/index-eng.asp?id=10443 %7Cdate=11 June 2011%7D%7D airforce.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved: 18 August 2011.%3C/ref%3E, Canadian Globemasters have been deployed in support of numerous missions worldwide, including ,%5B%5BOperation Hestia%5D%5D, after the earthquake in Haiti, providing airlift as part of ,%5B%5BOperation Mobile%5D%5D, and support to the Canadian mission in Afghanistan. After ,%5B%5BTyphoon Haiyan%5D%5D, hit the Philippines in 2013, Canadian C-17s established an air bridge between the two nations, deploying Canada's DART and delivering humanitarian supplies and equipment. In 2014, they supported Operation Reassurance and Operation Impact.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news%7Ctitle=Ottawa to buy 5th C-17 aircraft%7Curl=http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/ottawa-to-buy-5th-c-17-aircraft-1.2155642%7Cagency=CTV News%7Cpublisher=Bell Media%7Cdate=19 December 2014%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120154926/http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/ottawa-to-buy-5th-c-17-aircraft-1.2155642%7Carchive-date=20 November 2017%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,===Strategic Airlift Capability program===, ,%5B%5BFile:Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, NATO - Strategic Airlift Capability JP6917250.jpg%7Cthumb%7COne of the %5B%5BStrategic Airlift Capability%5D%5D C-17s%5D%5D, ,At the 2006 ,%5B%5BFarnborough Airshow%5D%5D,, a number of NATO member nations signed a ,%5B%5Bletter of intent%5D%5D, to jointly purchase and operate several C-17s within the ,%5B%5BStrategic Airlift Capability%5D%5D, (SAC).,%3Cref name ='NATOairl'/%3E, SAC members are Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, the U.S., along with two ,%5B%5BPartnership for Peace%5D%5D, countries Finland and Sweden as of 2010.,%3Cref name ='NATOairl'%3E%5Bhttp://www.nato.int/issues/strategic-lift-air-sac/index.html "Strategic Airlift Capability: A key capability for the Alliance."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019125328/http://www.nato.int/issues/strategic-lift-air-sac/index.html %7Cdate=19 October 2006%7D%7D NATO. Retrieved: 1 April 2010.%3C/ref%3E, The purchase was for two C-17s, and a third was contributed by the U.S. On 14 July 2009, Boeing delivered the first C-17 under the SAC program. The second and third C-17s were delivered in September and October 2009.,%3Cref%3EHoyle, Craig. %5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/07/15/329668/pictures-boeing-delivers-first-c-17-for-nato-led-heavy-airlift-wing.html "Boeing delivers first C-17 for NATO-led Heavy Airlift Wing."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718095213/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/07/15/329668/pictures-boeing-delivers-first-c-17-for-nato-led-heavy-airlift-wing.html %7Cdate=18 July 2009%7D%7D Flight International, 15 July 2009.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3EDrelling, Jerry and Eszter Ungar.%5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=870 "3rd Boeing C-17 Joins 12-Nation Strategic Airlift Capability Initiative."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919085035/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=870 %7Cdate=19 September 2011%7D%7D Boeing, 7 October 2009.%3C/ref%3E, ,The SAC C-17s are based at ,%5B%5BHungarian Air Force#P.C3.A1pa AFB%7CPápa Air Base%5D%5D,, Hungary. The Heavy Airlift Wing is hosted by Hungary, which acts as the flag nation.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.heavyairliftwing.org/background "Background."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111094857/http://www.heavyairliftwing.org/background %7Cdate=11 November 2011%7D%7D Heavy Airlift Wing. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.%3C/ref%3E, The aircraft are manned in similar fashion as the NATO ,%5B%5BE-3 Sentry%7CE-3%5D%5D, AWACS aircraft.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.e3a.nato.int/ "NATP Airborne Early Warning & Control Force: E-3A Component."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060914041659/http://www.e3a.nato.int/ %7Cdate=14 September 2006%7D%7D NATO. Retrieved: 1 April 2010.%3C/ref%3E, The C-17 flight crew are multi-national, but each mission is assigned to an individual member nation based on the SAC's annual flight hour share agreement. The NATO Airlift Management Programme Office (NAMPO) provides management and support for the Heavy Airlift Wing. NAMPO is a part of the NATO Support Agency (NSPA).,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl=http://www.nspa.nato.int/en/index.htm %7Ctitle=Nato Support and Procurement Agency %7Caccess-date=1 June 2016 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608180109/http://www.nspa.nato.int/en/index.htm %7Carchive-date=8 June 2016 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, In September 2014, Boeing stated that the three C-17s supporting SAC missions had achieved a readiness rate of nearly 94 percent over the last five years and supported over 1,000 missions.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl=http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/boeing-c-17-support-effort-strategic-airlift-capability-exceeds-1000-missions/ %7Ctitle=Boeing C-17 Support Effort for Strategic Airlift Capability Exceeds 1,000 Missions %7Cwork=Defensemedianetwork.com %7Cdate=7 September 2014 %7Caccess-date=1 June 2016 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322034617/http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/boeing-c-17-support-effort-strategic-airlift-capability-exceeds-1000-missions/ %7Carchive-date=22 March 2016 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,===Indian Air Force===, ,In June 2009, the ,%5B%5BIndian Air Force%5D%5D, (IAF) selected the C-17 for its Very Heavy Lift Transport Aircraft requirement to replace several types of transport aircraft.,%3Cref name=tect24j13 /%3E, In January 2010, India requested 10 C-17s through the U.S.'s Foreign Military Sales program,,%3Cref name="India Requests Boeing C-17s."%3EMathews, Neelam. %5Bhttp://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story.jsp?id=news/awx/2010/01/08/awx 01 08 2010 p0-195411.xml&headline=India Requests Boeing C-17s&channel=defense "India Requests Boeing C-17s."%5D Aviation Week, 8 January 2010.%3C/ref%3E, the sale was approved by Congress in June 2010.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.sify.com/news/us-congress-clears-c-17-sale-for-india-news-international-kgcnOdacjcb.html "US Congress clears C-17 sale for India."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022062858/http://www.sify.com/news/us-congress-clears-c-17-sale-for-india-news-international-kgcnOdacjcb.html %7Cdate=22 October 2012%7D%7D Deccan Chronicle, 18 August 2011.%3C/ref%3E, On 23 June 2010, the IAF successfully test-landed a USAF C-17 at the ,%5B%5BGaggal Airport%7CGaggal Airport, India%5D%5D, to complete the IAF's C-17 trials.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.janes.com/news/defence/jdw/jdw100705 1 n.shtml "IAF completes C-17 test-flight."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605171247/http://en.rian.ru/russia/20090212/120098967.html %7Cdate=5 June 2011%7D%7D Jane's Information Group, 5 July 2010.%3C/ref%3E, In February 2011, the IAF and Boeing agreed terms for the order of 10 C-17s,%3Cref name="articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com"%3E%5Bhttp://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-17/news/29138728 1 il-76-iaf-chief-marshal-pv-naik "IAF finalises order for 10 C-17 strategic airlifters."%5D The Times of India, 17 March 2011. Retrieved: 1 July 2011.%3C/ref%3E, with an option for six more; the US$4.1 billion order was approved by the Indian ,%5B%5BCabinet Committee on Security%5D%5D, on 6 June 2011.,%3Cref name=The Hindu Cabinet approved%3EPrasad, K.V. %5Bhttp://www.hindu.com/2011/06/07/stories/2011060765092000.htm "India to buy C-17 heavy-lift transport aircraft from U.S."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608131938/http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/07/stories/2011060765092000.htm %7Cdate=8 June 2011%7D%7D The Hindu, 7 June 2011. Retrieved: 7 June 2011.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref name="livemint.com"%3E%5Bhttp://www.livemint.com/Companies/6uAPJaguKDn2s1jpL6gAUN/India8217s-4-bn-order-to-support-jobs-at-Boeing8217s.html "India's $4-Bn Order To Support Jobs At Boeing."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228065731/http://www.livemint.com/Companies/6uAPJaguKDn2s1jpL6gAUN/India8217s-4-bn-order-to-support-jobs-at-Boeing8217s.html %7Cdate=28 February 2014%7D%7D BusinessWeek, 7 June 2011.%3C/ref%3E, Deliveries began in June 2013 and were to continue to 2014.,%3Cref name=MOD purchase%3E%5Bhttp://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=78432 "Purchase of Transport Aircraft."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004154842/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=78432 %7Cdate=4 October 2018%7D%7D pib.nic.in, 12 December 2011. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news%7Ctitle=Boeing delivers third C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft to Indian Air Force%7Curl=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/boeing-delivers-third-c-17-globemaster-military-transport-aircraft-to-indian-air-force/articleshow/21995683.cms%7Caccess-date=23 August 2013%7Cnewspaper=The Economic Times%7Cdate=23 August 2013%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823092131/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/boeing-delivers-third-c-17-globemaster-military-transport-aircraft-to-indian-air-force/articleshow/21995683.cms%7Carchive-date=23 August 2013%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, In 2012, the IAF reportedly finalized plans to buy six more C-17s in its ,%5B%5BFive-Year plans of India%7Cfive-year plan%5D%5D, for 2017–2022.,%3Cref name=tect24j13%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Ctitle=C-17 boosts India's strategic airlift capability: IAF Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne %7Curl=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/c-17-boosts-indias-strategic-airlift-capability-iaf-air-chief-marshal-n-a-k-browne/articleshow/21267520.cms %7Cwork=The Economic Times %7Cdate=24 July 2013 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912233334/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/c-17-boosts-indias-strategic-airlift-capability-iaf-air-chief-marshal-n-a-k-browne/articleshow/21267520.cms %7Carchive-date=12 September 2017 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref name=toi10sep/%3E,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/india-to-buy-more-than-16-c-17-airlifters/articleshow/8850290.cms "India to buy more than 16 C-17 airlifters."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019172652/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/india-to-buy-more-than-16-c-17-airlifters/articleshow/8850290.cms %7Cdate=19 October 2012%7D%7D Economictimes.indiatimes.com. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.%3C/ref%3E, ,%5B%5BFile:C17 of IAF.jpg%7Cthumb%7Cleft%7CIAF C-17s%5D%5D, ,It provides strategic airlift, the ability to deploy special forces,,%3Cref%3EKnowles, Victoria. %5Bhttp://www.armedforces-int.com/news/c-17-globemaster-for-indian-air-force.html "C-17 Globemaster for Indian Air Force."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803231249/http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/c-17-globemaster-for-indian-air-force.html %7Cdate=3 August 2012%7D%7D Armed Forces International, 1 August 2012.%3C/ref%3E, and to operate in diverse terrain – from Himalayan air bases in North India at ,%7B%7Bconvert%7C13000%7Cft%7Cm%7Cabbr=on%7D%7D, to Indian Ocean bases in South India.,%3Cref name=dh24jy13%3E%7B%7Bcite news%7Ctitle=US Army chief apprised of Indian strategies%7Curl=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/346930/us-army-chief-apprised-indian.html%7Cnewspaper=Deccan Herald%7Cdate=24 July 2013%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726155843/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/346930/us-army-chief-apprised-indian.html%7Carchive-date=26 July 2013%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, The C-17s are based at ,%5B%5BHindon Air Force Station%5D%5D, and are operated by ,%5B%5BNo. 81 Squadron IAF%5D%5D, ,Skylords,.,%3Cref name ="skylordform"%3E%7B%7Bcite news%7Ctitle=Indian Air Force inducts C-17 Globemaster III, forms Skylords Squadron%7Curl=http://frontierindia.net/indian-air-force-inducts-c-17-globemaster-iii-forms-skylords-squadron#axzz2dkJMhASF%7Cnewspaper=Frontier India%7Cdate=2 September 2013%7Curl-status=dead%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904125850/http://frontierindia.net/indian-air-force-inducts-c-17-globemaster-iii-forms-skylords-squadron#axzz2dkJMhASF%7Carchive-date=4 September 2013%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, The first C-17 was delivered in January 2013 for testing and training;,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttps://archive.today/20130215192949/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130124/DEFREG03/301240018/1st-C-17-Airlifter-8216-Delivered-8217-Indian-Officials "1st C-17 Airlifter ‘Delivered’ to Indian Officials"%5D. Defense News, 24 January 2013.%3C/ref%3E, it was officially accepted on 11 June 2013.,%3Cref name=Boe 1st C-17%3E%5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2697 "Boeing Transfers 1st C-17 to Indian Air Force"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615224604/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2697 %7Cdate=15 June 2013%7D%7D. Boeing, 11 June 2013.%3C/ref%3E, The second C-17 was delivered on 23 July 2013 and put into service immediately. IAF Chief of Air Staff ,%5B%5BNorman Anil Kumar Browne%7CNorman AK Browne%5D%5D, called it "a major component in the ,%5B%5BFuture of the Indian Air Force%7CIAF's modernization drive%5D%5D," while taking delivery of the aircraft at Boeing's Long Beach factory.,%3Cref name=tt23j13%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Ctitle=IAF gets its second C-17 %7Curl=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130724/main5.htm %7Cwork=The Tribune %7Cdate=23 July 2013 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725042613/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130724/main5.htm %7Carchive-date=25 July 2013 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, On 2 September 2013, the ,Skylords, squadron with three C-17s officially entered IAF service.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.armedforces-int.com/news/c-17-globemaster-iii-joins-indian-air-force.html "C-17 Globemaster III Joins Indian Air Force"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906052326/http://www.armedforces-int.com/news/c-17-globemaster-iii-joins-indian-air-force.html %7Cdate=6 September 2013%7D%7D. Armedforces-Int.com, 2 September 2013%3C/ref%3E, ,The ,Skylords, regularly fly missions within India, such as to high-altitude bases at ,%5B%5BLeh Air Force Station%7CLeh%5D%5D, and ,%5B%5BThoise%5D%5D,. The IAF first used the C-17 to transport an infantry battalion's equipment to ,%5B%5BINS Jarawa%7CPort Blair%5D%5D, on Andaman Islands on 1 July 2013.,%3Cref name=toi2j%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Curl=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-02/india/40328759 1 10-c-17-aircraft-rugged-c-17s-panagarh %7Carchive-url=https://archive.today/20130705144615/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-02/india/40328759 1 10-c-17-aircraft-rugged-c-17s-panagarh %7Curl-status=dead %7Carchive-date=5 July 2013 %7Cnewspaper=%5B%5BThe Times of India%5D%5D %7Ctitle=IAF's new C-17 flies non-stop to Andamans to supply Army equipment %7Cdate=2 July 2013%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news%7Ctitle=US, India Consider C-17 Exchange%7Curl=http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2013/July 2013/July 31 2013/US,-India-Consider-C-17-Exchange.aspx%7Cnewspaper=Air Force Magazine%7Cdate=31 July 2013%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524004221/http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2013/July 2013/July 31 2013/US,-India-Consider-C-17-Exchange.aspx%7Carchive-date=24 May 2014%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, Foreign deployments to date include ,%5B%5BTajikistan%5D%5D, in August 2013, and ,%5B%5BRwanda%5D%5D, to support ,%5B%5BIndian Army United Nations peacekeeping missions%7CIndian peacekeepers%5D%5D,.,%3Cref name=toi10sep%3E%7B%7Bcite news%7Ctitle=Globemasters deployed for overseas missions%7Curl=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Globemasters-deployed-for-overseas-missions/articleshow/22445215.cms%7Caccess-date=10 September 2013%7Cnewspaper=The Times of India%7Cdate=10 September 2013%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909234452/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Globemasters-deployed-for-overseas-missions/articleshow/22445215.cms%7Carchive-date=9 September 2013%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, One C-17 was used for transporting relief materials during ,%5B%5BCyclone Phailin%5D%5D,.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news%7Ctitle=IAF C-17 Globemaster makes debut in Cyclone Phailin rescue efforts%7Curl=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/iaf-c-17-globemaster-makes-debut-in-cyclone-phailin-rescue-efforts-update-cyclone-phailin-113101200360 1.html%7Cnewspaper=Business Standard%7Cdate=12 October 2013%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185558/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/iaf-c-17-globemaster-makes-debut-in-cyclone-phailin-rescue-efforts-update-cyclone-phailin-113101200360 1.html%7Carchive-date=29 October 2013%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,The sixth aircraft was received in July 2014.,%3Cref name="financialexpress.com"%3E%7B%7Bcite web%7Curl=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/indian-air-force-gets-sixth-c17-globemaster-with-vintage-package-in-belly/1274687%7Ctitle=Indian Air Force gets sixth C-17 Globemaster with vintage package in belly%7Clast=PTI%7Cwork=financialexpress.com%7Caccess-date=1 June 2016%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024001706/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/indian-air-force-gets-sixth-c17-globemaster-with-vintage-package-in-belly/1274687%7Carchive-date=24 October 2014%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, In June 2017, the U.S. Department of State approved the potential sale of one C-17 to India under a proposed $366 million U.S. Foreign Military Sale.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl=http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/government-india-c-17-transport-aircraft %7Ctitle=Government of India – C-17 Transport Aircraft %7Cwebsite=dsca.mil %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630203059/http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/government-india-c-17-transport-aircraft %7Carchive-date=30 June 2017 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, This aircraft, the last C-17 produced, increased the IAF's fleet to 11 C-17s.,%3Cref name="iaf-11-c17-dod.defense.gov"/%3E, In March 2018, a contract was awarded for completion by 22 August 2019.,%3Cref name="iaf-11-c17-dod.defense.gov"%3E%7B%7Bcite web%7Curl=https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1481376/%7Ctitle=India to receive final 'white-tail' C-17 – Jane's Contracts for March 30, 2018%7Cwebsite=DOD.defense.gov%7Caccess-date=14 November 2018%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114142035/https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1481376/%7Carchive-date=14 November 2018%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,=== Qatar ===, ,%5B%5BFile:Boeing C-17A Globemaster III Qatar Emiri Air Force A7-MAE - MSN F252 QA4 (10101360223).jpg%7Cthumb%7CQatar Emiri Air Force C-17%5D%5D, ,Boeing delivered Qatar's first C-17 on 11 August 2009 and the second on 10 September 2009 for the ,%5B%5BQatar Air Force%7CQatar Emiri Air Force%5D%5D,.,%3Cref%3EDrelling, Jerry and Lorenzo Cortes. %5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=832 "Boeing Delivers Qatar's 2nd C-17 Globemaster III."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916041418/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=832 %7Cdate=16 September 2009%7D%7D Boeing, 10 September 2009.%3C/ref%3E, Qatar received its third C-17 in 2012, and fourth C-17 was received on 10 December 2012.,%3Cref name="Boeing"%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl= http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2522 %7Ctitle= Boeing delivers Qatar Emiri Air Force's 4th C-17 Globemaster III %7Cpublisher= Boeing %7Cdate= 10 December 2012 %7Carchive-url= https://archive.today/20130128142052/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2522 %7Carchive-date= 28 January 2013 %7Curl-status= live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, In June 2013, ,The New York Times, reported that Qatar was allegedly using its C-17s to ship weapons from ,%5B%5BLibya%5D%5D, to the ,%5B%5BSyrian opposition%5D%5D, during the ,%5B%5BSyrian Civil War%7Ccivil war%5D%5D, via ,%5B%5BTurkey%5D%5D,.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Curl=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/22/world/africa/in-a-turnabout-syria-rebels-get-libyan-weapons.html?ref=world& r=0 %7Cwork=The New York Times %7Cfirst1=C. J. %7Clast1=Chivers %7Cfirst2=Eric %7Clast2=Schmitt %7Cfirst3=Mark %7Clast3=Mazzetti %7Ctitle=In Turnabout, Syria Rebels Get Libyan Weapons %7Cdate=21 June 2013 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724184924/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/22/world/africa/in-a-turnabout-syria-rebels-get-libyan-weapons.html?ref=world& r=0 %7Carchive-date=24 July 2016 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, On 15 June 2015, it was announced at the Paris Airshow that Qatar agreed to order four additional C-17s from the five remaining "white tail" C-17s to double Qatar's C-17 fleet.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Curl=http://www.janes.com/article/52269/paris-air-show-qatar-to-double-c-17-fleet %7Cwork=IHS Jane's 360 %7Cfirst1=J. %7Clast1=Binnie %7Ctitle=Paris Air Show: Qatar to double C-17 fleet %7Cdate=15 June 2015 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621061512/http://www.janes.com/article/52269/paris-air-show-qatar-to-double-c-17-fleet %7Carchive-date=21 June 2015 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, One Qatari C-17 bears the civilian markings of government-owned ,%5B%5BQatar Airways%5D%5D,, although the airplane is owned and operated by the Qatar Emiri Air Force. This is because some airports are closed to airplanes with military markings.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Ctitle=This Airforce C17 Wears The Qatar Airways Livery – Here’s Why %7Curl=https://simpleflying.com/airforce-c17-qatar-airways-livery/ %7Cpublisher=simpleflying.com %7Caccess-date=2 September 2021%7D%7D%7B%7Brs%7Cdate=September 2021%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,=== United Arab Emirates ===, ,In February 2009, the ,%5B%5BUnited Arab Emirates Air Force%5D%5D, agreed to buy four C-17s.,%3Cref name=UAE order%3ETrimble, Stephen. %5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/25/323068/uae-strengthens-airlift-capacity-with-c-130j-c-17-deals.html "UAE strengthens airlift capacity with C-130J, C-17 deals."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301153829/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/25/323068/uae-strengthens-airlift-capacity-with-c-130j-c-17-deals.html %7Cdate=1 March 2009%7D%7D Flight International, 25 February 2009.%3C/ref%3E, In January 2010, a contract was signed for six C-17s.,%3Cref name=Boe UAE contract%3E%5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1019 "Boeing, United Arab Emirates Announce Order for 6 C-17s"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111223743/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1019 %7Cdate=11 January 2010%7D%7D. Boeing, 6 January 2010.%3C/ref%3E, In May 2011, the first C-17 was handed over and the final was received in June 2012.,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/11/356496/pictures-uae-receives-first-c-17-transport.html "UAE receives first C-17 transport."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618161919/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/05/11/356496/pictures-uae-receives-first-c-17-transport.html %7Cdate=18 June 2011%7D%7D flightglobal.com, 11 May 2011.%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2300 "Boeing Delivers UAE Air Force and Air Defence's 6th C-17."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522192502/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2300 %7Cdate=22 May 2013%7D%7D Boeing, 20 June 2012.%3C/ref%3E, ,===Kuwait===, ,%5B%5BFile:KAF342 (22559708964).jpg%7Cthumb%7CA Kuwait Air Force C-17 in 2015%5D%5D, ,Kuwait requested the purchase of one C-17 in September 2010 and a second in April 2013 through the U.S.'s ,%5B%5BForeign Military Sales%5D%5D, (FMS) program.,%3Cref name="Kuwait – C-17 GLOBEMASTER III."%3E%5Bhttp://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/kuwait-c-17-globemaster-iii "Kuwait – C-17 GLOBEMASTER III."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426233329/http://dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/kuwait-c-17-globemaster-iii %7Cdate=26 April 2014%7D%7D U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, 17 April 2013.%3C/ref%3E, The nation ordered two C-17s; the first was delivered on 13 February 2014.,%3Cref name=1st C-17 Kuwait%3E%5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/Boeing-Delivers-Kuwait-Air-Force-s-1st-C-17-Globemaster-III "Boeing Delivers Kuwait Air Force's 1st C-17 Globemaster III"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302204314/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/Boeing-Delivers-Kuwait-Air-Force-s-1st-C-17-Globemaster-III %7Cdate=2 March 2014%7D%7D. Boeing, 13 February 2014.%3C/ref%3E, ,=== Proposed operators ===, ,In 2015, New Zealand's Minister of Defence, ,%5B%5BGerry Brownlee%5D%5D, was considering the purchase of two C-17s for the ,%5B%5BRoyal New Zealand Air Force%5D%5D, at an estimated cost of $600 million as a heavy air transport option.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news%7Curl=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c id=3&objectid=11433122%7Ctitle=Two new Boeing C-17s to cost NZDF $600m%7Cdate=15 April 2015%7Cvia=New Zealand Herald%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305001810/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c id=3&objectid=11433122%7Carchive-date=5 March 2016%7Curl-status=live%7Cnewspaper=NZ Herald%7Clast1=Davison%7Cfirst1=Isaac%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, However, the New Zealand Government eventually decided not to acquire the C-17.,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news%7Clast1=Cowlishaw%7Cfirst1=Shane%7Ctitle=Plans to replace Defence Force's 'rusting' Hercules fleet fails to get lift off%7Curl=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/74849069/Plans-to-replace-Defence-Forces-rusting-Hercules-fleet-fails-to-get-lift-off%7Cwork=stuff%7Cdate=13 December 2015%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005075148/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/74849069/Plans-to-replace-Defence-Forces-rusting-Hercules-fleet-fails-to-get-lift-off%7Carchive-date=5 October 2016%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E,%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web%7Ctitle=Consideration of a C-17 Air Transport Capability%7Curl=http://www.defence.govt.nz/reports-publications/consideration-of-c17-capability.html%7Cpublisher=New Zealand Ministry of Defence%7Caccess-date=9 July 2016%7Curl-status=dead%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813024634/http://www.defence.govt.nz/reports-publications/consideration-of-c17-capability.html%7Carchive-date=13 August 2016%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E, ,==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.%3Cref name=bids c17 fml/%3E%3Cref name=norton p93/%3E This upgrade was incorporated in production beginning in 2001 with Block 13 aircraft.%3Cref name=norton p93%3ENorton 2001, p. 93.%3C/ref%3E
- Block 16: This software/hardware upgrade was a major improvement of the improved Onboard Inert Gas-Generating System (OBIGGS II), a new weather radar, an improved stabilizer strut system and other avionics.%3Cref%3E%7B%7BCite web%7Ctitle=Boeing Frontiers Online%7Curl=https://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2005/september/i ids1.html%7Caccess-date=2020-11-12%7Cwebsite=www.boeing.com%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E
- Block 21: Adds %5B%5BAutomatic dependent surveillance – broadcast%7CADS-B%5D%5D capability, %5B%5BIFF Mark X%7CIFF%5D%5D modification, communication/navigation upgrades and improved flight management.%3Cref%3E%7B%7BCite web%7Ctitle=C-17 fleet Completes Block 21 Upgrade%7Curl=https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2068589/c-17-fleet-completes-block-21-upgrade/%7Caccess-date=2020-11-12%7Cwebsite=Air Force Life Cycle Management Center%7Clanguage=en-US%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E
C-17B: A proposed tactical airlifter version with double-slotted flaps, an additional main landing gear on the center fuselage, more powerful engines, and other systems for shorter landing and take-off distances.%3Cref%3ETrimble, Stephen. %5Bhttps://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-offers-c-17b-as-piecemeal-upgrade-314814/ "Boeing offers C-17B as piecemeal upgrade."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207015031/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-offers-c-17b-as-piecemeal-upgrade-314814/ %7Cdate=7 December 2017%7D%7D Flight International, 19 August 2008.%3C/ref%3E Boeing offered the C-17B to the U.S. military in 2007 for carrying the Army's %5B%5BFuture Combat Systems%5D%5D (FCS) vehicles and other equipment.%3Cref%3ETrimble, Stephen. %5Bhttp://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/10/16/218272/boeing-offers-c-17b-to-us-army.html "Boeing offers C-17B to US Army."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704213619/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/10/16/218272/boeing-offers-c-17b-to-us-army.html %7Cdate=4 July 2008%7D%7D Flight International, 16 October 2007.%3C/ref%3E
MD-17: Proposed variant for civilian operators,%3Cref%3ESillia, George. %5Bhttp://www.boeing.com/news/releases/1997/news release 970828n.html "MD-17 Receives FAA Certification."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609085801/http://boeing.com/news/releases/1997/news release 970828n.html %7Cdate=9 June 2007%7D%7D Boeing, 28 August 1997.%3C/ref%3E later redesignated as BC-17 after 1997 merger.%3Cref%3ESaling, Bob. %5Bhttp://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2000/news release 000928a.html "Boeing Is Undisputed Leader In Providing Air Cargo Capacity (Boeing proposes BC-17X)."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114120746/http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2000/news release 000928a.html %7Cdate=14 January 2011%7D%7D Boeing 28 September 2000.%3C/ref%3E, ,==Operators==,

,%5B%5BFile:C-17 operators.svg%7Cthumb%7Cupright=2%7CMap of countries that operate the C-17 Globemaster III (highlighted in blue)%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BFile:Pzh-2000 inside of a C-17.jpg%7Cthumb%7CU.S. Air Force C-17 transporting a Dutch %5B%5BPanzerhaubitze 2000%7CPzH 2000%5D%5D self-propelled howitzer to Afghanistan, circa 2006%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BFile:Medevac mission, Balad Air Base, Iraq.jpg%7Cthumb%7CA C-17 in its aeromedical evacuation configuration%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BFile:82nd Airborne paratroopers in a C-17.jpg%7Cthumb%7C%5B%5BU.S. Army%5D%5D paratroopers seated in a C-17 as it maneuvers to a %5B%5Bdrop zone%5D%5D for a mass-attack airdrop%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BFile:C-17 carrying passengers out of Afghanistan.jpg%7Cthumb%7CA C-17 evacuating 823 passengers out of Kabul on 15 August 2021%5D%5D, ,%7B%7BListen %7C image = %5B%5BFile:Video Camera Icon.png%7C50px%5D%5D %7C help = no %7C filename = C-17 Airdrop 4 Humvees + 50 Paratroopers.ogv %7C title = C-17 conducting airborne operation %7C description = The %5B%5B517th Airlift Squadron%7C517th Airlift Sq%5D%5D airdrops %5B%5BHumvee%7CHMMWVs%5D%5D and %5B%5Bparatrooper%5D%5Ds from 3rd Bn, %5B%5B509th Infantry Regiment (United States)%7C509th Inf Reg%5D%5D, %5B%5B4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division%7C4th IBCT(A), 25th Infantry Division%5D%5D %7C filename2 = C-17 LVADS with SBT 20.ogv %7C title2 = U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy MCADS %7C description2= A C-17 aircrew conduct Maritime Craft Aerial Deployment System (MCADS) exercise with %5B%5BSpecial warfare combatant-craft crewmen%7CSpecial Boat Team 20%5D%5D %7C pos = right %7D%7D, ,;%7B%7BAUS%7D%7D, ,* %5B%5BRoyal Australian Air Force%5D%5D – 8 C-17A ERs in service as of Jan. 2018.%3Cref name=WAF 2018 /%3E%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Ctitle=Eighth and final RAAF C-17 delivered %7Cwork=Australian Aviation %7Curl=http://australianaviation.com.au/2015/11/eighth-and-final-raaf-c-17-delivered/ %7Cdate=4 November 2015 %7Caccess-date=6 May 2018 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117175754/http://australianaviation.com.au/2015/11/eighth-and-final-raaf-c-17-delivered/ %7Carchive-date=17 November 2015 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E

- %5B%5BNo. 36 Squadron RAAF%7CNo. 36 Squadron%5D%5D%3Cref name=raaf newspaper 20060323%3E%5Bhttp://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/4804/topstories/story02.htm "Master plan for C-17s."%5D %7B%7Bwebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060518063754/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/raafnews/editions/4804/topstories/story02.htm %7Cdate=18 May 2006%7D%7D Air Force News, Volume 48, No. 4, 23 March 2006.%3C/ref%3E,

,;%7B%7BCAN%7D%7D, ,* %5B%5BRoyal Canadian Air Force%5D%5D – 5 CC-177 (C-17A ER) aircraft in use as of Jan. 2018.%3Cref name=WAF 2018%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Clast=Hoyle %7Cfirst=Craig %7Curl=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-world-air-forces-maintaining-strength-443655/ %7Ctitle=World Air Forces 2018 %7Cwork=Flightglobal Insight %7Cdate=1 December 2017 %7Caccess-date=6 February 2018 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202153055/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-world-air-forces-maintaining-strength-443655/ %7Carchive-date=2 December 2017 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E

- %5B%5BNo. 429 Squadron RCAF%7C429 Transport Squadron%5D%5D, %5B%5BCFB Trenton%5D%5D%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view news e.asp?id=2389 "Canada's New Government Re-Establishes Squadron to Support C-17 Aircraft."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528224541/http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view news e.asp?id=2389 %7Cdate=28 May 2008%7D%7D Canadian Department of National Defence, 18 July 2007.%3C/ref%3E,

,;%7B%7BIND%7D%7D, ,* %5B%5BIndian Air Force%5D%5D – 11 C-17s as of Aug. 2019.%3Cref name=WAF 2018 /%3E%3Cref name="iaf-11-c17-dod.defense.gov"/%3E

- %5B%5BNo. 81 Squadron IAF%7CNo. 81 Squadron%5D%5D (Skylords), %5B%5BHindon Air Force Station%7CHindon AFS%5D%5D%3Cref name ="skylordform"/%3E,

,;%7B%7BKWT%7D%7D, ,* %5B%5BKuwait Air Force%5D%5D – 2 C-17s as of Jan. 2018%3Cref name=WAF 2018 /%3E, ,;Europe, ,* The multi-nation %5B%5BNATO Strategic Airlift Capability%7CStrategic Airlift Capability%5D%5D %5B%5BHeavy Airlift Wing%5D%5D – 3 C-17s in service as of Jan. 2018,%3Cref name=WAF 2018 /%3E%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=764 "Multinational Alliance's 1st Boeing C-17 Joins Heavy Airlift Wing in Hungary."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904150053/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=764 %7Cdate=4 September 2009%7D%7D Boeing, 27 July 2009.%3C/ref%3E including 1 C-17 contributed by the USAF;%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=870 "3rd Boeing C-17 Joins 12-Nation Strategic Airlift Capability Initiative."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919085035/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=870 %7Cdate=19 September 2011%7D%7D Boeing, 7 October 2009.%3C/ref%3E based at %5B%5BPápa Air Base%5D%5D, Hungary., ,;%7B%7BQAT%7D%7D, ,*%5B%5BQatari Emiri Air Force%5D%5D – 8 C-17As in use as of Jan. 2018%3Cref name=WAF 2018 /%3E%3Cref name="Purchase of Four C-17s"%3E%5Bhttp://boeing.mediaroom.com/2015-06-15-Boeing-Qatar-Confirm-Purchase-of-Four-C-17s "Boeing, Qatar Confirm Purchase of Four C-17s."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720195027/http://boeing.mediaroom.com/2015-06-15-Boeing-Qatar-Confirm-Purchase-of-Four-C-17s %7Cdate=20 July 2015%7D%7D Boeing, 15 June 2015.%3C/ref%3E, ,;%7B%7BUAE%7D%7D, ,*%5B%5BUnited Arab Emirates Air Force%5D%5D – 8 C-17As in operation as of Jan. 2018%3Cref name=WAF 2018 /%3E%3Cref name="World Defence News"%3E%5Bhttp://worlddefencenews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/united-arab-emirates-announce-purchase.html "United Arab Emirates announce purchase of two C-17 airlifters and nine AW139 helicopters."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720215650/http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/united-arab-emirates-announce-purchase.html %7Cdate=20 July 2015%7D%7D World Defence News, 26 February 2015.%3C/ref%3E, ,;%7B%7BUK%7D%7D, ,* %5B%5BRoyal Air Force%5D%5D – 8 C-17A ERs in use as of Jan. 2018%3Cref name=WAF 2018 /%3E%3Cref%3EWall, Robert. %5Bhttp://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/asd/2012/02/09/05.xml&headline=U.K. Adds Eighth C-17 "Aerospace Daily and Defense Report: U.K. Adds Eighth C-17."%5D Aviation Week, 9 February 2012. Retrieved: 10 February 2012.%3C/ref%3E

- %5B%5BNo. 99 Squadron RAF%7CNo. 99 Squadron%5D%5D, %5B%5BRAF Brize Norton%5D%5D,

,;%7B%7BUSA%7D%7D, ,* %5B%5BUnited States Air Force%5D%5D – 222 C-17s in service %7B%7Bas of%7C2018%7C1%7Clc=on%7D%7D%3Cref name=WAF 2018 /%3E (157 Active, 47 Air National Guard, 18 Air Force Reserve)%3Cref name=AF fact/%3E

- %5B%5B60th Air Mobility Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BTravis Air Force Base%5D%5D, California
  - %5B%5B21st Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B62d Airlift Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BMcChord AFB%5D%5D, Washington
  - %5B%5B4th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B7th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B8th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B10th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D - (2003–2016)
- %5B%5B305th Air Mobility Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BJoint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst%5D%5D, New Jersey
  - %5B%5B6th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B385th Air Expeditionary Group%5D%5D – %5B%5BAl Udeid Air Base%5D%5D, Qatar
  - %5B%5B816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B436th Airlift Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BDover Air Force Base%5D%5D, Delaware
  - %5B%5B3d Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B437th Airlift Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BCharleston Air Force Base%5D%5D, South Carolina
  - %5B%5B14th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B15th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B16th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B17th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D - (1993–2015)
- %5B%5B3d Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BElmendorf Air Force Base%5D%5D, Alaska
  - %5B%5B517th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D (Associate)
- %5B%5B15th Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BHickam Air Force Base%5D%5D, Hawaii
  - %5B%5B535th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B97th Air Mobility Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BAltus AFB%5D%5D, Oklahoma
  - %5B%5B58th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B412th Test Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BEdwards AFB%5D%5D, California
  - %5B%5B418th Flight Test Squadron%5D%5D
%5B%5BAir Force Reserve%5D%5D
- %5B%5B315th Airlift Wing%5D%5D (Associate) – %5B%5BCharleston AFB%5D%5D, South Carolina
  - %5B%5B300th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B317th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B701st Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B349th Air Mobility Wing%5D%5D (Associate) – Travis AFB, California
  - %5B%5B301st Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B445th Airlift Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BWright-Patterson AFB%5D%5D, Ohio
  - %5B%5B89th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B446th Airlift Wing%5D%5D (Associate) – McChord AFB, Washington
  - %5B%5B97th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B313th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B728th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B452d Air Mobility Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BMarch ARB%5D%5D, California
  - %5B%5B729th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B507th Air Refueling Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BTinker AFB%5D%5D, Oklahoma
  - %5B%5B730th Air Mobility Training Squadron%5D%5D (Altus AFB)
- %5B%5B512th Airlift Wing%5D%5D (Associate) – Dover AFB, Delaware
  - %5B%5B326th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B514th Air Mobility Wing%5D%5D (Associate) – Joint Base McGuire–Dix–Lakehurst, New Jersey
  - %5B%5B732d Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B911th Airlift Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BPittsburgh Air Reserve Station%5D%5D, Pennsylvania
  - %5B%5B758th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
%5B%5BAir National Guard%5D%5D
- %5B%5B105th Airlift Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BStewart ANGB%5D%5D, New York
  - %5B%5B137th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B145th Airlift Wing%5D%5D%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web%7Curl=https://www.145aw.ang.af.mil/%7Ctitle=Home of the 145th Airlift Wing%7Cwebsite=www.145aw.ang.af.mil%7Caccess-date=22 April 2019%7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422124321/https://www.145aw.ang.af.mil/%7Carchive-date=22 April 2019%7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E – %5B%5BCharlotte Air National Guard Base%5D%5D, North Carolina
  - %5B%5B156th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B154th Wing%5D%5D – Hickam AFB, Hawaii
  - %5B%5B204th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D (Associate)
- %5B%5B164th Airlift Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BMemphis Air National Guard Base%7CMemphis ANGB%5D%5D, Tennessee
  - %5B%5B155th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B167th Airlift Wing%5D%5D – %5B%5BShepherd Field Air National Guard Base%7CShepherd Field ANGB%5D%5D, %5B%5BWest Virginia%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B167th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B172d Airlift Wing%5D%5D – Allen C. Thompson Field ANGB, %5B%5BMississippi%5D%5D
  - %5B%5B183d Airlift Squadron%5D%5D
- %5B%5B176th Wing%5D%5D – Elmendorf AFB, Alaska
  - %5B%5B144th Airlift Squadron%5D%5D, ,==Accidents and notable incidents %3Cspan id="Accidents and notable incidents"%3E%3C/span%3E==,

,%3C!-- Add new items by date of notable incident/accident --%3E, ,* On 10 September 1998, a USAF C-17 (AF Serial No.96-0006) delivered %5B%5BKeiko (orca)%7CKeiko%5D%5D the whale to %5B%5BVestmannaeyjar Airport%7CVestmannaeyjar%5D%5D, Iceland, a %7B%7Bconvert%7C3800%7Cft%7Cm%7Cadj=on%7D%7D runway, and suffered a landing gear failure during landing. There were no injuries, but the landing gear sustained major damage. After receiving temporary repairs, it flew to a nearby city for further repairs.%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.mcchordairmuseum.org/REV B OUR HISTORY NAME C-17 96-0006 SP OF BERLIN.htm "C-17A S/N 96-0006."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604032410/http://www.mcchordairmuseum.org/REV B OUR HISTORY NAME C-17 96-0006 SP OF BERLIN.htm %7Cdate=4 June 2008%7D%7D McChord Air Museum. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.%3C/ref%3E%3Cref%3E%5Bhttps://archive.today/20120529185612/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi 6712/is 24 203/ai n28736153/ "C-17 Accident During Whale Lift Due To Design Flaw."%5D findarticles.com. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.%3C/ref%3E

On 10 December 2003, a USAF C-17 (AF Serial No. 98-0057) was hit by a %5B%5Bsurface-to-air missile%5D%5D after take-off from %5B%5BBaghdad International Airport%7CBaghdad%5D%5D, %5B%5BIraq%5D%5D. One engine was disabled and the aircraft returned for a safe landing.%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20031209-0 "Information on 98-0057 incident."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528170907/http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20031209-0 %7Cdate=28 May 2008%7D%7D Aviation-Safety.net. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.%3C/ref%3E It was repaired and returned to service.%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.airliners.net/open.file/0614580/M/ "C-17, tail 98-0057 image from 2004."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601214059/http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0614580/M/ %7Cdate=1 June 2009%7D%7D airliners.net. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.%3C/ref%3E
On 6 August 2005, a USAF C-17 (AF Serial No. 01-0196) ran off the runway at %5B%5BBagram Air Base%5D%5D in Afghanistan while attempting to land, destroying its nose and main landing gear.%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/aug2005/a080905wm5.html "Bagram Runway Reopens After C-17 Incident."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218023330/http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/aug2005/a080905wm5.html %7Cdate=18 February 2008%7D%7D DefendAmerica News Article. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.%3C/ref%3E After two months to make it flightworthy, a test pilot flew the aircraft to Boeing's Long Beach facility as the temporary repairs imposed performance limitations.%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2006/february/i ids1.html "The Big Fix."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528143600/http://www.boeing.com/news/frontiers/archive/2006/february/i ids1.html %7Cdate=28 May 2008%7D%7D Boeing Frontiers Online, February 2006.%3C/ref%3E In October 2006, it returned to service following repairs.,

,%5B%5BFile:C-17A 06-0002 No-wheels Landing Bagram Afghanistan lg.jpg%7Cthumb%7CC-17 on the runway at %5B%5BBagram Air Base%5D%5D, %5B%5BAfghanistan%5D%5D, on 30 January 2009 after landing with landing gear retracted%5D%5D, ,* On 30 January 2009, a USAF C-17 (AF Serial No. 96-0002 – "Spirit of the Air Force") made a %5B%5Bbelly landing%7Cgear-up landing%5D%5D at %5B%5BBagram Air Base%5D%5D.%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123133880 "Bagram Air Base runway recovery."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211095015/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123133880 %7Cdate=11 February 2009%7D%7D US Air Force, 4 February 2009.%3C/ref%3E It was ferried from Bagram AB, making several stops along the way, to Boeing's Long Beach plant for extensive repairs. The USAF Aircraft Accident Investigation Board concluded the cause was the crew's failure to follow the pre-landing checklist and lower the %5B%5Blanding gear%5D%5D.%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Curl=http://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/147283/bagram-c-17-accident-investigation-board-complete/ %7Ctitle=Bagram C-17 Accident Investigation Board complete %7Cwork=%5B%5BAir Mobility Command%5D%5D %7Cdate=7 May 2009 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902170851/http://www.amc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/147283/bagram-c-17-accident-investigation-board-complete/ %7Carchive-date=2 September 2017 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E

On 28 July 2010, a USAF C-17 (AF Serial No. 00-0173 – "Spirit of the Aleutians") %5B%5B2010 Alaska C-17 crash%7Ccrashed%5D%5D at %5B%5BElmendorf Air Force Base%5D%5D, Alaska, while practicing for the 2010 %5B%5BArctic Thunder Air Show%5D%5D, killing all four aboard.%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Curl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5x9AL 9hdA %7C archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217161645/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5x9AL 9hdA&gl=US&hl=en%7C archive-date=2020-02-17%7Ctitle=Alaska C-17 Airshow Rehearsal Tragedy 2010 %7Cwork=%5B%5BYouTube%5D%5D %7Clast=worldmediacollective %7Cdate=9 September 2013%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E%3Cref name="ElmendorfAIB"%3E%5Bhttp://www.pacaf.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-101214-048.pdf USAF Aircraft Accident Investigation Board Report for Incident of 28 July 2010%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130304123146/http://www.pacaf.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-101214-048.pdf %7Cdate=4 March 2013%7D%7D, retrieved 8 July 2017.%3C/ref%3E It crashed near a railroad, disrupting rail operations.%3Cref name=adn20100729%3E%5Bhttp://www.adn.com/2010/07/29/1387215/fatal-c-17-crash-also-damaged.html "Arctic Thunder to continue after 4 died."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802044638/http://www.adn.com/2010/07/29/1387215/fatal-c-17-crash-also-damaged.html %7Cdate=2 August 2010%7D%7D adn.com, 30 July 2010.%3C/ref%3E A military investigation found pilot error to have caused a %5B%5Bstall (flight)%7Cstall%5D%5D.%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp://www.cnn.com/2010/US/12/11/alaska.plane.crash/ "Pilot error cause of Alaska cargo plane crash, report concludes."%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012173459/http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/12/11/alaska.plane.crash/ %7Cdate=12 October 2015%7D%7D CNN, 11 December 2010.%3C/ref%3E This is the C-17's only fatal crash and the only %5B%5BHull-loss%7Chull-loss incident%5D%5D.%3Cref name=adn20100729/%3E
On 23 January 2012, a USAF C-17 (AF Serial No. 07-7189), assigned to the %5B%5B437th Airlift Wing%5D%5D, %5B%5BJoint Base Charleston%5D%5D, South Carolina, landed on runway 34R at %5B%5BForward Operating Base Shank%5D%5D, %5B%5BAfghanistan%5D%5D. The crew did not realize the required stopping distance exceeded the runway's length thus were unable to stop. It came to rest approximately 700 feet from the runway's end upon an embankment, causing major structural damage but no injuries. After 9 months of repairs to make airworthy, the C-17 flew to Long Beach. It returned to service at a reported cost of $69.4 million.%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl=https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=145343 %7Ctitle=ASN Aircraft incident 23-JAN-2012 McDonnell Douglas C-17A Globemaster III 07-7189 %7Cfirst=Harro %7Clast=Ranter %7Cwebsite=aviation-safety.net %7Caccess-date=13 December 2016 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220140336/https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=145343 %7Carchive-date=20 December 2016 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Curl=http://www.flugzeug-bild.de/bild/flughaefen~deutschland~stuttgart-str/96607/07-7189-boeing-c-17a-globemaster-iii-04052016.html %7Ctitle=07-7189 Boeing C-17A Globemaster III 04.05.2016 %7Cwebsite=Flugzeug-bild.de %7Caccess-date=13 December 2016 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220214606/http://www.flugzeug-bild.de/bild/flughaefen~deutschland~stuttgart-str/96607/07-7189-boeing-c-17a-globemaster-iii-04052016.html %7Carchive-date=20 December 2016 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E
On 20 July 2012, a USAF C-17 of the %5B%5B305th Air Mobility Wing%5D%5D, flying from %5B%5BMcGuire AFB%5D%5D, %5B%5BNew Jersey%5D%5D to %5B%5BMacDill Air Force Base%5D%5D in %5B%5BTampa, Florida%5D%5D mistakenly landed at nearby %5B%5BPeter O. Knight Airport%5D%5D. The landing followed an extended duration flight from Europe to Southwest Asia to embark military passengers before returning to the U.S. There were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft or the runway. It took off a short time later with ease from Knight's 3,580-foot runway to MacDill AFB. The USAF attributed the mistaken landing to pilot error and fatigue; both airfields' main runways were only a few miles apart and shared the same magnetic heading.%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Curl= https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/air-force-c-17-globemaster-iii-makes-surprise-landing-at-peter-o-knight/1241349 %7Ctitle= Air Force C-17 Globemaster III makes surprise landing at Peter O. Knight Airport on Davis Islands %7Clast1= Ryan %7Cfirst1= Patty %7Cdate= 20 July 2012 %7Cwork= %5B%5BTampa Bay Times%5D%5D %7Clocation= Tampa Bay %7Carchive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190331043016/http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/air-force-c-17-globemaster-iii-makes-surprise-landing-at-peter-o-knight/1241349 %7Carchive-date= 31 March 2019 %7Curl-status= dead %7D%7D%3C/ref%3E
On 9 April 2021, USAF C-17 10-0223 suffered a fire in its undercarriage after landing at %5B%5BCharleston AFB%5D%5D following a flight from %5B%5BRAF Mildenhall%5D%5D, United Kingdom. The fire spread to the fuselage before it was extinguished.%3Cref name=ASN090421%3E%7B%7BCite web %7Curl=https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20210409-0 %7Ctitle=10-0223 Accident %7Cpublisher=Aviation Safety Network %7Caccessdate=11 April 2021%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E,

,%3C!-- Note that the 16 August 2021 event where a USAF C-17 took off from airport in Kabul, Afghanistan with people hanging on outside is covered in US Air Force section above. --%3E, ,==Specifications (C-17A)==, ,%7B%7Bmultiple image %7Cdirection = vertical %7Cwidth = 220 %7Cimage1 = C17 Reverse Thrust.JPG %7Ccaption1 = A C-17 creates a visible %5B%5Bvortex%5D%5D while using %5B%5Bthrust reversal%5D%5D to push the aircraft backwards on a runway. %7Calt1 = Vehicles and personnel unloading supplies from three gray C-17s parked together for victims of Hurricane Katrina. %7Cimage2 = C-17 Globemaster III 6.jpg %7Ccaption2 = A C-17 performs a combat off-load of pallets in Afghanistan, June 2009. %7Calt2 = %3C!-- Please do not add more images here as it disrupts the spacing --%3E %7D%7D, ,%7B%7BAircraft specs %7Cref=Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory,%3Cref name="Brassey's96-97"%3E%7B%7Bcite book %7Ceditor1-last=Taylor %7Ceditor1-first=Michael J.H. %7Ctitle=Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory, 1996/97 %7Cyear=1996 %7Cpublisher=Brassey's %7Clocation=London, UK %7Cisbn=1857531981 %7Cpages=%5Bhttps://archive.org/details/brasseysworldair0000unse/page/256 256–257%5D %7Cedition=1st UK %7Curl=https://archive.org/details/brasseysworldair0000unse/page/256%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E U.S. Air Force fact sheet,%3Cref name=AF fact%3E%7B%7Bcite news %7Curl=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1529726/c-17-globemaster-iii/ %7Ctitle=C-17 Globemaster III %7Cwork=%5B%5BUnited States Air Force%5D%5D %7Cdate=14 May 2018 %7Caccess-date=8 August 2018 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808203032/https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1529726/c-17-globemaster-iii/ %7Carchive-date=8 August 2018 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E Boeing%3Cref name=Boeing bg%3E%5Bhttp://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/c17/index.htm "Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Overview"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308020532/http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/c17/index.htm %7Cdate=8 March 2013%7D%7D. Boeing, May 2008.%3C/ref%3E%3Cref name=Boeing specs%3E%5Bhttp://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/c17/c17spec.htm "C-17 Globemaster III, Technical Specifications"%5D %7B%7BWebarchive%7Curl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305022900/http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/c17/c17spec.htm %7Cdate=5 March 2009%7D%7D. Boeing. Retrieved: 2 August 2012.%3C/ref%3E %7Cprime units?=kts %3C!-- General characteristics --%3E %7Ccrew=3 (2 pilots, 1 loadmaster) %7Ccapacity=%7B%7Bcvt%7C170900%7Clb%7C0%7D%7D of cargo distributed at max over 18 %5B%5B463L master pallet%5D%5Ds or a mix of palletized cargo and vehicles%3C!-- %3Cbr /%3E not needed with bullets --%3E

- 102 paratroopers or
- 134 troops with palletized and sidewall seats or
- 54 troops with sidewall seats (allows 13 cargo pallets) only or
- 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients and medical attendants or
- Cargo, such as one %5B%5BM1 Abrams%5D%5D tank, two %5B%5BM2 Bradley%5D%5D armored vehicles, or three %5B%5BStryker%5D%5D armored vehicles %7Clength ft=174

%7Clength in= %7Clength note= %7Cspan ft=169 %7Cspan in=9.6 %7Cspan note= %7Cheight ft=55 %7Cheight in=1 %7Cheight note= %7Cwing area sqft=3800 %7Cwing area note= %7Caspect ratio=7.165 %7Cairfoil=root: DLBA 142; tip: DLBA 147%3Cref name="Selig"%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Clast1=Lednicer %7Cfirst1=David %7Ctitle=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage %7Curl=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html %7Cwebsite=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu %7Caccess-date=16 April 2019 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326174850/https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html %7Carchive-date=26 March 2019 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E %7Cempty weight lb=282500 %7Cempty weight note= %7Cgross weight kg= %7Cgross weight lb= %7Cgross weight note= %7Cmax takeoff weight kg= %7Cmax takeoff weight lb=585000 %7Cmax takeoff weight note= %7Cfuel capacity=%7B%7Bcvt%7C35546%7CUSgal%7Cimpgal l%7D%7D %7Cmore general= %3C!-- Powerplant --%3E %7Ceng1 number=4 %7Ceng1 name=%5B%5BPratt & Whitney F117-PW-100%5D%5D %7Ceng1 type=%5B%5Bturbofan%5D%5D engines %7Ceng1 kw=%3C!-- prop engines --%3E %7Ceng1 hp=%3C!-- prop engines --%3E %7Ceng1 shp=%3C!-- prop engines --%3E %7Ceng1 kn=%3C!-- jet/rocket engines --%3E %7Ceng1 lbf=40440 %7Ceng1 note= %3C!-- Performance --%3E %7Cmax speed kts= %7Cmax speed note= %7Cmax speed mach= %7Ccruise speed kts=450 %7Ccruise speed note=(Mach 0.74–0.79) %7Cstall speed kts= %7Cstall speed note= %7Cnever exceed speed kts= %7Cnever exceed speed note= %7Cminimum control speed kts= %7Cminimum control speed note= %7Crange nmi=2420 %7Crange note= with %7B%7Bcvt%7C157000%7Clb%7C0%7D%7D payload %7Ccombat range nmi= %7Ccombat range note= %7Cferry range nmi=6230%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Ctitle=C-17 Globemaster III %7Curl=https://www.boeing.com/defense/c-17-globemaster-iii/ %7Caccess-date=6 February 2022%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E %7Cferry range note= %7Cendurance=%3C!-- if range unknown --%3E %7Cceiling ft=45000 %7Cceiling note= %7Cg limits=%3C!-- aerobatic --%3E %7Croll rate=%3C!-- aerobatic --%3E %7Cclimb rate ftmin= %7Cclimb rate note= %7Ctime to altitude= %7Cwing loading lb/sqft=150 %7Cwing loading note= %7Cfuel consumption lb/mi= %7Cthrust/weight=0.277 (minimum) %7Cmore performance=%3Cbr/%3E

Takeoff run at MTOW: %7B%7Bconvert%7C8200%7Cft%7Cm%7Cabbr=on%7C0%7D%7D
Takeoff run at %7B%7Bcvt%7C395000%7Clb%7C0%7D%7D: %7B%7Bconvert%7C3000%7Cft%7Cm%7Cabbr=on%7C0%7D%7D%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite web %7Cauthor1=U. S. Government Accountability Office %7Ctitle=C-17 Takeoff and Landing Distances (NSIAD-93-288R) %7Curl=https://www.gao.gov/products/NSIAD-93-288R %7Cdate=14 October 1993 %7Caccess-date=31 March 2019 %7Carchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331033029/https://www.gao.gov/products/NSIAD-93-288R %7Carchive-date=31 March 2019 %7Curl-status=live%7D%7D%3C/ref%3E
Landing distance: %7B%7Bconvert%7C3500%7Cft%7Cm%7Cabbr=on%7C0%7D%7D with maximum payload%3Cref name=AF fact/%3E

%7Cavionics=* AlliedSignal AN/APS-133(V) weather and mapping radar %7D%7D, ,==See also==, ,%7B%7BPortal%7CAviation%7D%7D, ,%7B%7Baircontent %7Csee also= %3C!-- other related articles that have not already linked: --%3E

%7B%7Bannotated link%7CAirhead%7D%7D
%7B%7Bannotated link%7CAirlift%7D%7D

%7Crelated= %3C!-- designs developed into or from this aircraft: --%3E

%7B%7Bannotated link%7CMcDonnell Douglas YC-15%7D%7D

%7Csimilar aircraft= %3C!-- aircraft that are of similar Role, Era, and Capability this design: --%3E

%7B%7Bannotated link%7CAntonov An-124 Ruslan%7D%7D
%7B%7Bannotated link%7CAirbus A400M Atlas%7D%7D
%7B%7Bannotated link%7CAntonov An-22%7D%7D
%7B%7Bannotated link%7CIlyushin Il-76%7D%7D
%7B%7Bannotated link%7CKawasaki C-2%7D%7D
%7B%7Bannotated link%7CLockheed C-5 Galaxy%7D%7D
%7B%7Bannotated link%7CXi'an Y-20%7D%7D

%7Clists= %3C!-- Relevant lists that this aircraft appears in. --%3E

%5B%5BList of active Canadian military aircraft%5D%5D
%5B%5BList of active United Kingdom military aircraft%5D%5D
%5B%5BList of active United States military aircraft%5D%5D

%3C!-- See %5B%5BWP:Air/PC%5D%5D for more explanation of these fields. --%3E %7D%7D, ,==References==, ,%7B%7BReflist%7D%7D, ,===Bibliography===, ,%7B%7BRefbegin%7C40em%7D%7D, ,* Bonny, Danny, Barry Fryer and Martyn Swann. AMARC MASDC III, The Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, 1997–2005. Surrey, UK: British Aviation Research Group, 2006. %7B%7BISBN%7C978-0-906339-07-7%7D%7D.

Department of Defense. %5Bhttps://books.google.com/books?id=22pQ2jPcRzsC Kosovo/Operation Allied Force After-Action Report%5D, DIANE Publishing; 31 January 2000.%7B%7BISBN%7C978-1-4289-8107-2%7D%7D.
Gertler, Jeremiah. %5Bhttps://books.google.com/books?id=wyiLKkmVFHcC "Air Force C-17 Aircraft Procurement: Background and Issues for Congress."%5D Congressional Research Service,. DIANE Publishing; 22 December 2009. %7B%7BISBN%7C978-1-4379-2801-3%7D%7D.
Kennedy, Betty R. Globemaster III: Acquiring the C-17. McConnell AFB, Kansas: Air Mobility Command Office of History, 2004.
McLaughlin, Andrew. "Big Mover." Canberra: Australian Aviation (Phantom Media), September 2008.
Norton, Bill. Boeing C-17 Globemaster III (Warbird Tech, Vol. 30). North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2001. %7B%7BISBN%7C1-58007-040-X%7D%7D.,

,%3C!-- * C-17 aircraft: cost of spare parts higher than justified, U.S. General Accounting Office, 1996. ASIN B00010S6F0.

C-17 aircraft: cost of spare parts higher than justified, U.S. General Accounting Office, 2011. %7B%7BISBN%7C978-1-240-73629-4%7D%7D. --%3E,

,%7B%7BRefend%7D%7D, ,== External links ==, ,%7B%7BCommons category%7D%7D, ,* %7B%7BOfficial website%7D%7D

%5Bhttps://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/1529726/c-17-globemaster-iii/ USAF C-17 fact sheet%5D
%5Bhttp://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/aircraft-current/cc-177.page RCAF CC-177 Globemaster III page%5D
%5Bhttps://web.archive.org/web/20180911114518/https://www.airhistory.net/resources/c-17.php Full C-17 production list, including manufacturer serial numbers (c/n)%5D, ,%7B%7BMcDD aircraft%7D%7D,

,%7B%7BBoeing support aircraft%7D%7D, ,%7B%7BUS transport aircraft%7D%7D, ,%7B%7BCF aircraft%7D%7D, ,%7B%7BADF aircraft designations%7D%7D, ,%7B%7BAuthority control%7D%7D, ,%7B%7BDEFAULTSORT:Boeing C-017 Globemaster III%7D%7D, ,%5B%5BCategory:Boeing military aircraft%7CC-1017 Globemaster III%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BCategory:McDonnell Douglas aircraft%7CC-017 Globemaster III%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BCategory:1990s United States military transport aircraft%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BCategory:Quadjets%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BCategory:High-wing aircraft%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BCategory:T-tail aircraft%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BCategory:Articles containing video clips%5D%5D, ,%5B%5BCategory:Aircraft first flown in 1991%5D%5D|C-17]] which is currently known in RAF service as the "C-17 Globemaster III" ) the UK armed services have used the US designation rather than assigning their own designation.^{[citation needed]}

Notes and references

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c Carole Hough (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Names and Naming. pp. 607–609.
^ Vickers names starting with W were of geodesic construction.
^ Brew, Boulton Paul Aircraft
^ Allison, George (18 June 2019), UK signs £72.5m contract for MQ-9A Reaper support to 2021, UK Defence Journal, retrieved 19 June 2019
^ Hawker Siddeley/BAe Harrier, Denis J. Calvert, 2012, Haynes Publishing, ISBN 978 0 85733 079 6
^ Morgan and Shacklady 2000, p. 593.
^ History Gallery 1950–1959 – RAF website Archived 2 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 6 December 2010.
^ RAF Timeline 1950 -1959 – RAF website Archived 25 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 6 December 2010.
^ Jane's Defence Weekly, 22 December 2010.
^ RAF Museum Aircraft Thesaurus – Hawker-Siddeley^{[permanent dead link]}

Bibliography

UK & Canada Aircraft Designation Systems at aerospaceweb.org
Vic Flintham: British military aircraft designations 1945 to date
Gordon Wansbrough-White: What's in a name? In: Aeroplane Monthly, 11/1994, pages 52–55.
Gordon Wansbrough-White: What's in a name? In: Aeroplane Monthly, 12/1994, pages 48–52.
Owen Thetford: Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918 6th edition. Putnam & Co., London 1976, ISBN 0-370-10056-5.

[oxford-1] Carole Hough (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Names and Naming. pp. 607–609.

[2] Vickers names starting with W were of geodesic construction.

[3] Brew, Boulton Paul Aircraft

[4] Allison, George (18 June 2019), UK signs £72.5m contract for MQ-9A Reaper support to 2021, UK Defence Journal, retrieved 19 June 2019

[5] Hawker Siddeley/BAe Harrier, Denis J. Calvert, 2012, Haynes Publishing, ISBN 978 0 85733 079 6

[6] Morgan and Shacklady 2000, p. 593.

[7] History Gallery 1950–1959 – RAF website Archived 2 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 6 December 2010.

[8] RAF Timeline 1950 -1959 – RAF website Archived 25 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 6 December 2010.

[9] Jane's Defence Weekly, 22 December 2010.

[10] RAF Museum Aircraft Thesaurus – Hawker-Siddeley^{[permanent dead link]}

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