The multi-service C-17 is a high-wing, four-engine, T-tailed military transport aircraft that can fly day or night across the globe and deliver troops, supplies, and heavy equipment to remote airfields in challenging terrain. The enormous, resilient long-haul aeroplane handles distance, destination, and big, oversized payloads in erratic weather. Since the 1990s, it has delivered goods in every international operation.
Origin
The Douglas C-74 Globemaster and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II are two former piston-engined military freight aircraft that served as inspiration for this US-made aircraft. Since the 1990s, it has delivered goods in every international operation. In addition to taking over some of the functions of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, it was created to replace the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter and free up the C-5 fleet for large cargo.
Also read: 10 Facts About The: Boeing C-17 AKA Globemaster III
Importance of C-17
The C-17 can deliver troops and any kind of cargo quickly and strategically to advance bases or main operational bases in the deployment area. During aeromedical evacuations, the aircraft can transport litters and ambulatory patients in addition to performing tactical airlift and airdrop missions.
The C-17 is a large, adaptable military transport aircraft that has been in use since 1991. It can fly great distances with heavy, oversized loads and land on uneven, unprepared terrain. It has recently reached 2.6 million flying hours and has been employed in both military and humanitarian missions all over the world. Boeing has now supplied 256 C-17s, including 222 to the US Air Force and a total of 34 to Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the 12-nation Strategic Airlift Capability project of NATO and Partnership for Peace countries.
Also read: Comparison Between C-17 Globemaster & C-130J Super Hercules And Which Is Bigger?
Boeing claims that the C-17 is the best transporter for military, humanitarian, and peacekeeping missions since it can travel great distances and land in isolated airfields in difficult, landlocked countries. It can take off from an airstrip at 7,600 feet, travel 2,400 nautical miles with a payload of 160,000 pounds, refuel while in flight, and land in less than three stories on a small paved or unpaved runway day or night. The C-17 has seating for 54 on the sidewall and 48 in the middle, and it has a single 60,000-lb payload drop capability with subsequent 110,000-lb load drops.
Why do we need C-17 ‘Globemaster’
It frequently performs strategic airlift missions, moving people and goods all over the world. Other uses for it include airdrop and medical evacuation missions. They are run in a variety of environments, from bases on the Indian Ocean in South India to Himalayan air bases in North India at 13,000 feet. The C-17’s maximum takeoff weight is 585,000 pounds, and its maximum payload is 170,900 pounds (77,500 kg) (265,000 kg).
Also read: List Of Transport Aircraft Carriers Used By Indian Armed Forces
The C-17 is a top transporter for military, humanitarian, and peacekeeping missions due to its capacity to fly great distances and land in isolated airfields in challenging, landlocked countries. It can:
- Take off from a 7,600-foot airport, travel 2,400 nautical miles with a payload of 160,000 pounds, refuel in flight, then land in 3,000 feet or less on a small, paved or unpaved airfield during the day or at night.
- The C-17 commonly performs tactical and strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo throughout the world; additional roles include medical evacuation and airdrop duties.
- Drop a single 60,000-lb payload followed by a series of 110,000-lb loads.
Operational History
Also read: All Aircrafts Of Indian Air Force [UPDATED LIST]
For the first time, the Indian Air Force chose the C-17 in June 2009 to fulfill its need for a very heavy-load transport aircraft in place of many different transport aircraft types. To complete the testing, it successfully test-landed a USAF C-17 at the Gaggal airport in 2010. The IAF and Boeing came to an agreement in 2011 for the purchase of 10 C-17s with a potential order for six more. The C-17 was formally launched into service in 2013.
Number of C-17 in India
A fleet of 11 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft is owned by the Indian Air Force. Additionally, Boeing built a C-17 simulator training facility inside the nation, where aircrews and loadmasters have completed thousands of hours of training.
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