The C-17 is much more than a huge plane. Due to its extraordinary capabilities, it has played a growing role in global disaster relief operations in recent years, bringing rapid aid to such catastrophes as the Haiti quake, Indian Ocean Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, Pakistan floods, and earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan.

General Description

The C-17 Globemaster III is a high-wing, four-engine T-tailed military transport.

External Dimensions

• Wingspan to winglet tips: 169.8 ft. (51.74 m)
• Length: 174 ft. (53.04 m)
• Height at tail: 55.1 ft. (16.79 m)
• Fuselage diameter: 22.5 ft. (270 in.) (6.86 m)

Engines

Four Pratt & Whitney PW2040 (military designation F117-PW-100) 40,440 lbs. (179.9 kN) thrust each.

Cargo Compartment

• Cargo compartment crew: One loadmaster
• Cargo floor length: 68.2 ft. (20.78 m)
• Ramp length: 21.4 ft (6.52 m) structural length
• Loadable width: 18 ft. (5.49 m)
• Loadable height (under wing): 12.3 ft. (3.76 m)
• Loadable height (aft of wing): 14.8 ft. (4.50 m)
• Ramp to ground angle: 9 degrees
• Ramp in flight load capacity: 40,000 lbs. (18,144 kg)
• Aerial delivery system:
• Pallets: Eleven 463L pallets (including 2 on ramp)
• Single load airdrop: 60,000 lb. platform (27,216 kg)
• Sequential loads airdrop: 110,000 lbs. (49,895 kg) (60 ft. of platforms (18.29 m)
• Logistic rail system capacity: Eighteen 463L pallets (including 4 on ramp)
• Dual-row airdrop system: Up to eight 18 ft. platforms or 12 463L pallets
• Combat offload: All pallets from ADS or logistic rail systems

Seating

• Sidewall (permanently installed): 54 (27 each side, 18 in. wide, 24 in. spacing center to center)
• Centerline (stored on board): 48 (in sets of six back-to-back, 8 sets)
• Palletized (10-passenger pallets): 80 on 8 pallets, plus 54 passengers on sidewall seats

Aeromedical Evacuation

• Litter Stations (onboard): Three (3 litters each)
• Litter Stations (additional kit): Nine
• Total Capability (high density): 36 litters and 54 ambulatory

Performance

• Maximum Ramp Weight: 586,000 lbs. (265,805 kg)
• Maximum Takeoff Gross Weight: 585,000 lbs. (265,352 kg)
• Operating Empty Weight: 276,500 (125,420 kg)
• Usable Fuel (@ 6.7 lbs/gal): 180,806 lbs. (82,013 kg)
• Payload:
• Maximum: 170,900 lbs. (77,520 kg)
• At 4,000 nautical miles: 58,400 lbs. (26,490 kg)
• Range with Payload:
• 160,000 lbs.: 2,500 nautical miles
• 40,000 lbs. (paratroops): 4,200 nautical miles
• Ferry (empty): 4,740 nautical miles
• Service Ceiling: 45,000 ft. (13,716 m)
• Cruise Speed: 0.74-0.77 Mach
• Takeoff Field Length (Max gross wt.): 7,740 ft. (2,359.15 m)
• Landing Field Length (160,000 lbs. of Cargo): 3,000 ft. (914.40 m)