Regan Brown
The C-17 Globemaster III is a cargo aircraft with a maximum payload capacity of 170,900 pounds (77,500 kg) and a maximum takeoff weight of 585,000 pounds (265,000 kg). With a payload of 160,000 pounds (73,000 kg), the C-17 has an unrefuelled range of about 2,400 nautical miles (4,400 km) for the first 71 aircraft produced. The extended-range models that followed have a range of 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 km) thanks to a sealed center wing bay that serves as an additional fuel tank.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Maximum payload | 170,900 pounds (77,500 kg; 85.5 short tons) |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 585,000 pounds (265,000 kg) |
| Unrefueled range with a payload of 160,000 pounds (73,000 kg) and an initial cruise altitude of 28,000 ft (8,500 m) | 2,400 nautical miles (4,400 kilometres) on the first 71 aircraft |
| Unrefueled range with a payload of 160,000 pounds (73,000 kg) and an initial cruise altitude of 28,000 ft (8,500 m) for extended-range models with a sealed center wing bay as a fuel tank | 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 kilometres) |
| Maximum unloaded range | 6,230 nautical miles (11,540 km) |
| Minimum runway length | 3,500 ft (1,067 m) |
| Minimum runway width | 90 ft (27 m) |
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What You'll Learn
The C-17 Globemaster III can carry 170,900 pounds of payload
The C-17 Globemaster III is a powerful cargo aircraft capable of hauling an impressive payload. With a maximum payload capacity of 170,900 pounds (77,500 kg or 85.5 short tons), it can transport an extensive amount of cargo or personnel. This capability makes the C-17 an invaluable asset for strategic airlift operations, enabling the rapid deployment of troops and supplies directly to forward bases within the theatre of operations.
The C-17's payload capacity is not just about raw numbers. The aircraft's cargo compartment is an impressive 88 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 12 feet 4 inches high, offering significant volume for cargo. The versatility of the cargo area is a standout feature. The cargo floor is designed with rollers, making it ideal for palletized cargo, but it can also be flipped to provide a flat surface suitable for vehicles and other rolling stock. This adaptability ensures the C-17 can accommodate a diverse range of cargo types efficiently.
The aircraft's impressive payload capacity is complemented by its performance capabilities. With a maximum takeoff weight of 585,000 pounds, it can operate from runways as short as 3,500 feet and as narrow as 90 feet. This flexibility allows the C-17 to access a wide range of airfields, including those with shorter or more constrained runways. Additionally, the C-17 can even utilise unpaved and unimproved runways, further enhancing its operational reach, although this does carry a higher risk of aircraft damage.
The C-17's range is equally impressive. With a payload of 160,000 pounds and an initial cruise altitude of 28,000 feet, the aircraft can cover a distance of approximately 2,400 nautical miles unrefuelled on the first 71 aircraft produced. However, the extended-range models, known informally as the C-17 ER, boast an even more impressive range of 2,800 nautical miles by incorporating a sealed centre wing bay as a fuel tank. This increased range provides greater operational flexibility, enabling the C-17 to reach more distant locations without refuelling.
In summary, the C-17 Globemaster III's ability to carry 170,900 pounds of payload showcases its exceptional cargo capabilities. This payload capacity, combined with its versatile cargo compartment, performance, and range, makes the C-17 a highly valued asset for military and humanitarian missions alike, ensuring the swift and efficient delivery of essential personnel and supplies to where they are needed most.
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The C-17 has a maximum unrefuelled range of 2,800 nautical miles
The C-17 Globemaster III is a powerful and flexible cargo aircraft capable of delivering troops and cargo rapidly to main operating bases or forward bases in the deployment area. It has an impressive maximum unrefuelled range of 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 kilometres) on its extended-range models, which Boeing informally refers to as the C-17 ER. This extended range is made possible by the addition of a sealed centre wing bay that serves as an extra fuel tank.
The C-17's performance is enhanced by its four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines, which provide 40,400 lbf (180 kN) of thrust each. The engine design includes a unique feature that directs exhaust air upwards and forward, reducing potential damage from runway debris and providing reverse thrust during taxiing. This efficient engine system, combined with the aircraft's aerodynamic design, enables the C-17 to achieve a maximum cruise speed of about 450 knots (830 km/h) or Mach 0.74.
The cargo capabilities of the C-17 are also noteworthy. Its cargo compartment measures 88 feet (27 m) in length, 18 feet (5.5 m) in width, and 12 feet 4 inches (3.76 m) in height, providing ample space for various cargo configurations. The cargo floor is designed with rollers to facilitate the loading and unloading of palletized cargo, but it can also be flipped to create a flat surface ideal for vehicles or other rolling stock.
The C-17's versatility is further demonstrated by its ability to operate from diverse runways. It can utilise runways as short as 3,500 feet (1,067 m) and as narrow as 90 feet (27 m). Additionally, the C-17 can operate from unpaved and unimproved runways, showcasing its adaptability to different terrain and operational requirements.
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The aircraft's sealed centre wing bay acts as a fuel tank
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a highly flexible cargo aircraft capable of rapidly delivering troops and cargo. It is powered by four powerful turbofan engines, providing 40,400 lbf (180 kN) of thrust each. These engines are a key factor in the C-17's performance, including its fuel efficiency.
The C-17 has an impressive range and payload capacity. With a payload of 160,000 pounds (73,000 kg), this aircraft can cover a distance of about 2,400 nautical miles (4,400 kilometres) without refuelling. This range is extended in the C-17 ER (Extended Range) models, which include a sealed centre wing bay that acts as an additional fuel tank.
The sealed centre wing bay as a fuel tank is a significant feature of the C-17 ER. With this addition, the aircraft's range increases to 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 kilometres) while still carrying the same payload. This extended range provides greater operational flexibility, allowing the C-17 ER to reach more distant destinations without the need for refuelling stops.
The ability to carry more fuel in the centre wing bay is a crucial advantage for the C-17 ER. It enhances the aircraft's versatility and endurance, making it well-suited for long-distance missions and deployments. This extended range capability further contributes to the C-17's reputation as a highly capable and adaptable cargo aircraft, able to meet the demands of modern military and humanitarian operations.
Overall, the sealed centre wing bay that serves as a fuel tank is a defining feature of the C-17 ER, setting it apart from the standard C-17 model and expanding its operational possibilities. This innovative design showcases the engineering expertise behind the C-17 and underscores its value as a strategic asset for air forces around the world.
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The C-17's vortex surfing tests showed a 10% fuel saving
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a strategic transport aircraft used for cargo and troop transport. It has a maximum payload capacity of 170,900 pounds (77,500 kg) and a maximum takeoff weight of 585,000 pounds (265,000 kg). The C-17 is powered by four powerful turbofan engines, providing exceptional thrust and enabling various operational capabilities.
Vortex surfing is an innovative technique where aircraft take advantage of the updraft from vortices generated by the wingtips of the plane ahead, resulting in significant fuel savings. During vortex surfing tests performed by two C-17s, a remarkable 10% fuel saving was achieved. This formation flying strategy, inspired by the V-shaped wedges used by geese during long migrations, showcases the potential for substantial cost savings and increased efficiency in aircraft operations.
The C-17's large cargo compartment measures 88 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 12 feet 4 inches high, accommodating various cargo types. The versatile cargo floor can be adapted for palletized cargo or rolled out flat for vehicles. The aircraft's design also includes engine thrust reversers that enhance safety and manoeuvrability during taxiing and maximum-rate descents.
The C-17's range capabilities are impressive, with an unrefueled range of about 2,400 nautical miles (4,400 kilometres) on the initial 71 aircraft. The subsequent extended-range models, known as C-17 ER, offer an even greater unrefueled range of 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 kilometres) thanks to the addition of a sealed center wing bay as a fuel tank. These extended-range capabilities further enhance the C-17's operational flexibility and effectiveness in delivering cargo and troops to forward bases efficiently.
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The C-17 has four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines
The C-17 is a powerful aircraft with an impressive range and payload capacity. At its core are four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines, delivering an impressive 40,400 pounds of thrust each. This thrust power enables the C-17 to carry a substantial payload of 160,600 pounds and take off from a 7,600-foot airfield, an exceptional capability for a plane of its size.
The F117 engines are based on the commercial Pratt & Whitney PW2040 engine used on the Boeing 757. The military variant, the F117-PW-100, boasts several enhancements that make it ideal for the C-17. One notable feature is the "externally blown flap" or "powered lift" system, which allows the plane to make slow, steep approaches even with heavy cargo loads. This system directs the engine's exhaust flow through slotted flaps, augmenting the wing lift and enabling shorter take-off runs and steeper descents.
The F117 engines also contribute to the C-17's fuel efficiency. The engines are designed to minimise fuel burn, and their low engine noise and exhaust emissions meet both current and anticipated commercial requirements. The F117's Full-Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) further enhances fuel efficiency by delivering higher operational performance and improved maintenance diagnostics. In vortex surfing tests, the C-17 with its F117 engines achieved a 10% fuel saving, showcasing its efficient performance.
Additionally, the F117 engines are equipped with a unique feature: a directed-flow thrust reverser. This reverser not only reduces the chances of foreign object damage by directing engine exhaust air upwards and forward but also provides reverse thrust for manoeuvring during taxiing. The thrust reverser can even be deployed in flight at idle-reverse for added drag during maximum-rate descents. The combination of power and efficiency provided by the F117-PW-100 engines makes the C-17 a highly capable and flexible aircraft for various missions, including airlift operations, humanitarian aid, and combat airdrops.
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Frequently asked questions
The maximum fuel capacity of a C-17 is not publicly known, but it has an unrefueled range of about 2,400 nautical miles (4,400 kilometres) with a payload of 160,000 lb (73,000 kg).
The C-17 has an unrefueled range of about 2,400 nautical miles (4,400 km) on the first 71 aircraft. On subsequent extended-range models, the range increases to 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 km).
The fuel capacity of the C-17's fuel tanks is not publicly known, but it can carry enough fuel to fly for up to 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 km) without refuelling.
The fuel consumption of a C-17 is not publicly known, but it can fly for up to 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 km) without refuelling.
Although I cannot find the exact fuel efficiency of a C-17, a vortex surfing test performed by two C-17s reported up to 10% fuel savings.
