Overview
Why this aircraft matters
The prototype first flew in 1991 and the aircraft entered US Air Force service in 1993. Production ended in 2015, but the type remains in service with several nations and NATO.
Size and design
Externally blown flaps, a high-lift wing and reversible thrust enable short-field operation and ground manoeuvring that would be unusual for an aircraft of this size.
At 53 metres long and 51.75 metres across, the C-17 Globemaster III occupies a very different physical envelope from an everyday single-aisle airliner. Dimensions alone do not tell the entire story: payload, cabin volume and intended role determine how that space is used.
Operators and current status
United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Indian Air Force, Qatar Emiri Air Force, UAE Air Force, NATO.
In military service worldwide. Operator lists can change; they are reviewed against first-party material and are not a live fleet-tracking service.
Notable records
- Combines intercontinental airlift with short austere-runway operation
- Can reverse under its own power
Source notes
Dimensions, payload, weight, speed and loaded-range figures are taken from the US Air Force fact sheet.
Last verified: 9 September 2026. Values may differ by variant, operating condition and source definition.