Boeing C-17A Globemaster III

The Boeing C-17A Globemaster III is a four-engined large strategic transport aircraft that forms the backbone of the US Air Forces strategic air lift forces. The aircraft harks back to the McDonnell Douglas YC-15 demonstrator of the early 1980s which won the C-X contract in the US. The C-17 was originally developed by McDonnell Douglas who then merged with Boeing in 1997. The C-17 has been designed to operate from short and narrow airfields utilising advanced blown air flaps giving it excellent STOL performance. The type can also operate from unpaved airstrips, when necessary, a capability the USAF practice in the Nevada desert on a regular basis.

The UAE operate a fleet of eight C-17s which they ordered in 2010. The first aircraft was delivered in May 2011.

The UAE will be sending one of their C-17s to this year's Air Tattoo in support of the Fursan Al Emirat display team. It is not yet known if the aircraft will be appearing on static display.

On display

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