Boeing C-17 Globemaster

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 RAF first ordered four aircraft during May 2000 on a seven year lease with an option to extend for a further two years. The first aircraft arrived at RAF Brize Norton to flown by 99 Squadron the following year in May 2001. Due to the benefits realised from the aircrafts capabilities the RAF chose to purchase all four aircraft at the end of the lease. In total eight C-17s were delivered to the RAF and all aircraft continue to be flown by 99 Squadron where they are under constant demand.

A single RAF C-17 will be appearing on static display at this year’s Air Tattoo as part of our NATO 75th celebrations.

Photo Credit: Glenn Stanley