C-17 Globemaster III

C-17 Globemaster III
The prototype C-17, known as T-1, flying a test sortie in 2007
Role	Strategic and tactical airlifter
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	McDonnell Douglas / Boeing
First flight	15 September 1991
Introduction	17 January 1995
Status	In service
Primary users	United States Air Force Indian Air Force Royal Air Force Royal Australian Air Force
Produced	1991–2015
Number built	279
Unit cost	US$218 million (flyaway cost for FY 2007)
Developed from	McDonnell Douglas YC-15

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. It was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. The C-17 carries forward the name of two previous piston-engined military cargo aircraft, the Douglas C-74 Globemaster and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. The C-17 commonly performs tactical and strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo throughout the world; additional roles include medical evacuation and airdrop duties. It was designed to replace the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter, and also fulfill some of the duties of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, freeing the C-5 fleet for outsize cargo.

Boeing, which merged with McDonnell Douglas in the 1990s, continued to manufacture C-17s for export customers following the end of deliveries to the U.S. Air Force. Aside from the United States, the C-17 is in service with the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, NATO Heavy Airlift Wing, India, and Kuwait. The final C-17 was completed at the Long Beach, California plant and flown on 29 November 2015.