Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large, four-engine military transport aircraft developed for the United States Air Force. Originally designed by McDonnell Douglas, which later merged with Boeing, the C-17 first flew in 1991 and entered operational service in the mid-1990s. It was conceived to meet the Air Force's need for an airlifter that combined the heavy-cargo capacity of strategic transports with the rugged, short-field landing ability of tactical aircraft.

The C-17's defining feature is its versatility. Powered by four turbofan engines, it can carry outsized loads such as battle tanks, helicopters, and large quantities of troops or palletized cargo over intercontinental distances, while also being able to land on short, austere, and unpaved runways close to a battlefield. Its high-lift wing, advanced flight controls, and ability to back up under its own power make it well suited to forward operating conditions.

Since its introduction, the C-17 has become a backbone of American and allied airlift, flying combat resupply, humanitarian relief, and medical evacuation missions worldwide. It has also been operated by a number of partner nations, reflecting its reputation as one of the most capable airlifters of its generation.