HomeVisitMuseum ExhibitsFact SheetsDisplay

Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

Published July 27, 2015

The C-17 Globemaster III T-1 flies over Owens Valley, Calif., for a test sortie. Edwards welcomed home the aircraft after 208 days of life extension modifications in San Antonio. T-1 is the first Air Force C-17 built to perform developmental testing. The aircraft is scheduled to perform flight testing to include airdrop improvements and core-computer replacement testing. (Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 18

The C-17 Globemaster III T-1 flies over Owens Valley, Calif., for a test sortie. (U.S. Air Force photo)

The C-17 Globemaster III T-1 takes off from Long Beach, Calif., on Sept. 15, 1991. (Photo courtesy of Boeing)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 18

The C-17 Globemaster III T-1 takes off from Long Beach, Calif., on Sept. 15, 1991. (Photo courtesy of Boeing)

The C-17 Globemaster III T-1 on Sept. 15, 2011, the 20th anniversary of its first flight. (Photo courtesy of Boeing)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 18

The C-17 Globemaster III T-1 on Sept. 15, 2011, the 20th anniversary of its first flight. (Photo courtesy of Boeing)

DAYTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) arrives at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force after its final flight on April 25, 2012. This C-17 Globemaster III (S/N 87-0025) was essentially hand-built for the sole purpose of developmental test and evaluation, with an estimated life span of approximately five years. The aircraft was periodically rebuilt and refurbished over the years and its lifespan grew from five to 21 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff Fisher)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) arrives at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force after its final flight on April 25, 2012. This C-17 Globemaster III (S/N 87-0025) was essentially hand-built for the sole purpose of developmental test and evaluation, with an estimated life span of approximately five years. The aircraft was periodically rebuilt and refurbished over the years and its lifespan grew from five to 21 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff Fisher)

DAYTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) arrives at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force after its final flight on April 25, 2012. This C-17 Globemaster III (S/N 87-0025) was essentially hand-built for the sole purpose of developmental test and evaluation, with an estimated life span of approximately five years. The aircraft was periodically rebuilt and refurbished over the years and its lifespan grew from five to 21 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff Fisher)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 5 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) arrives at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force after its final flight on April 25, 2012. This C-17 Globemaster III (S/N 87-0025) was essentially hand-built for the sole purpose of developmental test and evaluation, with an estimated life span of approximately five years. The aircraft was periodically rebuilt and refurbished over the years and its lifespan grew from five to 21 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff Fisher)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Col. Douglas Jaquish, Vice Commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, Calif., "hands over" the U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) to Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jack Hudson, director of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The C-17 arrived at the museum after its final flight on April 25, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff Fisher)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 6 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio -- Col. Douglas Jaquish, Vice Commander of the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, Calif., "hands over" the U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) to Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jack Hudson, director of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The C-17 arrived at the museum after its final flight on April 25, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff Fisher)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing C-17 Globemaster III at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 7 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing C-17 Globemaster III at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAYTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) arrives at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force after its final flight on April 25, 2012. In addition to its role as a flight test aircraft, T-1 is also a Hollywood star. The aircraft appeared in country superstar Toby Keith's Emmy Award-winning production of "American Soldier." T-1 went on to appear in five motion pictures: "Transformers," "Iron Man," "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," "Iron Man 2" and "Superman: Man of Steel" (to be released by Warner Brothers in 2013). (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 8 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Air Force's first C-17 (T-1) arrives at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force after its final flight on April 25, 2012. In addition to its role as a flight test aircraft, T-1 is also a Hollywood star. The aircraft appeared in country superstar Toby Keith's Emmy Award-winning production of "American Soldier." T-1 went on to appear in five motion pictures: "Transformers," "Iron Man," "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," "Iron Man 2" and "Superman: Man of Steel" (to be released by Warner Brothers in 2013). (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAYTON, Ohio -- The C-17 is towed to its exhibit space in the Air Park at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 9 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio -- The C-17 is towed to its exhibit space in the Air Park at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAYTON, Ohio -- The C-17 is towed to its exhibit space in the Air Park at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 10 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio -- The C-17 is towed to its exhibit space in the Air Park at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing C-17 Globemaster III in the Air Park at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 11 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing C-17 Globemaster III in the Air Park at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing C-17 Globemaster III in the Air Park at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 12 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing C-17 Globemaster III in the Air Park at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing C-17 cockpit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 13 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing C-17 cockpit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAYTON, Ohio - Boeing C-17 cockpit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 14 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio - Boeing C-17 cockpit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio - Boeing C-17 cockpit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 15 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio - Boeing C-17 cockpit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio - Boeing C-17 cockpit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 16 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio - Boeing C-17 cockpit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio - Boeing C-17 cockpit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 17 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio - Boeing C-17 cockpit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing C-17 Globemaster III in the Air Park at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 18 of 18

DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing C-17 Globemaster III in the Air Park at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

PRINT | E-MAIL
Entering service in 1993, the C-17 Globemaster III is the U.S. Air Force's newest, most versatile cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to small, austere airfields. It can also perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions or transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations.

A crew of three (pilot, copilot and loadmaster) operates the C-17, which can carry about 170,000 pounds of cargo. The large aft door will accommodate almost all of the U.S. Army's air-transportable vehicles and palletized cargo, including the Army's M-1 Abrams main battle tank. The C-17 can take off and land on runways as short as 3,500 feet and only 90 feet wide. Its four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 engines can reverse their thrust to help slow it down on landings. The thrust reversers direct the engine exhaust upward and forward to prevent dust and debris from being sucked into the engine intakes. These reversible engines also allow the pilot to back the plane or even turn it around on a narrow runway using a three-point star turn method.

The Globemaster III on display is the prototype C-17. Built by the Douglas Aircraft Co., which is now Boeing, it was designated T-1 (S/N 87-0025). T-1 made its first flight on Sept. 15, 1991, when it was delivered to the USAF at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for testing. After completing the extensive C-17 flight test program, T-1 supported many other flight and propulsion test programs for the USAF, NASA and others. T-1 also appeared in a number of major motion pictures, including "Transformers" (2007), "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" (2009), "Iron Man" (2008) and "Iron Man 2" (2010).

After 20 years of wide-ranging flight tests, T-1 had reached the end of its flying career, and it was retired at Edwards AFB in 2011. T-1 was flown to the museum to begin its new career in April 2012.

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Crew: Three (pilot, copilot and loadmaster)
Aeromedical Evacuation Crew: Five (two flight nurses and three medical technicians)
Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines of 40,440 thrust each
Load: 170,900 pounds of cargo; 102 troops/paratroops; or 36 litter and 54 ambulatory patients
Maximum speed: 518 mph (Mach .74) at 28,000 ft
Range: Global with aerial refueling
Click here to return to the Air Park.

 

Find Out More
Line
360-degree Virtual Tour
View the C-17 on Display
Line
Cockpit360 Images
View the C-17 Flight Deck View
View the C-17 Flight Deck Overview 
View the C-17 Observation Station 
View the C-17 Loadmaster Station 
View the C-17 Forward Cargo Area 
View the C-17 Aft Cargo Area 
Line
Videos
C-17 Move to Air Park (00:02:21) 
USAF's First C-17 Globemaster III (T-1) Arrives at Museum (00:02:20) 
Line
Air Force Museum Foundation
See the C-17 in Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag at the Air Force Museum Theatre
Line
Other Resources
Air Force Entertainment Liaison Office 
Line
Note: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the National Museum of the USAF, the U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external website, or the information, products or services contained therein.
TagAircraft


Mask Policy:
In accordance with the updated guidance released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Defense (DoD) and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will require all visitors to wear face masks indoors effective July 30, 2021 until further notice.

Visitors ages three and up will be required to wear masks while indoors at the museum. This policy applies to all visitors, staff and volunteers regardless of vaccination status. Visitors may wear their own masks or a free paper mask will be provided. Cloth masks will also be available for purchase in the Museum Store.
Additional information available here.

Featured Links

Plan Your Visit button
E-newsletter Sign-up button
Explore Museum Exhibits button
Browse Photos button
Visit Press Room button
Become a Volunteer button
Air Force Museum Foundation button
Donate an item button