The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is the ultimate expression of modern airlift versatility, smoothly blending the large payload capacity of a strategic transport with the agility of a tactical airlifter. Designed to replace both the C-141 Starlifter and the C-130 in certain roles, the C-17 can haul 77 tons of cargo, including an M1 Abrams tank, across oceans and land it directly on small, unpaved runways near the front lines. Its powerful Pratt & Whitney F117 engines and advanced thrust-reversers allow it to back up on its own and execute steep, high-performance "combat" approaches. Since entering service in the 1990s, the Globemaster III has become the primary asset for rapid global response, capable of delivering anything from specialized special forces teams to large humanitarian aid packages within hours of a crisis.
