Military · Boeing (originally McDonnell Douglas)
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III C17
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large four-engine military cargo jet that can carry tanks and helicopters and land on short runways. It is the backbone of US strategic airlift.
C-17s airborne over the US now
—
of all airborne aircraftplus — on the ground
Live data loads with JavaScript and refreshes every 15 seconds.
C-17s in the air over the last 24 hours
A chart of how many C-17s are airborne through the day loads with JavaScript.
Specifications
- ICAO code
- C17
- First flight
- 1991
- Typical cruise
- 450 kt / 518 mph
- Service ceiling
- 45,000 ft
- Range
- 2,400 nm / 2,762 mi
- Capacity
- Crew of 3; up to about 170,000 lb of cargo or 102 paratroopers
- Length
- 53 m / 174 ft
- Wingspan
- 51.8 m / 170 ft
Engines: 4 x Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofans. Family: C-17. Figures are typical published values, rounded; real performance depends on variant, weight and conditions.
What it does in US skies
C-17s haul troops, vehicles, humanitarian supplies and equipment between US bases and around the world. They are one of the military aircraft most often visible on public flight trackers.
Main US operators: US Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve.
How to recognize a C-17
- High-mounted wing with four large engines and a T-tail
- Thick, wide fuselage with a rear cargo ramp
- Bulging landing gear pods on the lower fuselage sides
- Upturned winglets on a slightly drooping wing
How it looks on a flight tracker
Often shows callsigns beginning REACH or RCH, cruising at FL280 to FL350 around 400 to 480 knots. Many C-17s transmit ADS-B with full details on routine logistics flights.
History
The C-17 first flew in September 1991 and entered USAF service in 1995. Production ended in 2015 after 279 were built, 223 of them for the US Air Force.
Where C-17s are right now
Open this view on airplanes.live →Questions
What is the ICAO code for the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III?
The ICAO aircraft type designator for the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is C17. Flight trackers and flight plans use this four-character code.
How fast does the C-17 fly?
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III typically cruises at about 450 knots true airspeed (about 518 mph). Ground speed on a tracker varies with the wind.
How high can the C-17 fly?
Its service ceiling is about 45,000 ft.