Need I say more? Hmmm okay, I will ....
She may not be that easy on the eyes, but hey, something with this SIZE and POWER ....
....... Can still be as graceful as the rest of them.
In the 80's the US Airforce wanted to replace their ageing fleet of C-141s and McDonnell Douglas were awarded the contract. They used the YC-15 design as the basis for the C-17.
Its amazing it even became operational! The first C-17 squadron was declared operational by the U.S. Air Force in January 1995. At the same time, it was declared that the original C-17 budget was US$41.8 billion for 210 aircraft, the 120 aircraft already ordered at that point had already cost US$39.5 billion.
C-17's in the Royal Air Force
Wikipedia wrote:In the light of continuing delays to the EADS A400M programme, the UK Defence Secretary, Geoff Hoon, announced in May 2000 that the RAF would lease four C-17s at an annual cost of £100 million from Boeing for an initial seven years with an optional two year extension. At this point the RAF would have the option to buy the aircraft or return them to Boeing. The UK committed to upgrading the C-17s in line with the USAF so that in the event of their being returned to Boeing the USAF could adopt them.
The first C-17 was delivered to the RAF at Boeing's Long Beach facility on 17 May 2001 and flown to RAF Brize Norton by a crew from No. 99 Squadron which had previously trained with USAF crews to gain competence on the type. The RAF's fourth C-17 was delivered on 24 August 2001. The RAF aircraft were some of the first to take advantage of the new center wing fuel tank.
The RAF declared itself delighted with the C-17 and reports began to emerge that they wished to retain the aircraft regardless of the A400M's progress. Although the C-17 fleet was to be a fallback for the A400M, the UK announced on 21 July 2004 that they had elected to buy their four C-17s at the end of the lease, even though the A400M appeared to be moving closer to production. They also announced that there would be a follow-on order for one aircraft, with possible additional purchases later. While the A400M is described as a "strategic" airlifter, the C-17 gives the RAF true strategic capabilities that it would not wish to lose, for example a maximum payload of 169,500 lb (77,000 kg) compared to the Airbus' 82,000 lb (37,000 kg).
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 4 August 2006 that they had ordered an additional C-17 and that the four aircraft on lease would be purchased at the end of the current contract in 2008. A fifth aircraft was delivered on 22 February 2008 and reported for duty on 7 April 2008 at Brize Norton air base in Oxfordshire. Due to fears that the A400M may suffer further delays, the MoD announced plans to acquire three more C-17s (giving a total of eight) for delivery in 2009-2010, provided that the U.S. Air Force placed a follow-on order extending through the same time period. On 26 July 2007, Defence Secretary Des Browne announced that the MoD intends to order a sixth C-17 to boost operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. On 3 December 2007, the MoD announced a contract with Boeing for a sixth C-17, which was handed over to the RAF on 11 June 2008.
In RAF service the C-17 has not been given an official designation (e.g., C-130J referred to as Hercules C4 or C5) due to its leased status, but is referred to simply as the C-17 or "C-17A Globemaster".
RAF, RAAF and USAF C-17s and flight crews at RAF Brize Norton in June 2007
Its even gorgeous inside too!!!
Please name me another aircraft that can carry 170,000lbs payload at a cruise speed of 450 knots?
