C 17A Globemaster III

The McDonnell Douglas/Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a substantial military transport aircraft developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) in the 1980s and early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. It serves as a continuation of the naming lineage started by two earlier piston-engined military cargo aircraft, the Douglas C-74 Globemaster and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. The C-17 is renowned for its capabilities in strategic and tactical airlift, as well as its versatility in operations such as rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases in deployment areas. Its advanced design allows it to perform missions in demanding environments, with features like a short takeoff and landing capability and the ability to carry large payloads over long distances.