C-17 Globemaster III Celebrates 35 Years of Service with Boeing's Modernization Efforts
The C-17 Globemaster III has been in service for over three decades, playing a crucial role in airlift operations worldwide.
In 1991, the first C-17 took to the skies on September 15 at Long Beach's California airport. The aircraft was developed by McDonnell Douglas as part of the Cargo Transport Aircraft-Experimental (C-X) program.
The YC-15 prototype, which flew in 1975, laid the groundwork for the C-17's innovative features such as externally blown flaps and its ability to use unpaved airfields. The US Air Force terminated the AMST program but used the design as a basis for the C-X proposal.
The C-17 has set numerous world records, including payload to altitude time-to-climb and short takeoff and landing marks. As of 2022, the worldwide fleet surpassed 5 million flying hours next year, with Boeing supporting and modernizing these aircraft through outcome-based services contracting structures.