|
The C-17 meets an RAF requirement for an interim
strategic airlift capability pending the introduction of Future
Transport Aircraft (A400).
The decision to lease four C-17 aircraft for some £771m from Boeing was
taken in 2001, and the aircraft entered service in 2001. The lease was
for a period of seven years, with the option to buy or extend at the end
of that period.
The option to buy the leased aircraft was exercised in
August 2006 together with signature of the contract to procure a fifth
new C-17 aircraft which was delivered in April 2008. A sixth C-17 was
ordered as a result of a £130 million contract signed in December 2007
and was delivered in July 2008. Two more were ordered in 2010 and 2012.
The C-17 fleet is capable of the deployment of 1,400 tonnes of freight
over 3,200 miles in a seven day period. The aircraft is able to carry
one Challenger 2 MBT, or a range of smaller armoured vehicles, or up to
three WAH-64 Apache aircraft at one time. Over 150 troops can be
carried. In-flight refuelling increases the aircraft range.
By 2013 the unit cost of the C-17 was
believed to have risen to around £200 million.
No 99 Sqn has some 180 flight crew and ground staff.
In service with:
|
99 Squadron |
6 x C-17A |
RAF Brize Norton |
|
C-17 GLOBEMASTER
Specifications
|
| Crew
|
2 pilots and
1 loadmaster |
| Capacity
|
Maximum of
154 troops
|
|
|
Normal load
of 102 fully-equipped troops, up to 172,200lb (78,108kg) on up to
18 standard freight pallets or 48 litters in the medevac role
|
| Length
Overall
|
53.04m
|
| Height
Overall
|
16.8m
|
| Wingspan
|
50.29m
|
| Loadable
width |
5.5m |
| Cruising Speed |
648kph/403mph |
| Range
(max payload) |
4,444km/2,400miles |
| Engines
|
4 x Pratt
and Whitney F117 turbofans |
|
