The seventh C-17A Globemaster III aircraft arrived in Australia at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley on July 29, marking the fastest C-17A delivery in Australian fleet. Minister for Defence Kevin Andrews said the rapid acquisition of the aircraft is a testament to the close relationship that exists between Australia and the United States.
«The active involvement of a number of United States and Australian agencies has been pivotal in meeting the successful delivery of this aircraft and I applaud everyone involved in the acquisition program», Minister Andrews said. «This acquisition signifies considerable work opportunities for the local industry, with $300 million being spent to upgrade facilities. With its proven ability to transport heavy equipment, vehicles and helicopters in a short time frame, the C-17A’s capabilities are vital to Australia’s national security and safety».
Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies, AO, CSC said the acquisition of two additional C-17A aircraft will increase the Australian Defence Force’s capacity to provide vital community and humanitarian assistance.
«The C-17A fleet has been integral to recent operations including the rapid deployment of Australian forces in support of the Iraq Government, assistance in the Queensland floods, and the recovery of MH17 victims from Eastern Ukraine», Air Marshal Davies said.
«This latest acquisition will bolster our existing fleet of strategic lift aircraft – providing vital heavy airlift support to a range of operations, and increase our capacity to provide swift disaster relief and humanitarian assistance at home and abroad. Under Plan Jericho, the Air Force is dedicated to developing a networked, future joint force that can respond across the spectrum – from combat to humanitarian support. An additional two C-17A aircraft will help us achieve that», Air Marshal Davies said.
The Government announced the acquisition of two additional C-17A aircraft in April 2015 representing a $1 billion investment in Australia’s security and Defence Force. The eighth C-17A is planned to arrive in Australia in late 2015.
Technical Specifications
External dimensions
| Wingspan to winglet tip | 169.8 ft/51.74 m |
| Length | 174 ft/53.04 m |
| Height at tail | 55.1 ft/16.79 m |
| Fuselage diameter | 22.5 ft/6.86 m |
Cargo compartment
| Cargo compartment crew | One loadmaster |
| Cargo floor length | 68.2 ft/20.78 m |
| Ramp length | 21.4 ft/6.52 m structural length |
| Loadable width | 18 ft/5.49 m |
| Loadable height (under wing) | 12.3 ft/3.76 m |
| Loadable height (aft of wing) | 14.8 ft/4.50 m |
| Ramp to ground angle | 9 degrees |
| Ramp capacity | 40,000 lbs/18,144 kg |
| Aerial delivery system capacity | |
| Pallets | Eleven 463L(*) pallets (including 2 on ramp) |
| Single load airdrop | 60,000 lbs/27,216 kg platform |
| Sequential loads airdrop | 110,000 lbs/49,895 kg (60 ft/18.29 m of platforms) |
| Logistic rail system capacity | Eighteen 463L(*) pallets (including 4 on ramp) |
| Dual-row airdrop system | Up to eight 18 foot/5.49 m platforms or twelve 463L(*) pallets |
| Combat offload | All pallets from ADS (Alternative Distribution Systems) or logistic rail systems |
(*) Each 463L pallet is 88 in/2.24 m wide, 108 in/2.74 m long and 2-1/4 in/0.57 m high. The usable space is 84 in/2.13 m by 104 in/2.64 m. It can hold up to 10,000 lbs/4,500 kg of cargo (not exceeding 250 lbs/113 kg per square inch) at 8 g. Empty, each pallet weighs 290 lbs/130 kg, or 355 lbs/160 kg with two side nets and a top net.
Seating
| Sidewall (permanently installed) | 54 (27 each side, 18 in/45.72 cm wide, 24 in/60.96 cm spacing center to center) |
| Centerline (stored on board) | 48 (in sets of six back-to-back, 8 sets) |
| Palletized (10-passenger pallets) | 80 on 8 pallets, plus 54 passengers on sidewall seats |
Aeromedical evacuation
| Litter stations (onboard) | Three (3 litters each) |
| Litter stations (additional kit) | Nine |
| Total capability (contingency) | 36 litters and 54 ambulatory |
Cockpit
| Flight crew | 2 pilots |
| Observer positions | 2 |
| Instrument displays | 2 full-time all-function Head-Up Displays (HUD), 4 multi-function active matrix liquid crystal displays |
| Navigation system | Digital electronics |
| Communication | Integrated radio management system with Communications Open System Architecture (COSA) |
| Flight controls system | Quadruple-redundant electronic flight control with mechanical backup system |
Wing
| Area | 3,800 ft2/353.03 m2 |
| Aspect Radio | 7.165 |
| Wing sweep angle | 25 degrees |
| Airfoil type | Supercritical |
| Flaps | Fixed-vane, double-slotted, simple-hinged |
Winglet
| Height | 8.92 ft/2.72 m |
| Span | 9.21 ft/2.81 m |
| Area | 35.85 ft2/3.33 m2 |
| Sweep | 30 degrees |
| Angle | 15 degrees from vertical |
Horizontal tail
| Area | 845 ft2/78.50 m2 |
| Span | 65 ft/19.81 m |
| Aspect ratio | 5.0 |
| Sweep | 27 degrees |
Landing gear
| Main, type | Triple Tandem |
| Width (outside to outside) | 33.7 ft/10.26 m |
| Tires | 50×21-20 |
| Nose, type | Single strut, steerable with dual wheels |
| Tires | 40×16-14 |
| Wheelbase | 65.8 ft/20.06 m |
Engine Specifications
| Thrust | 40,440 lbs/179.9 kN/18,345 kgf |
| Weight | 7,100 lbs/3,220 kg |
| Length | 146.8 in/3.73 m |
| Inlet diameter | 78.5 in/1.99 m |
| Maximum diameter | 84.5 in/2.15 m |
| Bypass ratio | 5.9 to 1 |
| Overall pressure ratio | 30.8 to 1 |
