The C17 Globemaster: A Comprehensive Size Comparison Guide

Introduction

The C17 Globemaster is a military transport aircraft that has been in service since the 1990s. It is one of the largest aircraft in the world and is capable of transporting a wide range of cargo, including vehicles, equipment, and troops. In this article, we will compare the size of the C17 Globemaster to other large aircraft and provide a comprehensive guide to its dimensions and capabilities.

Dimensions

Length

The C17 Globemaster has a length of 174 feet (53 meters). This makes it longer than the Boeing 747-400, which has a length of 232 feet (71 meters), but shorter than the Antonov An-225 Mriya, which has a length of 275 feet (84 meters).

Wingspan

The wingspan of the C17 Globemaster is 169 feet 10 inches (51.8 meters). This is shorter than the wingspan of the Airbus A380, which has a wingspan of 261 feet 8 inches (79.8 meters), but longer than the wingspan of the Boeing 747-400, which has a wingspan of 211 feet 5 inches (64.4 meters).

Height

The C17 Globemaster has a height of 55 feet 1 inch (16.8 meters). This is shorter than the Antonov An-124 Ruslan, which has a height of 68 feet (20.8 meters), but taller than the Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter, which has a height of 38 feet 4 inches (11.7 meters).

Capacities

Payload

The C17 Globemaster is capable of carrying a payload of up to 170,900 pounds (77,519 kilograms). This is less than the payload capacity of the Antonov An-225 Mriya, which can carry up to 418,000 pounds (189,600 kilograms), but more than the payload capacity of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, which can carry up to 135,000 pounds (61,235 kilograms).

Volume

The C17 Globemaster has a cargo volume of 6,000 cubic feet (170 cubic meters). This is smaller than the cargo volume of the Antonov An-124 Ruslan, which has a cargo volume of 22,500 cubic feet (639 cubic meters), but larger than the cargo volume of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, which has a cargo volume of 5,524 cubic feet (156.4 cubic meters).

Passengers

The C17 Globemaster can carry up to 102 passengers. This is more than the passenger capacity of the Antonov An-225 Mriya, which can carry up to 350 passengers, but less than the passenger capacity of the Airbus A380, which can carry up to 853 passengers.

Performance

Speed

The C17 Globemaster has a cruising speed of 450 knots (518 miles per hour or 833 kilometers per hour). This is slower than the cruising speed of the Boeing 747-400, which has a cruising speed of 570 knots (657 miles per hour or 1,056 kilometers per hour), but faster than the cruising speed of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, which has a cruising speed of 518 knots (596 miles per hour or 960 kilometers per hour).

Range

The C17 Globemaster has a range of 2,420 nautical miles (2,785 miles or 4,480 kilometers) with a payload of 160,000 pounds (72,575 kilograms). This is less than the range of the Boeing 747-400, which has a range of 7,260 nautical miles (8,350 miles or 13,450 kilometers), but more than the range of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, which has a range of 2,770 nautical miles (3,185 miles or 5,130 kilometers).

Conclusion

The C17 Globemaster is a unique aircraft that has the ability to carry a wide range of cargo and passengers. While it may not be the largest or fastest aircraft in the world, it is certainly one of the most versatile. Whether you are looking to transport troops, equipment, or humanitarian aid, the C17 Globemaster is a reliable and efficient choice.