The United States Department of State has cleared a possible $540-million foreign military sale to support Canada’s fleet of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III airlifters.
The proposed package includes maintenance and support equipment, ground handling systems, replacement parts, consumables, accessories, and repair-and-return services aimed at sustaining the aircraft fleet.
The agreement is intended to ensure continued operational capability for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s five C-17 aircraft, which began entering service in 2007. Boeing has been identified as the lead contractor.
Strategic Airlift Platform
Entering operational service in 1995, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is designed to perform tactical airlift, humanitarian relief, troop transport, airdrop, and medical evacuation missions.
The aircraft is capable of carrying 170,900 pounds (77,519 kilograms) of payload or transporting up to 100 paratroopers, allowing rapid deployment of military personnel and heavy equipment into operational theaters.
Crewed by two pilots and a loadmaster, the C-17 is powered by four PW2000 turbofan engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney.
The transport aircraft can reach speeds of 450 knots (833 kilometers/518 miles per hour), operate over a range of 2,420 nautical miles (4,482 kilometers/2,785 miles), and fly at altitudes up to 45,000 feet (13,716 meters).
In addition to service with Canada and the United States, the C-17 is operated by several nations including Australia, India, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
