C-17 Aircraft (IF)

Mission — C-17A Aircraft source

The four-engine C-17 is the only aircraft capable of routine delivery of outsize cargo (tanks, helicopters, etc.) to short, austere airfields. The aircraft can carry up to 102 troops, 36-liter patients or 18 standard 463-L pallets. The C-17 can perform the entire spectrum of airlift missions and is specifically designed to operate effectively and efficiently in both strategic and theater environments. Not only can the C-17 deliver outsize cargo to austere tactical environments, but it also reduces ground time during air and land operations. Strategic Airlift provides essential flexibility when responding to contingencies on short notice anywhere in the world. It is a major element of America's national security strategy and constitutes the most responsive means of meeting mobility requirements. Specific tasks associated with the airlift mission include deployment, employment, sustaining support, retrograde, aeromedical evacuation, and combat redeployment. The C-17 will perform this airlift mission well into this century. C-17 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) funding efforts include but not limited to Aircraft performance improvements, aircraft mission execution and airspace access mandates (i.e. Communications/Navigation Improvements); flight test activities and facilities; development of solutions for obsolescence and safety of flight issues; systems engineering/program support; support for avionics laboratories; software development, test and integration; block development/change management; developments of solutions for needed upgrades to combat obsolescence and safety of flight issues; and proposal preparation for new projects. Funding supports efforts that include but not limited to Flight Deck Replacement (FDR), Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS), Aircraft Connectivity, and fuel efficiency, and studies to assess survivability efforts of different defensive systems not equipped on C-17 aircraft. Funding request includes Rapid Global Mobility (RGM) platform-related rapid capability development process activities including early planning, analysis and systems engineering activities which provide linkages between operation needs, system performance requirements, technology needs and opportunities, potential lifecycle costs and enabling the technical foundation for material development. This requirement supports performance of a full financial audit as requirement by title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D. The FY 2026 request for C-17A Aircraft includes $76,514 thousand of discretionary and $4,410 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $80,924 thousand. The mandatory funds development activities for aircraft connectivity. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20007 (Air Superiority) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY 2024 $0.500 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $1.275 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (5)