Master of the skies
Preview of new plane
Volume 11, No. 44, June 01, 2006
By Rebecca Codey

Giant: A C-17 at Canberra airport. Four of the aircraft will be introduced into service by the RAAF. Photos by Doc Doherty. FAST FACTS The C-17 Globemaster III is a highly reliable, long-range, heavy-lift aircraft. The cargo compartment is large enough to fit the equivalent of three Hercules-loads of pallets. The C-17 measures about 53m long with a 52m wingspan, 17m in height and weighs 265,000kg fully loaded. The ADF plans to operate the C-17 for the next 30 years.

SOME of Army’s top brass got the chance to inspect a C-17 Globemaster III – the aircraft capable of transporting Army’s newest hardware – in Canberra.

The US Air Force Globemaster was just visiting, but the RAAF’s first Globemaster will be delivered into service in just over six months.

Chief Capability Development Group Lt-Gen David Hurley, CEO DMO Steven Gumley and DCA Maj-Gen Ian Gordon were among those to see, first-hand, Australia’s future heavy airlift capability.

The Globemaster has the load capacity and range that will allow the ADF to rapidly deploy combat and sustainment vehicles and helicopters including Black Hawk, Sea Hawk, Tiger and Chinook as well as various combat vehicles including the M1A1 Abrams tank.

Acquisition of the aircraft is expected to deliver a new Responsive Global Airlift (RGA) capability, significantly enhancing the ADF’s ability to support national and international operations as well as major disaster rescue and relief efforts.

Commander Air Lift Group, Air-Cdre Glen Steed said visitors to the aircraft inspected the cargo area and flight deck. Members of the crew were on hand to describe aspects of the aircraft and their specialist roles.

“The day certainly proved highly successful as it provided senior people a chance to become familiar with the aircraft and better understand exactly what we will be acquiring in terms of enhanced airlift capability,” Air-Cdre Steed said.

The aircraft’s visit to Canberra was timely, with the Government allocating $1.9 billion in the recent budget to purchase up to four of the Globemasters.

Air-Cdre Steed said the RAAF’s C-17 program was progressing well.

“We have our first cadre of aircrew in the US currently undertaking C-17 training.”
Maintenance personnel will begin training in the US in August.