The US Department of State has approved a potential $540-million sale of sustainment services and related equipment for Canada’s fleet of C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlifters.
This includes aircraft maintenance support equipment, ground handling equipment, spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return support.
The package is intended to help maintain the operational readiness of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s five C-17 aircraft, the first of which entered service in 2007. Boeing will serve as the principal contractor.
“The proposed sale will improve Canada’s capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring the operational readiness of the Royal Canadian Air Force,” the US Department of State stated.
“Its C-17 aircraft fleet provides strategic airlift capabilities that directly support U.S. and coalition operations around the world.”
C-17 Globemaster III
Introduced into service in 1995, the C-17 Globemaster III is designed for tactical airlift, airdrop operations, and aeromedical evacuation missions.
The aircraft can carry up to 170,900 pounds (77,519 kilograms) of cargo or transport as many as 100 paratroopers, enabling the rapid movement of personnel and equipment to main operating bases or directly to forward-deployed locations.
Operated by a crew of two pilots and a loadmaster, the C-17 is powered by four Pratt & Whitney PW2000 turbofan engines.
The aircraft has a top speed of 450 knots (518 miles/833 kilometers per hour), a range of 2,420 nautical miles (2,785 miles/4,482 kilometers), and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters).
In addition to Canada and the US, the aircraft is operated by Australia, India, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, among others.
