C-17A Aircraft
C-17 program performs an 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 and is the only aircraft capable of routine delivery of outsize cargo (tanks, helicopters, etc.) to short, austere airfields. The C-17 aircraft can carry up to 102 troops, 36-litter patients or 18 standard 463-L pallets. The C-17 will perform it's airlift mission well into this century. Specific tasks associated with the airlift mission include deployment, employment, sustaining support, retrograde, aeromedical evacuation, and combat redeployment. C-17 Strategic Airlift provides essential flexibility when responding to contingencies on short notice anywhere in the world and is a major element of America's national security strategy and most responsive to meet mobility requirements. C-17 program funding supports efforts to 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; Flight Deck Replacement (FDR); Aircraft Connectivity; 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.
FY2026 plans — current year BLOS project closure activities and wrapping up Operational Testing reviews.
FY2027 planned work Continued flight test support for related technical and safety of flight issues, test planning, and test analysis activities.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding increased due to additional flight test support activities.
FY2026 plans — current year Flight test support for related technical and safety of flight issues, test planning, and test analysis activities.
FY2027 planned work Design, development, and integration activities for Starshield, Hybrid SATCOM, Avionics Rack, resilient Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), and Real-Time in Cockpit (RTIC).
FY2026 to FY2027 change Funding increased due to ramp up of contracting activities for scaled prototyping, design, development, and integration efforts for Starshield, Hybrid SATCOM, Mobility Air Forces mission systems, resilient PNT, and other efforts.
Continuation of engineering and manufacturing development to include but not limited to software development, data, cyber security, testing, integration laboratory updates, and other program support activities.
Read the FY2027 plan →