The C-17: Modern Airlift Technology

Three SAE technical papers in recent years have addressed the C-17 program: “C-17 Technical Description” by Robert van't Riet, presented 8 March 1989, and “C-17 Flight Control System” by Alex Brown, and “Meeting the C-17 Reverse Thrust Requirements” by Frank Junkermann, both presented 3 October 1988. This paper provides an update of these previous presentations by members of the McDonnell Douglas C-17 team. The paper discusses technology adapted from commercial aircraft for military airlift; the military requirement to move large cargo items long distances and land on short runways, which drove C-17 design; and significant design alternatives and the solutions selected.