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In March 2006, the Australian government announced that the Australian Defence Forces would acquire up to 4 new Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift planes and associated equipment for A$ 2 billion ($1.49 billion then conversion). In April 2011, Australia upped their order to 5 aircraft, and will soon add a 6th plane to their fleet.
Since that first contract, RAAF C-17As have been rolling off the assembly line, arriving on or ahead of schedule, and flying the (un)friendly skies to support Australias military and humanitarian efforts around the globe. The first plane arrived in Australia in December 2006, and the 4th plane arrived in March 2008. Even that didnt mean C-17 expenses were done. Ongoing maintenance, training facilities, and more must still be paid for, and Australia liked the Globemasters so much that it decided to buy more.
Boeings C-17 Globemaster III was in competition with the Airbus A400M to become Australias next-generation transport aircraft. While the A400Ms flyaway price tag of USD$ 120 million or so would be approximately half that of a C-17, in return for about half the payload and two-thirds of the cargo volume. Australias M1 Abrams tanks would not be transportable in an A400M. Indeed, the Long Beach Press-Telegram quoted industry observers who said that the C-17s ability to tote Australias M1 Abrams tanks and CH-47 Chinook helicopters won over the Australian government. Another consideration was the fact that the rival A400M lacked even a test model at the time the decision was made. In hindsight, Airbus subsequent program delays have only validated the ADFs choice of the heavier Boeing jet.
Australias government sums up their choice as follows: One C-17A can carry up to four C-130 Hercules loads in a single lift, and cover twice the distance in three-quarters of the time of a C-130.
C-17s are very capable planes. The maximum payload capacity of the C-17 is 170,900 lb (77,500 kg), and its maximum gross takeoff weight is 585,000 lb (265,350 kg). With a payload of 160,000 lb (72,600 kg) and an initial cruise altitude of 28,000 ft (8,500 m), the C-17 has an unrefueled range of 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 km). The C-17 is designed to operate from runways as short as 3,000 ft (900 m) and as narrow as 90 ft (27 m). In addition, the C-17 can operate out of unpaved, unimproved runways (although this is rarely done due to the increased possibility of damage to the aircraft). The thrust reversers can be used to back the aircraft and reverse direction on narrow taxiways using a three-point (or in some cases, multi-point) turn maneuver.
The C-17 is designed to airdrop up to 102 paratroopers and equipment. In Australian terms, it ca also can carry one 60-ton M1 Abrams tank, as well as loads ranging from 5 Bushmaster infantry vehicles to 3 Tiger reconnaissance/attack helicopters.
Australia became the C-17 Globemaster IIIs 3rd customer, after the USA and Britain. A slew of orders from other countries ensured that they were not the last customer, and helped keep the production line busy long enough to allow further Australian orders. Australia is basing No. 36 Squadrons C-17s at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley near Brisbane, which will become the primary base for both its new C-17s and its A330 MRTT tanker aircraft. Amberly was home to Australias F-111 fighter/bomber fleet, and is undergoing the infrastructure upgrades required for these new roles.
Since that first contract, RAAF C-17As have been rolling off the assembly line, arriving on or ahead of schedule, and flying the (un)friendly skies to support Australias military and humanitarian efforts around the globe. The first plane arrived in Australia in December 2006, and the 4th plane arrived in March 2008. Even that didnt mean C-17 expenses were done. Ongoing maintenance, training facilities, and more must still be paid for, and Australia liked the Globemasters so much that it decided to buy more.
Boeings C-17 Globemaster III was in competition with the Airbus A400M to become Australias next-generation transport aircraft. While the A400Ms flyaway price tag of USD$ 120 million or so would be approximately half that of a C-17, in return for about half the payload and two-thirds of the cargo volume. Australias M1 Abrams tanks would not be transportable in an A400M. Indeed, the Long Beach Press-Telegram quoted industry observers who said that the C-17s ability to tote Australias M1 Abrams tanks and CH-47 Chinook helicopters won over the Australian government. Another consideration was the fact that the rival A400M lacked even a test model at the time the decision was made. In hindsight, Airbus subsequent program delays have only validated the ADFs choice of the heavier Boeing jet.
Australias government sums up their choice as follows: One C-17A can carry up to four C-130 Hercules loads in a single lift, and cover twice the distance in three-quarters of the time of a C-130.
C-17s are very capable planes. The maximum payload capacity of the C-17 is 170,900 lb (77,500 kg), and its maximum gross takeoff weight is 585,000 lb (265,350 kg). With a payload of 160,000 lb (72,600 kg) and an initial cruise altitude of 28,000 ft (8,500 m), the C-17 has an unrefueled range of 2,800 nautical miles (5,200 km). The C-17 is designed to operate from runways as short as 3,000 ft (900 m) and as narrow as 90 ft (27 m). In addition, the C-17 can operate out of unpaved, unimproved runways (although this is rarely done due to the increased possibility of damage to the aircraft). The thrust reversers can be used to back the aircraft and reverse direction on narrow taxiways using a three-point (or in some cases, multi-point) turn maneuver.
The C-17 is designed to airdrop up to 102 paratroopers and equipment. In Australian terms, it ca also can carry one 60-ton M1 Abrams tank, as well as loads ranging from 5 Bushmaster infantry vehicles to 3 Tiger reconnaissance/attack helicopters.
Australia became the C-17 Globemaster IIIs 3rd customer, after the USA and Britain. A slew of orders from other countries ensured that they were not the last customer, and helped keep the production line busy long enough to allow further Australian orders. Australia is basing No. 36 Squadrons C-17s at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Amberley near Brisbane, which will become the primary base for both its new C-17s and its A330 MRTT tanker aircraft. Amberly was home to Australias F-111 fighter/bomber fleet, and is undergoing the infrastructure upgrades required for these new roles.
