Military Airlift: C-17 Aircraft Program (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised June 5, 2007 |
| Report Number |
RL30685 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Christopher Bolkcom, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
The C-17 Globemaster III is a long-range cargo/transport aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force since 1993. Congress approved development of the aircraft in the late 1970s, when it was recognized that the Air Force did not have enough airlift capability. In 1981, the McDonnell Douglas C-17 emerged as winner of a competition with Boeing and Lockheed to develop a next-generation aircraft to replace C-130s and C-141s. Full-scale development of the C-17 got underway in 1986, but technical problems and funding shortfalls delayed the program, leading to slipped schedules and increased costs. Despite those difficulties, the C-17 has retained broad congressional support and enjoys strong Air Force and Army backing. Defense officials view the C-17 as essential because of its ability to fly long distances with large payloads yet still use smaller bases in remote areas. [â¦] DOD [Department of Defense] planned to end C-17 production at 180 aircraft in FY2007, but both authorizers and appropriators voiced concern over that plan. Appropriators provided $2 billion in un-requested funding to purchase 10 additional C-17 aircraft and directed DOD to fund the program in FY2008. The C-17 program is at the center of a number of airlift debates that confront policymakers. These issues include, but may not be limited to airlift needs and requirements, cost and budget, and industrial base issues.
