The McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster III is the latest addition to the US Air Mobility Command, designed to replace the C-141, complement the C-5 as a strategic heavy transport, and replicate some of the C-130's tactical capabilities. As such, the C-17 follows the now-standard high-set wing configuration with a T-wing and side fairings for the landing gear but adds winglets for additional stability as well as a much larger cabin volume relative to the similarly-sized C-141. Perhaps its greatest asset, however, is its ability to operate even on unprepared airstrips, an advantage which has proven vital in view of the US's recent military commitments around the world. Despite a difficult development history, the C-17 has now established itself as the AMC's foremost transport and its success has not been ignored elsewhere: it has recently been acquired by the UK, Australia and Canada as well as having a number of additional potential customers including a collective NATO purchase currently being discussed.

The first C-17 took to the air on 15 September 1991 after over a decade of development (the original USAF requirement originated in 1980 and McDonnell Douglas was selected as the winner one year later). It entered production as the C-17A with no other variants so far developed and entered service in 1994.