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Originally Posted by Aliantha
Oh well, I guess they're going to carry troops and things in it then. An aircraft like that would be useful when bringing emergency troops to our somewhat unsettled pacific island neighbours I would think.
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The Vietnam era C-130 is a propeller plane. Its long life because no other aircraft could perform its tasks. The C-17 is a jet version that can fly so much faster, carry maybe three times the cargo (by weight), and can still deploy to unfinished landing areas. No other aircraft that can deploy large cargos to unfinished landing strips and can do so under combat conditions. The C-17 can do this even with only a three man crew.
C-17 was another example of engineering mismanagement (and it was a long list) in MacDonnell Douglas. Massive delays on a plane that air forces so desperately needed in their primary mission - support. Meanwhile, politicians created the C-130J - latest version of a now pathetic propeller plane that was such a design disaster as to be thrown to National Guard Units and (last I had heard) could not deploy (squadron could not activate).
When it comes to military transport, C-17 would be the most versatile and useful aircraft. There is no other large transport that can deliver so close to combat, carry so much, and deliver so quickly.