C17
C17, C-17 or C.17 may refer to:- [[Transportation#Air|C17 (aircraft)]], including the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport
- [[Transportation#Land|C17 (land transport)]]
- [[Transportation#Water|C17 (water transport)]]
- [[Science and technology#Computing|C17 (computing)]]
- [[Science and technology#Electrical engineering|C17 (electrical engineering)]]
- [[Other uses|C17 (other uses)]]
- [[Chronology|C17 (chronology)]]
Transportation
Air
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft developed by McDonnell Douglas, later acquired by Boeing, primarily for the United States Air Force (USAF) to fulfill strategic and tactical airlift roles.[1][2] Development of the C-17 program began in 1981 as the C-X initiative, succeeding the earlier Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) efforts from the 1970s, with the goal of replacing aging aircraft like the C-141 Starlifter while providing enhanced short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities.[3][4] The aircraft's first flight occurred on September 15, 1991, followed by initial delivery to the USAF in June 1993 and entry into operational service on January 17, 1995.[1][5] Production continued until 2015, with a total of 279 units built at the Long Beach facility, the last delivery occurring on November 29, 2015. In 2025, Boeing confirmed early discussions on restarting C-17 production in response to increasing global demand.[2][3][6] The C-17 is designed for versatile missions, including strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main bases, tactical delivery to forward areas, airdrops of paratroopers and equipment up to 110,000 pounds, and aeromedical evacuation supporting up to 36 litter patients plus 54 ambulatory ones.[1][2] It features advanced short-field performance, capable of operating on runways as short as 3,500 feet long and 90 feet wide, or even backing up using thrust reversers to maneuver in confined spaces without ingesting debris.[5][7] Powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines, each providing 40,440 pounds of thrust, the aircraft achieves a maximum speed of 450 knots (Mach 0.74) at 28,000 feet and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet.[1][7] Its unrefueled range is approximately 2,400 nautical miles with a full payload of 170,900 pounds, extendable to over 6,000 nautical miles without payload via in-flight refueling.[2][5] Key specifications of the C-17 Globemaster III include the following:| Dimension/Feature | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Length | 174 ft (53 m) |
| Wingspan | 169.8 ft (51.74 m) |
| Height | 55.1 ft (16.79 m) |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight | 585,000 lb (265,352 kg) |
| Maximum Payload | 170,900 lb (77,519 kg) |
| Engines | 4 × Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofans |
Land
The Queensland Railways C17 class consists of 4-8-0 steam locomotives designed as an improved superheated version of the earlier C16 class, built primarily for narrow-gauge operations in Australia.[9] A total of 227 units were produced between 1920 and 1953 by several manufacturers, including the North Ipswich Railway Workshops (16 locomotives), Walkers Limited (138), Evans, Anderson, Phelan & Co. (28), Armstrong Whitworth (25), and Clyde Engineering (20).[10] These locomotives were employed for a wide range of services on the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge network, including heavy freight such as coal trains from Gladstone, passenger services like the air-conditioned Inlander and Westlander until 1948, mail trains, suburban runs, and branch line duties.[9] Their low axle load allowed operation on lighter tracks with sharp curves, making them versatile across Queensland's diverse terrain.[11] Introduced following World War I to address growing coal traffic demands on the expanding rail network, the C17 class quickly became the most numerous and reliable workhorse in Queensland Railways' fleet, handling approximately 90% of goods loads typically assigned to larger B18¼ class locomotives while also supporting lighter passenger operations.[9] The first unit, No. 15, entered service on August 12, 1920, and the class proved adaptable to the state's challenging environments, contributing to rail expansion along lines like the North Coast Railway after 1924.[10] Withdrawals began in 1954 as diesel locomotives took over, with the last six units retired on August 26, 1970, though some continued shunting duties until March 1972.[9] Several C17 locomotives have been preserved for heritage operations, including at the Southern Downs Steam Railway, Mary Valley Rattler, and Zig Zag Railway. For instance, No. 971, built in 1950 by Walkers Limited and retired in 1969, was restored to mainline operational condition by 2008 and, following maintenance in 2025, remains available for tourist excursion runs.[12] Key technical specifications of the C17 class, which evolved slightly over production with modifications like increased boiler pressure from 1935 onward, are summarized below:| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Wheel Arrangement | 4-8-0 (Mastodon type) |
| Driving Wheel Diameter | 45 in (1,143 mm) |
| Boiler Pressure | 175 psi (1,207 kPa) |
| Cylinders | 17 in × 22 in (432 mm × 559 mm), two outside |
| Tractive Effort | 21,016 lbf (93.5 kN) |
| Water Capacity | 3,050 imperial gallons (13,865 L) |
| Coal Capacity | 8 long tons (8.13 t) |
| Top Speed | Approximately 45 mph (72 km/h) |
| Grate Area | 18.5 sq ft (1.72 m²) |