C‑17 vs KC‑46 at a Static Display: What to Observe

The C‑17 Globemaster III is a high‑wing, four‑engine heavy airlifter that can carry up to 164,900 pounds of cargo, including side‑by‑side tanks. It can fly over 6,200 nautical miles and perform a single drop of 60,000 pounds or multiple drops totaling 110,000 pounds. Its short‑field performance lets it land on austere runways, making it a reliable tactical airlift platform. (Primary source)

The KC‑46A Pegasus, built on the 767 freighter airframe, is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW4062 engines. It features an advanced boom with fly‑by‑wire control, as well as centerline and wing‑mounted hose‑and‑drogue systems. The aircraft can receive fuel to extend its own range and can refuel a wide range of U.S. and allied aircraft. (Primary source)

In addition to refueling, the KC‑46A can switch between cargo, passenger, and aeromedical evacuation configurations in about two hours, carrying up to 58 passengers—or 114 in contingency missions. These rapid‑conversion capabilities make it a multimission tanker and transport aircraft. (Primary source)

Airshow Spectacle Editorial Team

Airshow Spectacle Editorial Team

Author & Expert

Jason Michael, an ATP-rated pilot who flies the C-17 for the U.S. Air Force, is the editor of Airshow Spectacle. Articles on the site are researched, fact-checked, and reviewed before publication. Read our editorial standards or send a correction at the editorial policy page.

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