The US Air Force's Plan To Fly The C-17 Until 2075 While Its Replacement Exists Only On Paper

Published Sep 10, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT Aaron is an aviation enthusiast and world traveler with a deep interest in aerospace history and technology. He has traveled around the world numerous times, often incorporating visits to aviation museums and historic aircraft collections into his journeys. A native of New Zealand, he is an expert in aviation and maintains a broad interest in a variety of other subjects. The United States Air Force (USAF) has begun efforts to replace its C-17 and C-5M airlifters, but the program is in its infancy. In the Fiscal 2027 documents, the Air Force says, "We also are investing in long distance over the horizon communications and protection 6 and airlift service life extension programs as we explore next-generation airlift options." The documents explain that the need for the new aircraft stems from both the challenges of an aging fleet and future contested logistics (especially over the Asia-Pacific) that will make them vulnerable. The successor aircraft is envisioned to transport heavy, outsized, and oversized cargo while offering next-generation fuel efficiency and rapid cargo handling in contested environments. The Analysis of Alternatives is expected in Fiscal 2027, with the program on an accelerated timeline to deliver the first aircraft as early as Fiscal 2038 and achieve Initial Operational Capability by Fiscal 2041. Even so, it may not be able to fully replace the C-17 for 50 years. Exploratory Stages For NGAL Credit: US Air Force The US Air Force is currently in the early stages of designing a replacement for its C-17A Globemaster III and C-5M Galaxy strategic airlifters. These two airlifters are a vital backbone in the US's ability to sustain its global commitments and project power around the world. But they will eventually need to be replaced. The current high tempo of operations, including 2026's Operation Epic Fury and other efforts, has placed more stress on the fleet. The Air Force is believed to be in the process of formulating requirements for the replacement aircraft, called the Next Generation Airlift (NGAL). The Air Force is emphasizing greater speed and operational flexibility, and a platform that can better defend itself both in the air and when parked on the ground. Currently, the plan is for NGAL to enter service in the early or mid-2040s and then be a one-for-one replacement for its fleet of 52 C-5Ms and 222 C-17As. The Super Galaxies would be the first to be replaced, followed by the Globemasters. Current planning foresees the C-17A fleet not being fully phased out until 2075. Air Force's NGAL Request For Information Credit: US Air Force In a request for information, the Air Force is seeking the industry to submit capability information in support of market research related to the program. It says the Air Force is in the early stages of identifying the requirements for NGAL. It says, "This Request for Information (RFI) is an opportunity for Industry to provide information on their developed concepts and technological capabilities that could shape the future of strategic airlift for the nation." The document noted that the US Air Force has a continuing need to maintain and enhance its global strategic airlift capabilities to "support force projection, humanitarian relief, and special operations across the full spectrum of military operations." It explains that the NGAL program is seeking to identify and mature the technologies and concepts needed to field a platform that would offer significant improvements in capacity, range, efficiency, connectivity, survivability, and operational flexibility. Specification C-17 Globemaster III C-5M Super Galaxy NGAL (minimum requirement) Wingspan 169.8 feet (51.75 meters) 222.8 feet (67.9 meters) Less than 223 feet (68 meters) Maximum payload 170,900 lbs (77.5 tonnes) 281,000 lbs (127.5 tonnes) At least 160,000 lbs (80 tonnes) Payload at 2,500 nautical miles 160,000+ lbs (80 tonnes) 160,000+ lbs (80 tonnes) 160,000 lbs minimum (80 tonnes) Unrefueled range with payload 2,400-2,500 nautical miles 2,500+ nautical miles At least 2,500 nautical miles The request for information also says all proposed aircraft must have a wingspan of less than 223 feet (68 meters) and have the ability to carry a minimum payload of 160,000 lbs (80 tonnes) over a distance of at least 2,500 nautical miles unrefueled. The maximum wingspan is the same as the Super Galaxy's wingspan. It must be able to seamlessly integrate into current US mobility operations. Threats Later In The Century Credit: US Air Force The Air and Space Forces Magazine has noted that whatever replaces the Air Force's C-17s and C-5Ms will need to do much more than just fly cargo and passengers. It says, "As Air Force officials eye increasingly sophisticated anti-aircraft threats from rivals such as China and Russia, one priority is for future airlift platforms to 'make sense of the environment.'" The request for information also asks prospective vendors to answer a range of questions, such as the maximum cargo capacity (volume, weight, pallet positions), whether it can accommodate standard 463L pallets and outsized cargo, projected performance characteristics, if it can operate from austere runways, its fuel efficiency, and more. Early in the Ukraine conflict, most Russian aviation losses were incurred in the air. But over time, more and more losses have occurred on the ground. Russia has now lost multiple Il-76 transport aircraft on the ground as well as a substantial share of its strategic/long-range bomber fleet. The US Air Force also suffered multiple KC-135s damaged on the ground and various other aircraft destroyed including a rare E-3 Sentry AEW&Cs. In a future conflict with China, China is expected to possess a much greater ability to target aircraft on the ground (e.g., in Guam). NGAL To Survive Future Threat Environments Credit: US Air Force For NGAL, the Air Force needs to plan for what adversary capabilities are likely to be in the second half of the century. That is difficult, but the Air Force has warned that anti-air missiles with enormous ranges could exist by 2050. This seems likely as the Air Force is currently investigating how to develop an air-to-air missile with a range of 1,000 nautical miles. China is known to be active in developing and fielding new air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles with growing range. But aircraft are particularly vulnerable while on the ground at forward bases. The head of AMC previously explained, "So, [we] don’t want to sit on the ground for three hours. If we could refuel in a lot faster timeline than that, not that it takes three hours to refuel a C-17, but, you know, three minutes would be better than 30 minutes." NGAL would use both onboard sensors and secure, long-range communications, allowing aircrews to plug into larger sensor networks. It will need defensive systems against longer-range weapons, allowing it to operate within a threat environment filled with ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles. As stated, it would have to spend as little time on the ground as possible. It is also unclear if it will share any DNA with the Air Force's future Next Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) to replace the aging KC-135 tanker. Sustaining The C-17 Fleet Credit: US Air Force As NGAL is a complete replacement in the distant future the Air Force must sustain its existing C-17 Globemaster III fleet. In Fiscal 2027, the Air Force is requesting $564.3 million for a "comprehensive modernization aimed at enhancing operational capabilities, addressing component obsolescence, and improving overall safety and reliability." The upgrades will focus on the flight deck and integrating advanced connectivity systems to boost situational awareness. Last year, the Air Force said it had no intentions of restarting C-17 production as an interim measure. However, the aircraft has been under more strain since, and Boeing believes export demand remains. In June 2026, Boeing said it had been "encouraged" by engagements related to restarting the production line. Congress has requested an investigation into the feasibility of restarting a modernized C-17. While Boeing shuttered the line in 2015, it has retained the facility and much of the tooling, although restarting production will be difficult. Last year, Boeing said that it was in talks with an unnamed country about possibly restarting C-17 production, although those talks were in their "early infancy." Meanwhile, Congress is requiring a report on "the technical and industrial feasibility of restarting the C-17 production line, including the status of tooling, supplier base viability, workforce availability, and potential reconstitution costs." The Likely Contractors For NGAL Credit: Northrop Grumman In practical terms, the request for information suggests the USAF is looking for a C-17-class replacement with improved efficiency and performance rather than a direct replacement for the much larger C-5M. Its next-generation improvements may be less in conventional capabilities (e.g., payload) and more in fast turnaround times (cargo unloading, refueling), integration with other systems, and defensive measures. When it comes to which contractors are likely to produce NGAL, Boeing is perhaps the favorite, as the incumbent builder of the C-17 with recent experience in large military transports. A strong contender could be Lockheed Martin, which built the C-5M Super Galaxies. A new entrant into the market is JetZero, which is already building a full-scale blended wing body demonstrator for the US Air Force. There is a chance Northrop Grumman could tender an option, although it's more likely to be a systems partner than an airframe prime contractor. It is worth noting that Northrop Grumman is working with JetZero to develop the blended wing body. Relevant foreign contractors include Airbus and Embraer, although they are unlikely to be prime contractors. The engines would most likely come from either GE Aerospace or Pratt & Whitney.