Boeing C-17 Globemaster III vs Airbus Defence and Space C-295
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Airbus Defence and Space C-295 are both transport & tanker, compared here on public specifications. The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III leads on max speed (830 vs 480 km/h).
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Full data
Full spec sheet
 Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
Wins 4/8 |  Airbus Defence and Space C-295
Wins 4/8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Max speed (km/h) | 830 km/h ✓ | 480 km/h |
| Cruise speed (km/h) | 830 km/h | N/A |
| Range (km) | 4,482 km | 5,400 km ✓ |
| Service ceiling (m) | 13,716 m ✓ | 9,144 m |
| Physical | ||
| Length (m) | 53 m | 24.5 m |
| Empty weight (kg) | 128,100 kg | 11,200 kg |
| Combat weight (kg) | 265,350 kg | 23,200 kg |
| Crew | 3 | 3 |
| Cargo payload (kg) | 77,519 kg ✓ | 9,250 kg |
| Troop capacity | 102 ✓ | 71 |
| Propulsion | ||
| Thrust (kN) | 180 kN | N/A |
| Program | ||
| Unit cost (USD) | $340,000,000 | $40,000,000 ✓ |
| Units built | 279 | 285 ✓ |
| Operator countries | 8 | 40 ✓ |
Frequently asked questions
Which is faster, Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and Airbus Defence and Space C-295? +
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is the fastest of the 2 compared here, at 830 km/h.
Which has the longer range? +
The Airbus Defence and Space C-295 has the longest range at 5,400 km.
Which is cheaper? +
The Airbus Defence and Space C-295 has the lower public unit-cost figure at 40,000,000 USD. Treat this as directional, defense pricing varies by contract and configuration.
Which has the higher cargo payload? +
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III has the higher cargo payload at 77,519 kg.
Which has the higher service ceiling? +
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III has the higher service ceiling at 13,716 m.
Which has the higher troop capacity? +
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III has the higher troop capacity at 102.
Is the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III better than the Airbus Defence and Space C-295? +
On the public specs we track, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III leads on 4 of 6 headline metrics, see the full spec sheet for the metric-by-metric breakdown.
Where does this comparison data come from? +
Every figure in the table is sourced from public manufacturer pages, defense-ministry releases and reference publications, and is verifiable on each system's spec page. WeaponSpecs does not accept vendor placement.
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