Golden Age Weaponsmiths C-17 Globemaster III:

Introduced in Nineteen Ninety-Three, the McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) C-17 Globemaster III was one of the primary transport aircraft used by the United States Military and was not completely replaced in United States Military service until forty years before the coming of the Rifts although used mostly for second line transport duties. Some were retained in storage to supplement more modern aircraft in case of a conflict even though generally considered obsolete. It mostly filled the strategic heavy transport role with the much larger C-5 Galaxy performing the truly heavy transport roles. Hundreds were built and in addition to the United States, a number of other nations operated these transport aircraft including Canada, Australia, and United Kingdom. Boeing attempted to sell the aircraft to civilian interests but there was little interest at the time.

Because some of the hangers which these transports were stored were quite well protected, a surprising number of these aircraft survived the coming of the Rifts and have been found by various groups. Both United States and Canadian aircraft have been recovered. Golden Age Weaponsmiths have refitted a number of these aircraft for service. Due to their comparatively low price when compared to new aircraft, several independent nations and mercenary companies have purchased these aircraft. Even some have been purchased for non military service for cargo transport. Still, the aircraft have not sold as well as the C-27J Spartan and C-130 Hercules. As such, it is not likely that Golden Age Weaponsmiths will consider a new production version of the C-17 Globemaster III.

The C-17 Globemaster III was a very capable design. Designed for relatively short take off and landing, they can land on shorter runways C-141 Starlifter which the C-17 Globemaster III replaced. In addition, they were designed for easier than previous aircraft. Other features include approximately double the cargo capacity and slightly longer range than the C-141 Starlifter. While they are marginally slower than the C-141 Starlifter. and can carry fewer actual passengers than the Starlifter, they can still carry a sizeable number of passengers and retain the ability to be used for paratrooper drops. They only require a crew of three compared to five for the older C-141 Starlifter. The Globemaster is far more maneuverable than what one might expect from a cargo aircraft and was the first transport aircraft designed with fly by wire flight controls and heads up displays. The aircraft has two special winglets that allows the aircraft to fly at slower speeds before reaching stall speed.

Converting these aircraft is similar to how Golden Age Weaponsmiths converts other aircraft designs although simplified by the fact that the aircraft are not designed for combat service. The original skin of the aircraft is largely stripped away and replaced by high strength composites and alloys. In addition, the aircraft's avionics and engines in most case have to be reconditioned and in some cases completely rebuilt. As with most aircraft serving in the Twenty-First Century, it was certified to operate on bio-fuels.

This aircraft can carry up to eighty-five tons of cargo, one hundred and forty passengers, or one hundred and two paratroopers, or up to thirty six litters (for medical transport.) Light combat vehicles can also be carried and in some cases even heavier vehicles such as tanks can be carried. Like most cargo aircraft, the aircraft has large ramp in the rear for cargo and has two doors for paratroopers on either side of the body behind the aircrafts wings. The aircraft does not have an ejection system for the crew so in case of emergency the crew must have a jet pack or a parachute to survive bailing from the aircraft.

Model Number: C-17
Vehicle Type: Quad Engine Transport Aircraft
Crew: Three (Two Pilots and Loadmaster)
Troops/Passengers: 140 (In place of cargo) or 102 Paratroopers

M.D.C. by Location:

	Cargo Door	200
	[1] Wings (2):	260 each
	[2] Elevators (2):	125 each
	[2] Rudder:	125
	Cockpit:	155
	[3] Engines (4):	125
	Landing Gear (5):	10 each
	[4] Main Body:	510

Notes:
[1] Destroying a wing will cause the plane to crash.
[2] Destruction of rudders or one elevator will still allow the aircraft to be controlled by the varying of power levels of the engines but transport has a penalty of -10 to dodge, and a -30% penalty to all piloting rolls. Destruction of both of the elevators will leave the plane uncontrollable and aircraft crew must evacuate to survive
[3] The destruction of one engine will reduce the transports top speed by one quarter and give the pilot a -2 penalty to dodge as well as giving a 5% penalty to piloting. The destruction of additional engines will give cumulative penalties. Destruction of all four engines will cause the aircraft to crash. Pilot may attempt a emergency landing or bomber crew can choose to eject.
[4] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the aircraft down completely, rendering it useless and causing it to crash if in flight.

Speed:
Driving on Ground (Taxiing): Only possible for take offs and landings as well as for parking and storage. Speed is 40 mph (64 kph) when traveling and not on take off or landing. Aircraft can land and take off from primitive runways.
Flying: The Globemaster III can reach a top speed of 515 mph (829 kph / 447 knots). The aircraft does not have an afterburner and the aircrafts normal cruise speed is 400 mph (643.7 kph / 347.6 knots) but varies on situation. The Globemaster has a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters)
Range: 2,800 nautical miles (3,225 miles / 5,190 kilometers) with maximum payload. The C-17 Globemaster III has approximately 25% better range when the aircraft is non carrying any cargo. The C-17 Globemaster III can be refueled in the air.

Statistical Data:
Height: 55 feet 1 inch (16.79 meters)
Wingspan: 175 feet (50.29 meters)
Length: 173 feet 11 inches (53.04 meters)
Weight: 269,000 pounds (122,016 kg) empty and 580,000 pounds (263,083 kg) maximum takeoff weight
Power System: Conventional, Four 41,700 pound (18,915 kg) dry thrust Pratt & Whitney F117-P-100 turbofans, uses aviation fuel.
Cargo: 85 tons (77.1 metric tons) in cargo bay
Black Market Cost: 3.5 million credits

Weapon Systems (Military Versions):

One (1) Anti-Missile Chaff/Flare Dispenser: Use the same effects as the TRIAX model. However, each time the system is engaged, the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not operate against Phase World missiles due to technological difference. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20% to rolls for smart missiles.)
Effect:
01-50 Enemy missile or missile volley detonates in chaff cloud - Missiles are all destroyed.
51-75 Enemy missile or missile volley loses track of real target and veers away in wrong direction (May lock onto another target.)
76-00 No effect, enemy missile or missile volley is still on target.
Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind flying monsters that fly through cloud. They will suffer the following penalties: reduce melee attacks/actions, combat bonuses, and speed by half. Duration: 1D4 melee rounds.
Payload: 20 chaff, 40 flares. Each time the system is engaged, the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares.

Combat Bonuses:

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[ Beyond the Supernatural®, Heroes Unlimited®, Nightbane®, Ninjas & Superspies®, Palladium Fantasy®, and Rifts® are registered trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]

Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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