Designed by McDonnell Douglas as a military transport aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster III was first flown on September 15, 1991. This enormous aircraft is used for strategic airlift of cargo and troops, and is capable of rapidly deploying and sustaining combat troops in potential battle areas. Among its many additional uses are medical evacuation, airdrop and tactical airlift. Powered by four reversible turbofan engines, the C-17 requires a crew of just three (a pilot, copilot and loadmaster). Its Maximum payload is 170,900 pounds and it is capable of carrying and dropping 102 paratroopers and their equipment.