C-17 Globemaster III vs Airbus A300-600ST Beluga
Top speed, range, size and history side by side. Each was built for its own job, so this shows how they differ, not which is better.
The C-17 Globemaster III is faster: 830 km/h against 780 km/h for the Airbus A300-600ST Beluga. The C-17 Globemaster III flies further: 4,480 km against 2,779 km for the Airbus A300-600ST Beluga. The C-17 Globemaster III has the wider wingspan: 51.8 m against 44.8 m for the Airbus A300-600ST Beluga. The C-17 Globemaster III is heavier at takeoff: 265 tonnes against 155 tonnes for the Airbus A300-600ST Beluga. The C-17 Globemaster III first flew in 1991, 3 years before the Airbus A300-600ST Beluga (1994).
| C-17 Globemaster III | Airbus A300-600ST Beluga |
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| Top speed | 830 km/h (516 mph) | 780 km/h (485 mph) |
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| Range | 4,480 km (2,784 miles) | 2,779 km (1,727 miles) |
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| Length | 53 m (174 ft) | 56.2 m (184 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 51.8 m (170 ft) | 44.8 m (147 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 265 t (584,219 lb) | 155 t (341,713 lb) |
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| First flight | 1991 | 1994 |
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| Crew and capacity | 77.5 t payload | 2 crew, 47 t of cargo |
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| Engines | 4 × F117 turbofan | 2 × General Electric CF6 turbofan |
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| Built by | McDonnell Douglas / Boeing | Airbus |
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| Country | USA | Europe |
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