C-17A

The C-17A Modification Program is a critical line item in the Air Force's FY 2026 budget, supporting the sustainment and modernization of the C-17 Globemaster III fleet. The overarching goal is to ensure the continued operational effectiveness, reliability, and safety of the 222-aircraft fleet through targeted upgrades and modifications. This program falls under Aircraft Procurement, specifically the Modification of Inservice Aircraft sub-activity, and is managed by the Air Force with allocations to the active, Guard, and Reserve components.

The C-17A fleet is essential for rapid global mobility, strategic airlift, and support for both military and civil contingency operations, with planned service life extending to 2050. The program's objectives include both procurement and capability improvement efforts. Key goals are to address obsolescence, enhance mission capability, and resolve safety issues. Funding supports rapid prototyping, fielding of new equipment, and technical solutions such as roll-on/roll-off and pod-based support equipment.

Additionally, the program targets diminishing manufacturing sources (DMS), fuel efficiency improvements, drag reduction, cockpit situational awareness, command and control upgrades, flight deck modernization, and structural enhancements. These modifications are justified by the need to maintain mission readiness, comply with evolving safety and regulatory standards, and support homeland defense and emergency response missions.

One of the largest individual efforts within this line item is the Replacement Heads-Up Display (RHUD) initiative. The RHUD retrofit is designed to replace the current, increasingly unsupportable HUD system on the C-17 with a modern, certified Primary Flight Reference display. This upgrade improves reliability, maintainability, and supportability, and provides a platform for future capability enhancements. The FY 2026 budget includes funding for the installation of RHUD kits on 36 aircraft, with procurement and installation activities managed through both contractor and depot facilities. The RHUD program also addresses DMS issues and supports compliance with financial audit requirements under Title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A.

Another significant objective is the Filter Fire Mitigation modification, which redesigns the On-Board Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS) II Shutoff Valve to a failsafe closed condition. This addresses a safety-of-flight issue, ensuring that the aircraft meets stringent operational safety standards. Funding for this effort is distributed across the active, Guard, and Reserve components, reflecting the total force approach to fleet sustainment and risk mitigation.

The line item also includes funding for Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications upgrades, Aircraft Connectivity enhancements, and Low-Cost Modifications. The BLOS initiative improves mission effectiveness by enabling secure, long-range communications capabilities, while Aircraft Connectivity upgrades enhance data bus maintenance and overall network integration. Low-Cost Modifications are targeted at incremental capability improvements and obsolescence resolution, providing flexibility to address emerging needs and technical challenges as they arise.

Training and simulation systems are also addressed through the C-17 Training System Modifications, including upgrades to simulator lateral motion maneuver capability and visual system field of view. These efforts are intended to maintain pilot proficiency and support evolving training requirements, ensuring that aircrew are prepared for the full spectrum of C-17 missions. The program also funds enhancements to training system hardware and software, supporting both operational and readiness objectives.