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Air Force

Design And Production Challenges Loom For C-5M, C-17 Replacement

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, March 12th, 2026

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Design And Production Challenges Loom For C-5M, C-17 Replacement

Pictured is a U.S. Air Force photo of C-17 aircraft with the 14th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska on Jan. 25 during Exercise Palmetto Reach.

Design and production challenges for a new, potentially stealthy airlifter loom large for the U.S. Air Force, the head of U.S. Transportation Command said on Thursday. Asked by Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) whether a strategic airlift program to replace the C-5M and C-17 could begin this year as a result of the upcoming Air Force fiscal 2027 budget request, Air Force Gen. Randall Reed responded that, while "strategic airlift is one of the most critical…

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