Which aircraft is used for strategic airlift?

• A. KC-30A
• B. F-35A
• C. E-7A Wedgetail
• D. C-17A Globemaster III

Answer: (D)

Strategic airlift moves large quantities of cargo and personnel over long distances to reach distant or dispersed theaters, and it often requires operating from a variety of airfields, including less-than-ideal ones. The C-17A Globemaster III is built for this role with a combination of long range, high payload capacity, and rugged field performance, enabling it to fly directly from home bases to distant operating areas and deliver troops and equipment where runways may be short or challenging.

The KC-30A, while capable of transport and also performing air-to-air refuelling, centers on its tanker/transport mix rather than being the primary strategic lift platform. The F-35A is a multirole fighter designed for combat missions, not for carrying large amounts of cargo. The E-7A Wedgetail is an airborne early warning and control aircraft, focused on surveillance and command-and-control tasks rather than transport.

Thus, for strategic airlift, the best fit is the C-17A Globemaster III.