Military Transport Planes

The tanker that turned a widebody airliner into a force multiplier

The Airbus A330 MRTT transformed the proven A330 airliner into one of the most capable aerial refueling and strategic transport platforms in service today. Combining long range, high fuel capacity, and multirole flexibility, it has become a cornerstone of modern air force logistics and global power projection.

The battlefield airlifter that goes where others can’t

The Alenia C-27J Spartan is a tactical military transport aircraft. It was designed and manufactured by Alenia Aermacchi, now part of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. The aircraft can carry up to 20 tons of cargo or 92 fully equipped troops. This plane was used extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq by the U.S., NATO allies, and coalition partners as well as in other countries such as Australia, Canada, France and Italy for humanitarian missions after natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.

Civil and military transport aircraft introduced in 1959

The Antonov An-12 is a turboprop medium-range, four-engined, cargo and paratroop transport aircraft manufactured by Antonov and primarily used by the Soviet Air Force. The An-12 is the military variant of the An-10.

The largest turboprop powered aircraft in the world.

Produced in response to a military requirement of Soviet Union for a strategic airlifter, the An-22 is a military transport aircraft manufactured by Antonov. The great Antonov AN-22 still holds the record as being the largest turboprop aircraft yet built.

Military transport aircraft introduced in 1955

The Blackburn Beverley was manufactured by Blackburn and General Aircraft as a British military transport aircraft during the 1950s. It first flew in June 1950 and was introduced in 1955. The aircraft was operated by squadrons of the Royal Air Force Transport Command from 1957 to 1967. It was produced from 1950 to 1958 with a total of 49 Beverleys built.

The strategic airlifter built to move armies across the globe

The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III was developed to combine intercontinental range with tactical flexibility. Designed to carry heavy equipment directly into austere airfields, it became one of the most capable military transport aircraft ever built and a cornerstone of modern strategic airlift.

The military variant of the Boeing 737-700C Next Generation airline transport.

The Boeing C-40A Clipper is a multi-talented aircraft designed and manufactured by Boeing and certified by Federal Aviation Administration as 737-700 convertible/combination aircraft configured for the transport of cargo and passengers all over the world. It provides critical logistic support in order to meet mission-sensitive needs.

Military transport of Convair introduced in 1950

The Convair C-131 Samaritan was introduced in 1950 as a military transport powered by two Pratt and Whitney engines. Produced by Convair from 1954 to 1956, the C-131 Samaritan’s primary users are the United States Air Force and the United States Navy, as well as the Paraguayan Air Force. The C-131 Samaritan is the military variant of the Convair CV-240 series.

The rugged transport that conquered the Himalayas

The Curtiss C-46 Commando became one of the most important transport aircraft of World War II, especially in the demanding China-Burma-India theater. Built to carry heavy loads over long distances, it earned a reputation for strength and endurance in some of the harshest flying conditions of the war.

Heavy-lift military transport aircraft, better known as Old Shaky

The Douglas C-124 Globemaster II also known as Old Shaky is a heavy-lift cargo aircraft designed by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It was the main heavy-lift transport of the United States Air Force Military Air Transport Service (MATS) in the 1950s and until the early 1960s.

Military transport aircraft of the Douglas Aircraft Company

The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster is a large turboprop military transport aircraft produced by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1956 to 1961. It was primarily designed to be in service with the United States Air Force and it was the sole production strategic airlifter powered by turboprop engines of the USAF.

Military transport aircraft developed from the civilian DC-3

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain is a military development of the civilian DC-3 aircraft. It was a military transport used widely by the Allies of World War II and had been in service with different military operators for several years.

Military transport aircraft introduced in 1942

The Douglas C-54 Skymaster is a military transport aircraft of the United States Army Air Force during the Second World War and the Korean War. It was a derivative of the civilian airliner DC-4 and was powered by four Pratt and Whitney radial engines. Aside from cargo transportation, the C-54 Skymaster was also used to transport presidents and prime ministers, as well as military staff.

Strategic airlifter of the Douglas Aircraft Company in the 1940s

The Douglas C-74 Globemaster was a heavy-lift cargo transport developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The aircraft was powered by four Pratt and Whitney R-4360-69 Wasp Major rated at 3,250 horsepower each.

The medium transport aircraft built for tactical military and special missions.

The EADS CASA C-295 is a twin-engine turboprop transport designed for tactical airlift. Introduced in the late 1990s, it serves military and government operators worldwide. The aircraft emphasizes short-field capability and mission flexibility.

The twinjet transport built for modern military airlift and refueling.

The Embraer KC-390 is a military transport and aerial refueling aircraft developed in Brazil. Introduced in the late 2010s, it combines jet performance with tactical airlift capability. The aircraft competes in the medium transport category.

Post-WWII military transport plane

Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar is a type of transport aircraft used by the American military which was developed during World War II. This was designed for carrying cargo, patients, personnel, and even mechanized equipment. This aircraft was also used to drop troops and cargo by using a parachute.

Military transport aircraft

Fairchild C-123 Provider is a transport aircraft for the American military, designed by Chase Aircraft. This was subsequently built by the Fairchild Aircraft Company for the US Air Force. In addition to the USAF services, it also went to serve most remarkably with the Coast Guard in the United States and some air forces in South East Asia. During the Vietnam War, this aircraft was utilized to spray Agent Orange.

The twin-boom transport built for postwar military airlift.

The Fairchild C-82 Packet was a twin-engine military transport developed in the immediate post–World War II period. Designed for cargo and troop transport, it featured a distinctive twin-boom configuration. The aircraft entered service in the late 1940s. This aircraft was utilized by the Army Air Forces in Unites States and then the successor USAF during World War II. This aircraft was named to recognize the packet boats which hauled passengers, freight, and mail, in Europe and its colonies and North American canals and rivers for around the 18th and 19th centuries.

The legendary failed development of Howard Hughes

The Hughes H-4 Hercules was developed and built by the Hughes Aircraft Company as a prototype strategic airlift flying boat. It was planned to be a transatlantic flight transport to be used in the course of the Second World War, however, it was not completed promptly to be in service during the war. On November 2, 1947, the aircraft performed its first and only flight and there was only one prototype produced.

¥ 4.8 billion twin-engine military transport aircraft.

The Kawasaki C-1 military transport aircraft has significantly contributed to the improvement of transportation capabilities of the Japan Air Self Defense Force. The aircraft was exclusively used by the JASDF in lieu of the ancient World War II Curtiss C-46 Commando fleet.

The modern Japanese strategic transport built for long-range airlift.

The Kawasaki C-2 is a twin-engine military transport developed for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Introduced in the 2010s, it replaced older transport aircraft with improved range and payload. The aircraft supports strategic airlift missions.

The strategic jet airlifter that modernized military transport.

The Lockheed C-141 Starlifter was developed as a jet-powered strategic transport for the U.S. Air Force. Entering service in the 1960s, it provided rapid intercontinental airlift capability. The aircraft replaced slower piston-powered transports.

The upgraded giant built to carry the heaviest loads across the globe

The Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy is the modernized version of the C-5 Galaxy, designed to extend the service life and performance of one of the largest military transport aircraft ever built. With new engines and updated systems, it remains a cornerstone of U.S. strategic airlift capability.

The modern evolution of the world’s most versatile airlifter

The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is the latest generation of the legendary Hercules transport family. Designed to improve performance, efficiency, and mission flexibility, it builds on decades of operational experience while introducing new engines, avionics, and systems suited for modern military operations.

The strategic airlifter built for heavy intercontinental transport.

The Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest military transport aircraft ever built. Entering service in the early 1970s, it was designed to carry oversized cargo across continents. The aircraft remains central to U.S. strategic airlift capability.

An air to air refueling tanker since 1980.

The KC-10 Extender is an aerial refueling tanker aircraft manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. It is developed to produce increased global mobility for the United States Air Force (USAF) and other alliance forces. The aircraft is designed for cargo and passenger use.

Important heavy transport aircraft for the Germans

The Messerschmitt Me 323 was manufactured by the German company Messerschmitt as a heavy military transport aircraft during the Second World War. It first flew in January 1942 and entered service in 1943. The aircraft was majorly used by the Luftwaffe and was a powered version of the cargo glider Me 321 Gigant. Me 323 was the biggest land-based transport aircraft during World War II. It was produced from 1942 to 1944 with a total number of 213 aircraft built.

Military transport aircraft as of the 1940s

The Vickers Valetta was built and manufactured by Vicker-Armstrong Ltd as a military transport aircraft in the late 1940s. The Valetta was designed featured an all-metal structure with mid-mounted wings, twin engines, and tailwheel-type landing gear. It was developed from the Vickers VC.1 Viking.

China’s heavy airlifter built for global reach

The Xian Y-20 is China’s first domestically developed strategic military transport aircraft. Designed to move heavy equipment and troops over long distances, it marks a major milestone in the modernization of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. With its large payload capacity and intercontinental range, it supports China’s growing global logistics ambitions.