Air Force Expects Next-Generation Airlifter in Service by Early 2040s

But the C-17 and C-5 will need to remain viable for decades.

Zach Vasile

Monday, December 01, 2025 at 12:10 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Staff Sergeant John Eller conducts preflight checks on a C-17 Globemaster III. [Credit: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force plans for its Next Generation Airlift (NGAL) aircraft to achieve initial operational capability by fiscal year 2041, with production aiming for 2038, provided funding and acquisition proceed smoothly.
To mitigate risks associated with NGAL development, existing C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III fleets must maintain operational viability for decades, with the C-5 flying until at least 2045 and the C-17 until 2075.
The NGAL is intended to replace the C-5 fleet first, followed by the C-17 fleet, on a one-for-one basis, with future designs prioritizing speed, agility, and navigation in high-threat environments.

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The U.S. Air Force says it could have a next-generation military transport aircraft in service as soon as fiscal year 2041, but it still wants its two main workhorses, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III and the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, up and running for decades to come.

If the acquisition process moves smoothly with no breaks in funding, the planned new aircraft, known by the military as the Next Generation Airlift (NGAL), could be in production by fiscal year 2038, with initial operational capability reached about three years later, according to a recent Air Mobility Command (AMC) memo. As the NGAL is phased in, however, the C-17 and the C-5 will have to continue flying missions.