Why the C-17 will never take off from an aircraft carrier—it’s not about power, but the complexity of the design and physics involved. The C-17 Globemaster is among the largest military aircraft ever built. Its wings span about 52 meters—longer than an Olympic pool—and it weighs as much as roughly 50 cars. An aircraft carrier’s deck is only about 300 meters long, while a C-17 needs nearly 2 kilometers to take off. Even with a catapult, it couldn’t reach the required speed. Its landing gear isn’t built for carrier landings, and its wings don’t fold like naval aircraft. It’s essentially like trying to launch a truck off a balcony—simply not possible.(Historic Vids)