Just like he said... flaps extended, gear down (optional), thrust reversers deployed, and then 20,000 fpm descent.

Figured as much....

I mean, is this done as a combat maneuver only?

Flaps or gear not required. 20k down is easy at the right weight--TRs idle and full spoiler in-flight is standard in the manual for an emerg descent. I think the engineers designed it as a combat maneuver as well, but I can't back that up. Quite an amazing machine--should be for the price tag...

Jesus. I thought that was a typo at first... 20 thousand??? Forget pictures, I want video!

+1

Just tape the camera to the dash before you do the maneuver!! :) just kidding, I know you probably can't do it, but it would be awesome to see!!

You might want to watch this then... I found it some time ago and you reminded me of it - I guess this is what you were wanting to see.;)

Aviation Video: Boeing C-17 Globemaster III - Untitled

Years ago in Kittitas Valley while doing ground reference maneuvers I remember looking out and seeing a C-141 go by...underneath us! :eek: It was heading low level out to the Yakima Firing Center. Saw those pictures and even over 10 years later I knew exactly where that was!

I tried it to see what it took today and I had to get around 20 degrees nose low. I watched the video but didn't see any drastic pitch. Did I miss something or was it much flatter - more like falling out of the sky instead of diving out of the sky - with the TRs engaged?

USMCFLYR

Not exactly sure what you're asking, but if I remember correctly, maybe initially 30 deg down. And that all depends on what speed you start the maneuver at--the slower you are, the more initial nose down you can go to reach 320kt (target speed). After 320kt, VVI and pitch decrease. 2 or 4 TRs are available.