Written by: Timur Lesov

April 12, 2025

Updated on April 30, 2025

Cargo planes are essential to global logistics. They can move large loads quickly across continents. Their effectiveness relies heavily on standardized pallet systems. These systems help with loading, securing, and transporting goods. This analysis reviews the pallet capacities of important military and civilian cargo planes. It compares their capabilities and unique features.

Introduction to Aircraft Pallet Systems

Cargo planes use standardized pallets. This helps to streamline logistics, improve safety, and make the best use of cargo space. These systems have changed a lot since they first appeared. The military and civilian sectors have created special solutions for their specific needs.

The 463L Master Pallet System

The HCU-6/E, or 463L, is a standard military air cargo pallet system. It was created in the early 1960s to meet the needs of the “Materials Handling Support System.” These pallets measure 88 inches (220 cm) wide by 108 inches (270 cm) long, standing 2¼ inches (5.7 cm) high. The usable dimensions are slightly smaller at 84 by 104 inches (210 by 260 cm).

Each 463L pallet can hold up to 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg) of cargo. It distributes weight at a maximum of 250 pounds per square inch. Plus, it can withstand forces of up to 8g. Empty, each pallet weighs approximately 290 pounds (130 kg), or 355 pounds (161 kg) with nets. This system is much better than the lightweight balsa wood pallets the Air Force used before.

The 463L system isn’t just about pallets – it comes with nets, tie-down stuff, and special tools too. Military folks have to follow some strict rules when using these pallets. You can’t keep your stuff on them for storage longer than 3 days. The only time this rule doesn’t apply? When you’ve got specific mobility cargo that needs to be ready to go fast.

Military Cargo Aircraft Pallet Capacities

C-5 Galaxy/C-5M Super Galaxy

The C-5 Galaxy is a seriously big military transport aircraft. Check out what it can do:

It fits 36 standard pallets and can carry 81 troops at the same time. The cargo area is huge – 121 feet long, 19 feet wide, and 13.5 feet high. It can haul up to 281,001 pounds of stuff.

What makes the C-5 cool is its massive cargo hold with doors at both ends. You can load and unload from both sides at once, which really cuts down on time spent on the ground.

C-17 Globemaster III

The C-17 Globemaster III packs some serious heavy-lift power with great flexibility:

• It fits 18 fully-loaded 463L master pallets
• The cargo area runs 88 feet long, 18 feet wide, and stands 12 feet 4 inches high
• It can haul up to 170,900 pounds (77,519 kilograms) The C-17 handles rough airfields while carrying heavy stuff, making it key for military supply runs and helping out during disasters.

C-130 Hercules

The C-130 Hercules is a flexible tactical airlifter. It has a smaller, yet very adaptable cargo capacity.

Standard configuration: 6 463L pallets

• Alternative setups:
  • 72 litters for medical evacuation
  • 16 CDS (Container Delivery System) bundles
  • 90 combat troops
  • 64 paratroopers
• Maximum allowable payload: 42,000 pounds (19,090 kilograms)

The C-130 is a key aircraft for tactical military operations and disaster relief. It can land on unprepared runways, making it very versatile.

Airbus A400M

The Airbus A400M represents Europe’s advanced tactical and strategic airlifter:

• Payload capacity: 37,000 kg (81,600 lb)
• Cargo compartment dimensions: width 4.00m x height 3.85m x length 17.71m (without ramp 5.40m)
• Personnel transport: 116 fully equipped troops/paratroopers
• Medical evacuation: Up to 66 stretchers accompanied by 25 medical personnel

The A400M can drop up to 25 tonnes (55,100 lb) of containers or pallets. It uses gravity and parachute extraction for this. Its low-speed features make it great for dropping supplies from low altitudes. Its air release point system finds the best spots for accurate delivery.

Russian and Ukrainian Heavy Lifters

Antonov An-124 Ruslan

The An-124 Ruslan is one of the world’s largest production cargo aircraft:

Payload capacity: 120,000 kg (264,555 lbs) for the An-124-100; upgraded to 150,000 kg (330,693 lbs) for the An-124-150

Cargo hold dimensions: 36.5m x 6.4m x 4.4m (1437 x 251.9 x 173.2 inches)

• Self-loading with an internal crane system
• Can lift up to 30,000 kg (66,139 lbs)

Pallet compatibility: It can hold 12 standard ISO containers. Military aircraft can airdrop up to 16 pallets, each weighing up to 9,920 pounds (4,500 kg).

The An-124 has a double-deck layout. The upper deck holds the cockpit, relief crew area, and passenger cabin. The cargo hold is below. The aircraft has a unique multi-leg landing gear with 24 wheels. It includes a ‘kneeling’ feature that adjusts the fuselage height and angle. This makes it easier to load and unload self-propelled equipment.

Antonov An-225 Mriya

The Antonov An-225 was the world’s largest cargo aircraft before its destruction:

• Maximum payload: Over 250 tons
• Cargo hold capacity: 1,100 cubic meters
• Cruising speed: 500 mph with a range allowing 18 hours of flight without refueling
• Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW): 700 tons
• Propulsion: The aircraft features six ZMKB Progress Lotarev D-18T turbofan engines. They deliver 51,590 pounds of thrust.

The An-225 carried huge air cargo loads. It moved 232 tons of oil and gas gear to Abu Dhabi. It also transported 140 tons of compressors from South Korea to France.

Ilyushin Il-76

The Ilyushin Il-76 is a medium to long-range freighter with significant payload capacity:

• Payload capacity:
  • 50,000 kg (110,230 lbs) for standard models.
  • It varies by version:
    • Il-76M: 42,000 kg
    • Il-76MD: 48,000 kg
    • Il-76MD-90A: 60,000 kg
• Cargo hold dimensions: 20.00 x 3.40 x 3.40 m
• Cargo door size: 3.15 x 3.20 m
• Total cargo volume: 230 cubic meters

The Il-76 can accommodate nine 463L (88in x 108in/223.5cm x 274cm) pallets. This is especially useful for airports that have limited ground support equipment.

Civilian Cargo Aircraft Pallet Capacities

Boeing 747-8F

The Boeing 747-8F freighter offers extensive cargo capacity:

• Total: 34 main deck pallet positions
• Main deck configuration: 27 pallets (96” x 125” x 118”) + 5 pallets (96” x 125” x 96”) + 2 pallets (96” x 125” x 96”)
• Lower hold: 12 pallets (96” x 125” x 64”) + 2 LD-1 containers
• Total cargo volume: 30,192 ft³ (854.9 m³)

Boeing 777-200F

The Boeing 777-200F freighter offers flexible configurations:

• Standard configuration: 27 ULD positions with PMC or PAJ pallets
• Alternative configurations: 11 x 20ft pallets with 5 x 96”/88” pallets, or 17 x 16ft pallets with 1 x 96”/88” pallet
• Forward hold: 6 PMC/PAJ or 18 AKE containers
• Aft hold: 4 PMC or PAJ or 14 AKE containers
• Total cargo capacity: 103,000 kg with 630 CBM volume

The 777F’s main deck holds twenty-seven 96 x 125-in contoured pallets. Each pallet has a capacity of 19.5 m³ (690 ft³). There’s also extra space in the lower deck.

Boeing 737-800SF

The smaller Boeing 737-800SF freighter offers:

• Main deck: 11 positions for 88” x 125” pallets/containers, plus an additional position for an AEP/AEH
• Lower hold: 43.7 m³ of bulk cargo volume
• Cargo tonnage: 23.9 tonnes

Airbus A330-200F

The Airbus A330-200F represents Airbus’s entry in the mid-size freighter market:

• Payload capacity: Up to 70 tonnes
• Main deck capacity: Up to 22 pallets
• Unique feature: The only mid-size freighter to accommodate 96×125” pallets in side-by-side configuration
• Lower deck capacity: Up to 26 LD3 containers plus 19.7 cubic m (695 cubic feet) of bulk cargo
• Total maximum takeoff weight: 233.0 tonnes

The A330-200F has a flexible cargo loading system. It fits all standard containers and pallets. This helps operators meet different market needs.

Military vs. Civilian Pallet Systems: Key Differences

Military 463L System

• Dimensions: 88” x 108” x 2.25”
• Weight capacity: 10,000 pounds (4,536 kg)
• Construction: Aluminum grid with aluminum skin and tie-down points
• Design features: Specialized for military aircraft and rapid loading/unloading
• Compatibility: Made mainly for military airlifters like C-5, C-17, and C-130. It also works with some Antonov models, including AN-12, AN-124, and AN-225.

Civilian ULD Systems

• Various standardized sizes with 96” x 125” being common for many wide-body freighters
• Typically designated with codes like PMC, PAJ, LD-1, LD-3, etc.
• Different height configurations (64”, 96”, or 118”) depending on aircraft type
• Specialized handling systems designed for rapid loading/unloading in commercial settings
• Optimized for civilian aircraft cargo holds and handling systems

Special Loading Features and Capabilities

Self-Loading Systems

Several military and specialized civilian cargo aircraft feature self-loading capabilities:

The An-124 has four overhead winches that can lift 10 tonnes. It also has internal cranes that can handle 30,000 kg, or 66,139 lbs.

The Il-76 has two electric winches, each with a 3-tonne capacity. It also includes four electric hoists, each capable of lifting 10 tonnes.

Military aircraft use special ramp systems. These let vehicles drive straight into cargo holds.

Unique Loading Considerations

The An-124 doesn’t have a roller system for pallet loading. It has a flat floor and overhead cranes. This design makes it less suitable for general cargo but great for large loads.

The A400M is built to carry large military and humanitarian loads. Older transporters can’t handle these because their cargo holds are too small.

Many civilian wide-body freighters have Flexible Cargo Loading Systems (CLS). These systems can handle different types of pallets.

Comprehensive Comparison Table

Interesting fact:

The U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy can carry 36 standard military cargo pallets in one flight. The Boeing 747-8F is the world’s largest commercial freighter. It holds 34 pallets. This is more than what other freighters can carry.

The C-5 Galaxy beats the famous “Queen of the Skies” in palletized cargo capacity. This shows the impressive scale and design of military airlifters!

Timur Lesov

Eco-freak, nerd, and green technology fanatic. I’m in favor of making eco-friendly living simple as well. I graduated from Berkeley in 2017. Studied environmental science and all things sustainability related. I create content and share simple tips for greening your everyday life. I think even small changes can make a huge difference and we can build a cleaner and more sustainable future.