Title: The USAF C-17 Fleet: A Strategic Airlift Shortfall?
Subject: Does the overall decrease in AMC tail numbers for the strategic airlift fleet change our ability to support future operations?
Author(s): Bret G. Rider (Faculty Advisor); Randall L. Long
DTIC Keywords: AIRLIFT OPERATIONS, MOBILITY
Abstract:
The United States Air Force requires a core airlifter to accomplish national
military objectives. The current aircraft that fills this role, the aging C-141
Starlifter, is being replaced by the C-17 Globemaster III. The success of this
new airlifter depends not only on its inherent capabilities, but also on the
size of the fleet. Determining the "right" size rests on our ability to
forecast future requirements and tailor our airlift assets to meet established
objectives.
Current studies and recent contingencies indicate that strategic airlift force
structure will be unable to meet our present national security strategy and
national military objectives. This report analyzes the ability of our current
and future airlift forces to project and sustain U.S. power abroad. To this
end, the focus of the research is in three resource planning areas: 1) present
and future requirements; 2) current capabilities; and 3) airframe attrition. In
the requirements discussion, the analysis highlights the underestimation of
airlift needed to deploy and sustain U.S. forces in major regional conflicts
around the world. The capabilities section examines airlift to the extent to
which current and future fleets meet projected requirements. Finally, the last
segment emphasizes the need to account for airframe attrition when using
resource planning models.