A Challenge: The C-5A and Army Logistical Airlift in Peacetime,
Abstract
Strategic airlift capability will double upon delivery of all C-5A aircraft. In order to maintain readiness, the aircraft must be flown during peacetime and thus will provide a two-fold increase in airlift capability. The Army is being challenged to find ways and means to use this logistical airlift in peacetime. Toward this end, the Army has made a beginning with the Routine Economic Airlift (REAL) program. However, the primary constraint the generation of large air-eligible tonnages is the high military tariff rate. The rate must be lowered, and some ways to do so are suggested. It is imperative that a great deal more military cargo be made available for air shipment; not only to maximize use of military airlift, but to provide more business for US Flag commercial air carriers. Failure to accommodate the latter will precipitate the passage of draft legislation now in Congress requiring the government to ship fifty percent of its air-eligible cargo by commercial carrier. Such legislation would virtually idle the military carrier, impede readiness, and having a degenerative impact on US strategic mobility. Data was obtained by research of literature listed in a Custom Bibliography, by personal interview of officials associated with logistical airlift, by study of documents of record to include Studies, Congressional Record and Hearings, briefings, newspaper articles, official letters and memoranda. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 1972
- Accession Number
- ADA026923
Entities
People
- John T. Sprague Jr
Organizations
- United States Army War College