The Strategic Mobility Shortfall: Underrepresented, Underfunded, and Unresolved.
Abstract
This monograph reviews the highly successful U.S. deployment to Operation Desert Storm, explores current strategic mobility initiatives, and critically examines ongoing initiatives to eliminate strategic lift shortfalls. It includes a comparison of the 1992 Mobility Requirements Study and the 1994 Bottom Up Review and their implications for ongoing strategic lift acquisition programs. The monograph evaluates the three strategic mobility pillars--airlift, sealift, and prepositioning. Additionally, the author adds a fourth pillar, infrastructure, to the analysis in the belief that infrastructure plays an underrepresented and vital role in force projection. The focus is on whether or not each of these pillars can fulfill its strategic lift missions in light of the current national security strategy and the increased, Post Cold War demands being placed on the nation's strategic lift assets. The author looks at alternative acquisition strategies in light of the cost prohibitive programs currently in effect. Special emphasis is placed on the C-17 Program which has experienced delays and cost overruns sufficient to curtail its acquisition from the required 120 aircraft to a total buy of 40. Finally, the author proposes several new approaches, including, burden sharing with allies, more prepositioning, development of a new automated transportation management and tracking system, trading combat systems for projection assets, and more commercial industry involvement at the highest national level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 19, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA300768
Entities
People
- Ann K. Drach
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College