C-17--How To Get More for Less.

Abstract

The Department of Defense has a mission to fight and win two major theaters of war in "close succession." Mobility is the critical link, providing the capability to deploy forces and meet mission requirements. One aspect of mobility critical to meeting current and future needs is airlift. The two types of airlift are inter-theater and intra-theater airlift. The 1998 Air Mobility Master Plan, identifies a shortfall in strategic airlift capability or inter-theater airlift. The C-17 Globemaster III will provide the core for military airlift as it replaces the ageing C-141 Starlifter. The C-17 has unique capabilities that complement Force XXI initiatives, and provide the Air Force with a new capability to provide decisive intra-theater airlift. The Department of Defense force structure reveals a heavy reliance on force projection operations and mobility. To increase mobility and maximize the C-17s intra-theater airlift capability, it is critical to devise a system that will relieve the C-17 of strategic inter-theater airlift missions. This system must provide a low cost capability to move outsize cargo and the civil reserve air fleet (CRAF) is the primary candidate for change. CRAF provides a large amount of air cargo transport capability and is critical to successful deployment of U.S. Forces during times of national crisis. However, CRAF does not provide an outsize cargo airlift capability. This monograph will recommend two courses of action that will add strategic airlift capability. This additional airlift will allow the C-17 to perform intra-theater missions. As a result forces will have a rapid response and enhanced mobility capability in the area of responsibility unlike anything experienced in the past. The C-17 has the potential to become decisive on the future battlefield.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 21, 1998
Accession Number
ADA357811

Entities

People

  • Dave L. Oskey

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Cargo Aircraft
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Control Systems
  • Deployment
  • Maintenance
  • Military Aircraft
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Transport Aircraft
  • United States Transportation Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.