Civilian Contract Air Refueling: Innovative or Insane?
Abstract
Over the last 10 years Air Mobility Command's KC-135s have been plagued by deteriorating performance which is causing shortfalls in current air refueling capability. Air Mobility Command is now forecasting the retirement of KC-135s to begin in FY2013. There is no plan to address air refueling capability shortfalls in the near-ten%. Additionally, there are some problems inherent to the assumptions Air Mobility Command planners are making about the replacement for the KC-135, dubbed KC-X. This research paper accomplishes three tasks, First, it addresses the importance of air refueling to national security. This is accomplished by demonstrating air refueling's contribution to America' 5 ability to rapidly project and employ power on a global scale. Secondly, this paper presents an explanation of current and forecast air refueling shortfalls. These shortfalls are presented in conjunction with Air Mobility Command's long-ten% plan to address these shortfalls and the weaknesses of Air Mobility Command's plans. Finally, this paper presents a unique solution to the current air refueling shortfalls civilian contract air refueling.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA407112
Entities
People
- Mark D. Camerer
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College