The Costs and Benefits of High Speed Vessels Relative to Traditional C-17 Military Airlift
Abstract
This cost-benefit analysis conducted on behalf of MSC compared HSVs against C-17 aircraft, Using financial and operational data garnered from the WestPac Express, as well as third-party research, the researchers investigated the following questions: Is the HSV a better choice for intra-theater lift than AMC7 Should DoD buy or lease? Should the crew be military or civilian? What other theaters require an intra-theater lift platform? How many HSVs does DoD need? The results indicate that in ranges of up to 1,500 nautical miles, HSVs have a speed advantage over C-17 airlift, One HSV can move a single battalion of Marines, whereas AMC7 requires seventeen C-17 aircraft, a number rarely available for such a mission Additionally, during routine FYO3 operations, WestPac Express incurred costs of $ 12 million This saved $8.7 million compared to an estimated AMC7 cost of $20.7 million The study also recommends bareboat leasing to take advantage of the increased operational flexibility, In the absence of significant cost differences, civilian manning is superior to military manning due to organizational fit. The study concludes with a recommendation that MSC institutionalize HSV service in the III MEF AOR and expand the service to all other maritime theaters,
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA420463
Entities
People
- Kevin W. Ralston
- Thomas Strenge
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School