Impact of a Military Reusable Launch Vehicle on Dominant Maneuver and Focused Logistics
Abstract
This study analyzes the role of a next-generation reusable launch vehicle (RLV) as a potential defense mobility platform for the future. RLV prototypes offer rapid transportation anywhere on the globe within one hour, with a significant cost reduction from today's $10,000 per pound to $1,000 per pound of cargo through space. Unfortunately, extremely complex and time-consuming infrastructure and ground handling requirements hinder the usefulness of the RLV in a military environment. Joint Vision 2020 (JV2020) outlines operational concepts that mold warfighting capabilities to achieve full spectrum dominance in the future. Two of the operational concepts, dominant maneuver and focused logistics, shape mobility requirements and are used to evaluate the need for a military RLV. This project seeks to answer the question: "Could the next-generation RLV be a viable tool to support JV2020's operational concepts of dominant maneuver and focused logistics?" Based on this analysis, current RLV prototypes do not meet the majority of criteria established by JV2020's dominant maneuver and focused logistics. However, if a military RLV were designed and produced specifically for defense transportation, it could potentially overcome the reliability and flexibility obstacles and become a key enabler toward full spectrum dominance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA432917
Entities
People
- Nanette M. Williams
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology