The Challenges Affecting Heavy Lift Aircraft Development to Support Sea Basing
Abstract
This thesis examines several successful and unsuccessful military aircraft development programs that serve as a basis for identifying potential challenges that might be encountered by developers of the heavy lift aircraft required to support the sea basing concept. In the wake of 11 September 2001, the U.S. Armed Services began adapting to meet the challenges of a changing global environment. An enhanced sea-basing capability was one solution. The sea-basing concept is focused on eliminating traditional nodes required ashore to support operational maneuver from the sea. An enhanced sea-basing capability is laden with several issues that must be addressed before it can be developed, especially development of new maritime aviation assets. In August 2003, the DoD-directed Defense Science Board Task Force on Sea Basing identified 12 "dirty dozen" issues, three of which were critical. The development of a heavy lift aircraft capability to support sea basing was one of those critical issues. The conclusions reached in this thesis are that design approach, funding, organization, silver bullet theory, vision, technology, and politics are the most prevalent factors that could effect the timely development of heavy lift aircraft to support sea basing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 17, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA436672
Entities
People
- Kevin D. Glathar
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College