Statement of Robert F. Hale, Assistant Director, National Security Division, Congressional Budget Office
Abstract
Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I am pleased to be here this morning to testify on options for improving U.S. strategic mobility (i.e., the ability of the United States to transport military forces across long distances). In 1981, as part of an overall review of mobility requirements, the Department of Defense (DoD) decided it needed the capability to move 66 million ton-miles per day (MTM/D) by air in the event of future military conflicts. The Administration plans to meet that goal by adding 210 of the new C-17 aircraft to its inventory by the year 2000. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the investment costs of this program to be $10.2 billion over the next 5 years. Total costs over 30 years to buy and operate the entire airlift fleet under this plan will be $96.7 billion (in constant 1987 budget dollars, discounted at 4 percent, over the 30-year period from 1987 through 2016). Others have proposed meeting the 66 MTM/D goal by continuing to buy C-5 and KC-10 transport aircraft now in production instead of the new C-17. CBO finds that the cost of this alternative does not differ greatly from the C-17 option. The C-5/KC-10 approach would cost about 3 percent more over the next 5 years, but about 5 percent less over 30 years. There are, however, important differences between the options. The C-17 is a newly designed aircraft that offers qualitative advantages including greater maneuverability and expedited cargo handling. On the other hand, the C-5/KC-10 approach would reach the DoD goal of 66 MTM/D sooner, and there is less uncertainty about long-term costs. Neither the C-17 nor the C-5/KC-10 approach would greatly reduce near-term costs. To do that, the Congress may have to reconsider the goal of 66 MTM/D. For example, the Congress could decide not to buy any new strategic airlift and target spending increases on sealift, which is not as quick or as versatile as airlift but is dramatically cheaper per ton carried.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 20, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA490835
Entities
People
- Robert F. Hale
Organizations
- Congressional Budget Office