Download or read book Tactical Unmanned Airlift A Business Case Study written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 81 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Much literature has been published on unmanned aircraft in general, particularly on the roles these aircraft play in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) as well as attack. Less has been written on the use of unmanned aircraft in mobility roles. What has been written has been from the perspective of strategic airlift and air refueling. Virtually nothing has been published on unmanned tactical aircraft. The purpose of this study is to examine intratheater unmanned tactical airlift from an Air Force perspective. This is not a quantitative analysis, but rather an examination of the merits of unmanned tactical airlift as well as a recommendation of why, what, how, and when the Air Force should pursue such technology. Due to the lack of literature on this subject, the paper cannot be considered a formal case study. However, a thorough examination of the available literature is presented as well as research by other authors suggesting desirable characteristics for an unmanned tactical aircraft. In addition, barriers to implementation are examined and a potential way ahead for the Air Force is suggested as well.
Download or read book Defense Acquisitions written by Michael Sullivan and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 2010-02 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Dept. of Defense (DoD) used nearly 700 aircraft, as well as commercial and leased aircraft, to carry about three million troops and 800,000 tons of cargo in support of wartime, peacetime, and humanitarian efforts in 2008. C-5s and C-17s move troops and cargo internationally (strategic airlift) and C-130s are the primary aircraft that moves them within a theater of operation (tactical airlift). Over the next four years, DoD plans to spend about $12 billion to modernize and procure airlifters and is currently studying how many it needs. This report: (1) identifies the status of DoD¿s modernization and acquisition efforts; and (2) determines how well DoD is addressing any capability gaps and redundancies. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.
Download or read book Unmanned Intratheater Airlift written by Kevin J. Mcgowan and published by Createspace Independent Pub. This book was released on 2012-08-25 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recent military engagements have seen a radical shift in adversary tactics. In addition to confronting traditional conventional forces, the US military now faces an increasing use of irregular warfare tactics to offset the US technological and operational advantages. Long, slow, and predictable supply convoys along overstretched lines of communication also tend to place US supplies and troops at significant risk. This is further complicated by a general lack of logistical infrastructure and increasing requirements for US forces to assume positions in isolated and rugged locations. The low likelihood of these trends changing in future engagements places the DOD in a difficult position. How do you increase cargo movement to isolated forward operating bases (FOB) in relatively inaccessible locations while maintaining secure lines of communication? Operational and budgetary limitations coupled with tooth-to-tail ratio, shrinking force sizes, increasing logistical requirements, and deployment footprint concerns require immediate solutions, even if finding them means searching outside the box. This challenge dictates a movement away from traditional resupply means and an accompanying paradigm and doctrinal shift. Advancements in technology, increased needs, and shrinking budgets present the DOD with both challenges and opportunities. Augmenting the current tactical airlift system with a modular autonomous and/or semiautonomous unmanned tactical airlift aircraft offers a flexible, responsive, and inexpensive solution that will increase airlift capacity, minimize carbon footprint, reduce risk to ground and airlift crews, and reduce wear and tear on manned assets. The movement of supplies and personnel within the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom areas of operation is currently extremely costly, hazardous, and inefficient. Frequent attacks against insecure lines of communication and difficult terrain have led to a constantly increasing tactical airlift requirement. As of September 2009, 75 percent of all troop locations in Afghanistan and Iraq required resupply by ground convoy, airdrop, or vertical takeoff- and-landing aircraft. Unfortunately, the Department of Defense (DOD) currently lacks the capability to fulfill all tactical airlift requests. This paper investigates the DOD's tactical logistical challenges and each service's tactical lift requirements, especially with respect to the movement of supplies from forward supply hubs to forward forces. To address these challenges and requirements, the author suggests the use of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) as a potential solution. Focusing on existing and quickly emerging technologies as well as the joint operating requirements, the author proposes RPA performance and design characteristics along with a concept of employment that increases tactical lift capabilities and meets all current service requirements.
Download or read book Unmanned Airlift written by Chad T. Manske and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study examines whether there is a suitable role for unmanned airlifters in the USAF. A three-pronged approach is undertaken to make this determination: 1) an examination of the operational requirements that justify unmanned airlifters, 2) an investigation into current and emerging UAV technologies that are likely to meet the operational requirements, and 3) an analysis of the cost effectiveness of unmanned airlift, The author begins by establishing the fact that a strategic airlift shortfall exists, Mobility requirements studies conducted over the past 20 years illustrate the point that if the nation were called upon to fulfill the wartime requirements outlined in the National Security and Military Strategies to fight one major theater war and multiple small-scale conflicts, the Air Force would be woefully short of strategic airlift, The author postulates the concept of unmanned airlift as a potential solution for meeting the gap between requirements and existing capability, The author concludes that operational requirements for airlift could be satisfied within 10 to 20 years, and that technologies essential to unmanned airlift are indeed both a technological feasible and cost effective alternative for complementing and augmenting the USAF's fleet of venerable airlifters.
Download or read book Unmanned Airlift a Viable Option for Meeting the Strategic Airlift Shortfall written by Chad T. Manske and published by Createspace Independent Pub. This book was released on 2012-08-25 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study on airlift, written before Operation Iraqi Freedom began, has greater relevance now that we have some clear lessons about the vital importance of airlift for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Unmanned Airlift: A Viable Option for Meeting the Strategic Airlift Shortfall, Lt Col Chad T. Manske points to the growing dependency on strategic airlift as well as the abiding corollary that there will continue to be a shortfall in strategic airlift. Quite naturally, he asked whether there might be a suitable role for unmanned airlift in the Air Force. To get to the analysis, Colonel Manske raised three crucial questions: (1) are operational requirements able to justify unmanned airlifters, (2) are current and emerging technologies likely to meet these potential operational requirements, and (3) are the operational concepts cost-effective? Unsurprisingly, the author found a paucity of operational requirements. The first step in applying new technology is to convince unified combatant commanders and defense planners of a viable potential. Generally, operational and combat planners think primarily about capabilities available in the present. In addition, a long history of unproven aircraft concepts translates to high reluctance by the DOD and senior military leaders to commit funds to programs that show little near-term prospects of success. Clear assurances are needed to invest in procurement and acquisition of these new systems and attendant capabilities. The author suggests that the current shortfall of aircrew, the evident progress in emerging unmanned aircraft technology, and the currently increasing funding of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) research and development are all providing impetus to investigate the unmanned airlift concept. Colonel Manske thoughtfully provides an interesting scheme for employing these large vehicles using a monitoring mother ship to mitigate the very real problem of globally navigating in controlled airspace occupied by manned aircraft. He is also hopeful that air traffic management procedures will be upgraded to support autonomous UAV operations. Finally, the author has three suggestions for a DOD investigation: 1) Agents must perform a detailed cost-benefit analysis, learning best practices from Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems and UAV programs; 2) Charge Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency with the responsibility of determining the feasibility of concepts for unmanned airlift; and 3) Use war games to determine and establish a feasible concept of operations and employment.
Download or read book Unmanned Airlift How Should We Proceed written by and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 47 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In 1996, the U, S Air Force Scientific Advisory Board identified 22 missions that might be accomplished by UAVs. Of the identified missions, there have been many studies conducted on the use of UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, and even combat applications, but none have been completed about the use of UAVs for air mobility roles, either tanker or airlift aircraft. This study seeks to break new ground by trying to answer the question, "How should we proceed?" to make the concept of unmanned airlift a reality. To this end, this study provides a conceptual survey of the strategic need for unmanned airlift, it discusses how operational pressures on the National Aerospace System (NAS) are driving the advancement of automating technologies, and it shows how this drive toward automation is laying the foundation for unmanned airlift. Based upon this foundation, this paper will sketch a path to the future, identifying critical requirements, studies, and technologies that will help make unmanned airlift a reality.
Download or read book Unmanned Airlift A Viable Option for Meeting the Strategic Airlift Shortfall written by and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study examines whether there is a suitable role for unmanned airlifters in the USAF. A three-pronged approach is undertaken to make this determination: 1) an examination of the operational requirements that justify unmanned airlifters, 2) an investigation into current and emerging UAV technologies that are likely to meet the operational requirements, and 3) an analysis of the cost effectiveness of unmanned airlift, The author begins by establishing the fact that a strategic airlift shortfall exists, Mobility requirements studies conducted over the past 20 years illustrate the point that if the nation were called upon to fulfill the wartime requirements outlined in the National Security and Military Strategies to fight one major theater war and multiple small-scale conflicts, the Air Force would be woefully short of strategic airlift, The author postulates the concept of unmanned airlift as a potential solution for meeting the gap between requirements and existing capability, The author concludes that operational requirements for airlift could be satisfied within 10 to 20 years, and that technologies essential to unmanned airlift are indeed both a technological feasible and cost effective alternative for complementing and augmenting the USAF's fleet of venerable airlifters.
Download or read book Toward the Future of Theater Airlift Doctrine Case Studies of Theater Airlift Doctrine in Operation Uphold Democracy and Operation Joint Endeavor written by and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Recent operations in Haiti (Uphold Democracy) and Bosnia (Joint Endeavor) demonstrate continued reliance upon theater airlift to support military strategy. The current doctrinal guidance for airlift operations is contained in Joint Publication 3-17 Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Theater Airlift. Since JP 3-17 was drafted, the Air Force has been engaged in numerous major theater airlift operations. Though all of these share similarities, each is unique. The intent of this research is to assess the validity of current doctrine by comparing six propositions of Joint Publication 3-17 with the lessons of recent case studies. Due to time and space limitations, this research will focus only on the airlift operations conducted in Haiti and Bosnia. These two examples represent significant variation in airlift operations to demonstrate the diversity required of joint doctrine. Haiti reflects a planned, large-scale, mass-tactical airdrop launched from the United States. Bosnia reflects long-term employment of numerous airlift operations. Lessons from both help either confirm or identify the validity of current doctrine.
Download or read book Determining Future U S Tactical Airlift Requirements written by Jeffrey Record and published by Potomac Books. This book was released on 1987 with total page 62 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Risky Business written by Robert C. Bearden and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 106 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This study examines the role of moral hazard in airlift operations. The author turns to the world of economics and insurance to define moral hazard and then examines two historical case studies through this lens. By conducting a comparative case study of the airlift-dependent operations at Dien Bien Phu and Khe Sanh and examining these in terms of moral hazard, the author establishes that moral hazard plays a role in airlift operations, that this role is not predictive in nature, that this role illuminates risks that may otherwise go unnoticed, and that there is a positive relationship between airlift capacity and moral hazard. The author then examines US airlift operations in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2001 to 2011 in light of the conclusions drawn from Dien Bien Phu and Khe Sanh. This comparison provides additional evidence for the case at hand and demonstrates the relevance to present-day events and concerns. The author postulates that a doctrinal solution best addresses moral hazard in airlift operations by informing the application of airlift in military operations while not arbitrarily curtailing or limiting those operations. The author concludes that such a doctrinal solution helps to inform military judgment and ensures risks associated with airlift-dependent operations are more fully accounted for than they would be otherwise."--Abstract.
Download or read book An Analysis of Tactical Military Airlift written by James H. Donoho and published by . This book was released on 1997-09-01 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study examines tactical military airlift operations conducted during three historical battles - Stalingrad, Dienbienphu, and Khe Sanh. Aspects of tactical military airlift operations are identified from these scenarios. The list of important issues that results can be considered when employing tactical military airlift in the future. Using inductive reasoning, tactical military airlift operations in each scenario, and their success or failure, are examined to develop a pattern for recognizing and describing similar situations in the future. Experiences at Stalingrad, Dienbienphu, and Kile Sanh indicated that there are nine elements that should be considered when employing tactical military airlift. Those elements are command and control, aircraft availability and capabilities, technology, location and weather, logistical requirements, support and defense intelligence gathering, training, and political considerations. Command and control, aircraft availability and capabilities, support and defense, and intelligence gathering are identified as crucial elements for success in tactical military airlift operations. The remaining five elements may have an impact on the crucial elements. Historical experience at Stalingrad, Dienbienphu, and Kile Sanh indicate that successful application of simple concepts is not automatically achieved. Recognition of the crucial elements and their secondary elements is important to the future of tactical military airlift operations.
Download or read book Toward the Future of Theater Airlift Doctrine written by Donnie G. Davis and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 69 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Air Force and Army Airlift and Aerial Refueling Fixed wing Aircraft Programs written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services. Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Defense Acquisitions written by United States Government Accountability Office and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2017-09-20 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: OD used nearly 700 aircraft, as well as commercial and leased aircraft, to carry about 3 million troops and 800,000 tons of cargo in support of wartime, peacetime, and humanitarian efforts in 2008. C-5s and C-17s move troops and cargo internationally (strategic airlift) and C-130s are the primary aircraft that moves them within a theater of operation (tactical airlift). Over the next 4 years, DOD plans to spend about $12 billion to modernize and procure airlifters and is currently studying how many it needs. GAO was asked to (1) identify the status of DOD's modernization and acquisition efforts and (2) determine how well DOD is addressing any capability gaps and redundancies. In conducting this work, GAO identified the cost, schedule, and performance of airlift programs, as well as DOD's plan for addressing gaps and redundancies. GAO also discussed mobility study efforts with DOD, Institute for Defense Analysis (IDA), and RAND officials.
Download or read book Anything Anywhere Anytime written by Sam McGowan and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2017-10-26 with total page 664 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Anything, Anywhere, Anytime is the story of the US Air Force tactical airlift mission from it's beginnings in the dark days of World War II through the Vietnam War. Although airlift is often ignored by historians and the general public, some of the most heroic missions in US Air Force history were performed by tactical airlifters. One writer has described tactical airlifters as willing to deliver toothpicks to hell. That is an appropriate description. This edition is in a smaller format.
Download or read book The Airlift Capabilities Estimation Prototype written by Randy McCanne (CAPT, USAF.) and published by . This book was released on 1993 with total page 234 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Integrating Joint Intratheater Airlift Command and Control with the Needs of the Modular Army a Perspective of Current and Past Nonlinear Operation written by U S Army Command and General Staff Coll and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2014-12-05 with total page 126 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The command and control of today's intratheater airlift system, as seen in doctrine and in application, is complicated and conflicted. As the Army continues its transformation to the modular force, requirements for responsive and flexible intratheater airlift have grown. In contrast, existing Joint and Air Force intratheater airlift doctrine does not address these needs, as seen in recent operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Presented in this book are two historical case studies of past intratheater airlift efforts: Burma during World War II and the tactical airlift system of Vietnam. Both provide examples of distinct intratheater airlift command and control arrangements with similar attributes called for by Army transformation. Both case studies provide lessons in the application of theater airlift to support ground forces in a nonlinear battlefield. Coupled with identified failings in both doctrine and structure of the current theater distribution system, this book identifies requirements of theater airlift if it is to provide effective and efficient support to the modular force. With an understanding of current and past doctrine, structural evolutions of intratheater airlift, and the effects of each system, this book concludes with recommended changes to the intratheater airlift command and control structure to meet Army requirements.
