Librería Samer Atenea
Librería Aciertas (Toledo)
Kálamo Books
Librería Perelló (Valencia)
Librería Elías (Asturias)
Donde los libros
Librería Kolima (Madrid)
Librería Proteo (Málaga)
The United States has emerged as the sole superpower. Recognizing the dramatic change in the international environment, the U.S. has adopted a national security strategy of engagement. As such, the U.S. relies on the civilian and military strategic airlift assets of the National Airlift Fleet to influence world events. However, due to changed force structures, cut-backs, and dwindling resources, the U.S. does not possess enough airlift assets to accomplish national goals and objectives. Hence, this paper asks, 'In order to meet current and future airlift requirements of the United States, does the Air Force need to procure and field a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) cargo aircraft?' The post Cold War strategic environment and the National Security Strategy of engagement dramatically increased the nation’s commitments around the world, thus requiring reevaluation of the National Airlift Policy. The United States military currently does not posses the strategic airlift capability required by the Unified Command Plans. The procurement of 120 C-17s to replace 266 rapidly aging C-141s adds increased capability, due to the C-17’s ability to carry outsized cargo and operate in and out of small austere locations, but at reduced flexibility due to the reduced number of airframes available to the National Command Authority. Furthermore, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction dramatically increases the likelihood operating in 'hostile' environments, thereby, eliminating the civil reserve airfleet’s contribution to strategic airlift. However, commercial airlift aircraft, built for efficiency, represent a fiscally responsible complement to the military’s airlift fleet. Therefore, in order to meet current and future force requirements, especially with a continental based force structure, the United States needs to supplement its strategic airlift fleet with a commercial off-the-shelf airlift aircraft.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
