Expanding Fixed-Wing Aircraft Capability in U.S. Army Aviation Operations - UH-60L Blackhawk, CH-47F Chinook, C-23B, C-27J, BCT, Intra-Theater Airlift, Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA), Ground Force Support

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. This study examines the possibility of expanding fixed-wing aircraft roles and missions in the United States Army. Acquiring, integrating and operating a larger number of light cargo airplanes to assume or supplement existing utility and cargo helicopter missions is a more capable, flexible, efficient and economical solution to meeting Army intra-theater airlift mission requirements.

Despite the best efforts of the military services to define individual roles and missions, the fact remains that each has the inherent responsibility to support specific needs in peacetime and wartime. For the Army, significant restrictions have historically existed, and still exist, for purchasing and operating fixed-wing aircraft to supplement Army-specific mission requirements. Consequently, Army Aviation has evolved into a highly mobile air capability that primarily operates a large fleet of rotary-wing aircraft and a small fleet of fixed-wing aircraft in 15 mission categories. But due to past service agreements the Army has historically relied more heavily on helicopters to conduct service-specific organic functions to support the land force. Helicopters generally have significant fuel range limitations and are much more expensive to operate and maintain than similar sized airplanes. Additionally, the use of utility and cargo helicopters for dedicated intra-theater airlift functions serves to reduce the availability of tactical aircraft like the CH-47 and UH-60 for tactical missions.

CHAPTER 1 * INTRODUCTION * Introduction * Background * Primary Research Question * Secondary Research Questions * Significance * Assumptions * Definitions * Limitations * Delimitations * Conclusion * CHAPTER 2 * LITERATURE REVIEW * Introduction * Service and Joint Doctrine * Army Doctrine * Air Force Doctrine * Joint Doctrine * Government and Military Reports * Transformation and Modernization Documents * Army Aviation Future Concept Documents * Congressional Research Service Reports * Future Cargo Aircraft and Joint Cargo Aircraft Documents and Reports * Historical Documents * Professional Journals, Magazine and Publications * Analysis of the Literature * Gaps in the Record * Trends * Significance of Thesis to Existing Literature * Conclusion * CHAPTER 3 * RESEARCH DESIGN * Introduction * Steps Taken to Obtain Information * Collection and Analysis * Strength and Weaknesses of Methodology * CHAPTER 4 * HISTORICAL BACKGROUND * Introduction * Acts of Legislation and Formal Service Agreements * Evolving Doctrine and the Airmobile Concept * Small Airlifters in Vietnam * Small Airlifters for Alternate Roles * Recognizing the Need for Small Airlifters * Unity of Effort and Interservice Cooperation * Conclusion * CHAPTER 5 * FINDINGS AND RESULTS * Introduction * The Need for More Intra-Theater Airlift * The Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) Program * New Vision, Doctrine and the Way Ahead * Army Aviation Support to Ground Forces * Transforming to Meet the Intra-Theater Airlift Needs of Ground Forces * The Army's Intra-Theater "Airlift Gap" * Airplane and Helicopter Comparison * Airlift Requirements of the BCT * Comparing Capability, Flexibility and Efficiency * Assessing Airlift Capability * Efficient Transloadability and Interoperability * Aircraft Costs * Conclusion * CHAPTER 6 * CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS * Introduction * Interpretation of the Findings * Recommendations * Conclusion