Bedding Down With C-O-T-S

<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p>