Evaluating the C-17 Semi-Prepared Runway Capability an Off Road Map

<p>The Army and Air Force jointly satisfy the Defense Planning Guidance requirement for forcible entry into non-permissive environments through Strategic Brigade Airdrop (SBA). The C-17 is the aircraft of choice for the SBA due to its outsized cargo carrying capacity unlimited range due to air refueling and short landing capability. When performed solely by the C-17 the SBA consists of 53 airdrop (Alpha Echelon) and 48 airland (Bravo Echelon) sorties to deliver the XVIII Airborne Division's Ready Brigade-Medium This paper focuses on the challenges of delivering the Bravo Echelon to a single semi-prepared runway (SPR) within the 20-hour window a capability the C-17 has yet to demonstrate. The yet-to-be-resolved issues include the ability of SPRs to support the weight of the C-17 the inaccuracy of takeoff and landing data and the inability to predict the ability of targeted SPRs to support intended operations.</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>