Publisher's Synopsis
After years of inter-service and Congressional debate, the Secretary of Defense has determined the next medium-sized airlifter, the C-27J Spartan will be exclusively operated by the United States Air Force. The entire planned inventory, 38 aircraft, will belong to the Air National Guard. Although this weapon system is being assigned the direct support to the Army role, this research examines other uses and missions for the tactical airlift platform. This research utilizes performance data, examines commercial airlift contracts and reviews disaster response scenarios to recommend a wider mission set of the C-27J. After reviewing these sources, the research indicates the C-27J should be utilized for time sensitive/mission critical direct support to the Army, domestic humanitarian assistance, as well as tactical airlift missions currently being flown in Afghanistan by Presidential Airways.
