Use of the C-27J Fixed-Wing Aircraft for Conducting Army Mission Critical, Time Sensitive Missions in Counterinsurgency Operations

Cover: Use of the C-27J Fixed-Wing Aircraft for Conducting Army Mission Critical, Time Sensitive Missions in Counterinsurgency OperationsClick to Read Online

The Army believes that it needs a replacement for the C-23 Sherpa aircraft that provides transport of mission critical, time sensitive (MCTS) cargo and passengers to brigade combat teams conducting combat operations. This issue is particularly relevant in counterinsurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan where ground forces are widely dispersed across long resupply distances. This occasional paper concludes that the C-27J Spartan is a reasonable replacement for the MCTS cargo and passenger mission in all performance categories. The Army's direct support approach for moving MCTS shipments using its organic aircraft is inherently more responsive than that of the Air Force. But both services should be able to improve the responsiveness of delivering MCTS shipments, but the Army should be in a better position to do so if it retains direct control of its fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

Download eBook for Free

Full Document

FormatFile SizeNotes
PDF file 0.4 MB

Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7.0 or higher for the best experience.

Summary Only

FormatFile SizeNotes
PDF file 0.1 MB

Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 7.0 or higher for the best experience.

Purchase Print Copy

FormatList Price Price  
Paperback, 36 Pages $20.00 $16.00 Special 20% Web Discount Add to Cart

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 36
  • List Price: $20.00
  • Paperback Price: $16.00
  • Paperback ISBN/EAN: 9780833047571
  • Document Number: OP-254-A
  • Year: 2010
  • Series: Occasional Papers

The research described in this report was sponsored by the United States Army and conducted by the RAND Arroyo Center.

This report is part of the RAND Corporation occasional paper series. RAND occasional papers may include an informed perspective on a timely policy issue, a discussion of new research methodologies, essays, a paper presented at a conference, or a summary of work in progress. All RAND occasional papers undergo rigorous peer review to help ensure that they meet high standards for research quality and objectivity.

Permission is given to duplicate this electronic document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Copies may not be duplicated for commercial purposes. Unauthorized posting of RAND PDFs to a non-RAND Web site is prohibited. RAND PDFs are protected under copyright law. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit the RAND Permissions page.

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.