Factors and Interactions That Affect Air Force C-17 Aircraft Mission Capable Rates

Given the high demand for mission capable airlift aircraft and considering increasing budget pressures, Air Mobility Command decision makers need a better understanding of mission capable (MC) rate-related factors and their interactions for mobility aircraft. This is needed to comprehend how issues such as airlift funding, current and future force reductions, and manning and experience levels may impact future MC rates for air mobility assets. Existing tools do not incorporate several key variables that the literature suggests are related to MC rates. Using a longitudinal approach, this thesis combines C-17 aircraft data with a structural equations modeling approach to evaluate relationships between MC rates and selected variables. The research addresses linkages between several areas not addressed in prior research and currently used models, and provides recommendations for both existing tools and for further research.