Joint Cargo Aircraft

The current execution plan for the C-27 Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) has been influenced by many factors. These factors include service priorities as well as a variety of fiscal priorities, operational considerations and political issues. Given these continuing competing issues the joint acquisition and fielding program is underway. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current joint plan and provide recommendations focused toward ensuring efficiency and effectiveness of both the acquisition and operational aspects of the program. It begins with an analysis and assessment of the current acquisition plan and includes some relevant practical considerations primarily for joint program acquisition leaders. Chapter two is an examination of the proposed beddown plan. It discusses several factors that contributed to the development the plan. It also includes a discussion and analysis of the projected unit manning plan as well as the anticipated utilization rate for the aircraft. Chapter three provides a brief history of the tactical success of the Air Force's last JCA-like aircraft, the Light Intra-theater Aircraft (LIT) in the Vietnam conflict. Chapter three also discusses the responses of both the Army and Air Force to a recent inquiry from Senator Carl Levin, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Oversight Committee, consisting of five key questions relating to the roles and missions debate. Finally, based on the analysis of the facts uncovered through the discussion of these areas, the paper concludes with a series of recommendations.