Looking Ahead at the Future of Airlift

Now that the C-17 is beginning to make an operational impact, and the C-141 continues to retire en masse, it is important to start looking ahead at what the next generation airlifter should look like and what capabilities it should possess. This study bridges the gap between current capabilities, sound future assumptions and thought-provoking considerations as a launching point to investigating the central question regarding what capabilities are required for the next generation airlifter. The scope of the project entails analysis of not only current capabilities, but also considerations for future employment. The nature of our expeditionary forces and their requirements will drive the design of the aircraft, making it capable of carrying outsize loads, operating at austere locations and containing the latest available technologies--including a robust and active defensive systems suite.