Integrating Basing, Support, and Air Vehicle Requirements. An Approach for Increasing the Effectiveness of Future Fighter Weapon Systems

摘要

This report describes a new methodology for increasing the effectiveness of future tactical fighters facing growing enemy threats in Europe and the Third World. In contrast to traditional methods, this methodology integrates changes in the design of air vehicles with changes in the basing and support systems they use. The report argues that designs for future fighters and major modifications to current fighters not only must consider air vehicle performance in the traditional way, but must also consider flexibility, mobility, sortie generation capability, aircraft ground survivability, vehicle cost, vehicle basing method, and support structure. Although the study tests its methodology using only preliminary data and is focused on a single scenario and theater, its findings demonstrate the usefulness of an analysis of this sort in strengthening the Air Force's ability to evaluate future fighter designs. The concepts underlying the study were defined in Increasing Future Fighter Weapon System Performance by Integrating Fasing, Support, and Air Vehicle Requirements. N-1985-1-AF. Keywords: Tactical aircraft; Developing nations; Europe; Fighter aircraft; and Aircraft maintenance.