New Seamless Airlifter: The C-130J-30

摘要

The end of the Cold War has had a dramatic effect on America's national security strategy. As the peace dividend continues to yield defense cuts and force reductions throughout the world, we have moved from a forward presence force to a force projection force. Airlift is vital as a first response to any action that requires an American presence. Whether it involves airlifting supplies and personnel into Bosnia in support of IFOR or enforcing sanctions on Iraq, adherence to AMC's Core Competency of Global Reach will continue to place demands on our airlift resources. This demand must he met with a well throughout employment strategy for all of AMC's airlift assets. The harsh reality is that in the future our airlift assets will experience shortfalls in capability, creating challenges for any transportation system we build. These challenges will force us to develop innovative ways to employ these assets if we hope to meet the demands of projecting those forces anywhere in the world. One airlift asset that will expand our employment options is the next generation Hercules, the C-130J-J30. The J-30 is destined to become a part of the airlift picture in the near future and evaluations are under way on how to best utilize it. Should the USAF employ it purely in its traditional intratheater role, or expand it into the intertheater role. This paper looks at the difference between these roles, examines the traditional role of the C-130, and how this has shaped the way we do business today.