An Analysis of Tactical Airlifter Characteristics and Their Impact on Theater Airlift System Performance

This study used computer simulation and Response Surface Technology to determine what tactical airlifter characteristics most impact theater airlift system performance in a Southwest Asia (SWA) scenario. Some Aircraft characteristics were grouped into functional sets, while others were considered individually. After screening one characteristic, reliability, with a two-level factorial experiment, a Box-Behnken design was used to estimate second-order metamodels. A stepwise regression procedure indicated that, if attrition rates are ignored, airlift system performance is most impacted by the aircraft's size, survivability, cruise speed, and ability to operate on short fields. The SWA scenario used in this study covers a large geographical area and varying threat levels and types. The results of this study were compared with those of an earlier study that used the much smaller, low threat Central American scenario. It was determined that across a range of scenarios airlift system performance is most affected by the aircraft's size, survivability, cruise speed, ability to operate on shor fields, and ability to operate on unprepared surfaces.