Medium Tactical Transport Airlift (MTTA) - Fleet Size Analysis The C-27J represents the Optimum Solution for

Medium Tactical Transport Airlift (MTTA) because it ensures operational Mission Success and maximum airlift versatility for the least cost of all possible MTTA solutions. When considering possible solutions for the Medium Tactical Transport Airlift (MTTA) role, the C-27J is the most effective because it provides that airlift with the least number of aircraft - ensuring Mission Success at a low cost. Furthermore, it is the most flexible airlifter in its class when considering its loadability and versatility, future mission growth potential, and ability to provide direct support to operations requiring larger aircraft, such as the C-130 Hercules. The main purpose of this study is to highlight the overall effectiveness of the C-27J in supporting MTTA objectives, providing a platform with mission growth potential and complementing use of larger tactical airlifters in meeting all tactical airlift objectives with fewer aircraft - thereby assuring the lowest cost operational solution. The C-27J provides the most effective, low cost MTTA airlift on the basis of: 1. High Productivity: With productivity the number of ton-miles performed in a certain time. The C-27J exhibits the highest productivity of any aircraft in the light/medium class thanks to its Transport Power (function of the aircrafts speed and load carrying potential). This high productivity, and subsequent time savings, allows the operator to reduce the number of aircraft or the number of sorties/time required to perform a given task. 2. Mission Flexibility: The ability to carry large tactical loads and fly in severe operating environments allows the C-27J to operate outside the basic MTTA role - such as, complementing C-130 Hercules operations or the transport of equipment and vehicles (HMMWV) too large for other aircraft in its class. The following pages highlight the C-27J benefits in terms of: Fulfillment of MTTA requirements Dimensioning the fleet size for a transport squadron Perfect interoperability with larger aircraft operations
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MTTA Requirement
Essential to the MTTA role is the ability for the aircraft to transport or airdrop tactical combat personnel, equipment, and vehicles over short to medium distances, into and out of hostile environments. The aircraft must also operate from short, unprepared airfields under severe climatic conditions. The aircraft must be rugged, reliable, easy to maintain, able to operate away from main base support over extended periods of time, and provide a high level of survivability while operating under combat conditions. Of all possible MTTA solutions, the aircraft that best meets these objectives is the C-27J. The tactical airlift capabilities of the C-27J, are unequalled by the other MTTA solutions. This is because of its rugged military design, performance, cargo box size, and overall loadability. The C-27J also offers growth potential to support future mission requirements and support C-130 Hercules and other larger military transport aircraft operations. The C-27Js versatility and flexibility allows the operator to undertake any tactical airlift operation with the confidence of achieving Mission Success. Mission Success can be seen as a combination of factors associated with the aircrafts ability to accomplish the required mission within a specified closure time these factors are the aircrafts: 1) Performance 2) Loading capability 3) Operational capability 4) Reliability 5) Survivability The C-27J exhibits excellent characteristics in all these categories. These general

characteristics of the C-27J, combined with its high speed performance, ensure maximum mission completion rates within given time constraints required during crisis operations.

Squadron Fleet Size

Productivity
Productivity is a measure of the capability of an aircraft to transport a given payload at certain distance with ton-nautical miles parameter (tonne-nm in the metric system). The most efficient solution for a given airlift operation comes from an aircraft exhibiting the highest Transport Power that represents the productivity performed per FH. This allows completion of the operation with fewer aircraft. A greater number of missions with the same number of aircraft results in an expanded airlift operation.
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Because of its high cruise speed and total payload capability, the C-27J is the most productive - or efficient - airlifter among its closest competitors. This implies that: the same task is completed with fewer aircraft, or a given payload is moved in a shorter period of time (saving cost through reduced operational time and FH) or, a greater payload is moved in the same time (saving costs by reducing the number of sorties required), or a given payload is moved a longer distance without refueling (in the same time). The following chart shows the hourly Transport Power of the C-27J and the competing Utility Aircraft (C295, CN235) operating over various distances. Transport Power is the result of multiplying available payload (tonnes) times speed (nautical miles per hour).

Aircraft Transport Power Comparison

3000 2,805 Transport Power (tonnes-nm/hrs) 2500
Assumptions: - ISA - Maximum Payload - Logistic Transport @ 2.25g - Long Range Cruise Speed

C-27J

2000

1,769

C-295

1500 1,150 1000

CN-235

500

0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 Block Distance (nm)

For the purpose of demonstrating productivity, the payload is assumed to be of a size that is transportable by even the competing Utility Aircraft offered as potential MTTA solutions. The Transport Power profiles show that the C-27J operates at all ranges with a greater productivity compared to the competing Utility Aircraft. For example, on a 500 nautical mile mission, the productivity for each aircraft is:
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Hourly Productivity Aircraft C-27J C-295 CN-235 (tonne-nm/hr) 2,805 1,769 1,173

Relative Productivity (%) 100 63 41

Fleet Size
The benefit to reducing fleet size by operating the C-27J, with its high relative Transport Power, can be seen by comparing the number of aircraft needed to perform logistics mission during one year (again, assuming all cargo is transportable by each aircraft). The relationship between the numbers of aircraft required for such airlift operations is shown below as a function of tonne-nm/hr.
Requirement Assumtions:
Total Carried Material per Year Average Distance Fleet Yearly Productivity Aircraft Utilization 5.500 500 2.750.000 500 tonnes/Y nm ton-miles/Y FH/Y

C-27J
Productivity per Hour (Power Transport) Aircraft Yearly Productivity Aircraft Number to accomplish Yearly Productivity Operational Availability 2.850 ton-miles/FH 1.425.000 ton-miles/Y 2 A/C 80%

Total Fleet
Aircraft Maximum Carried Payload Aircraft Block Time on Average Distance Average Missions Number per Aircraft per Year Average Utilization per Aircraft

3 A/C
11,50 tonnes 2,05 FH 160 328 FH/Y

TOTAL Fleet Yearly FH flown

984 FH/Y

C-295
Productivity per Hour (Power Transport) Aircraft Yearly Productivity Aircraft Number to accomplish Yearly Productivity Operational Availability 1.769 ton-miles/FH 884.500 ton-miles/Y 4 A/C 80%

Total Fleet
Aircraft Maximum Carried Payload Aircraft Block Time on Average Distance Average Missions Number per Aircraft per Year Average Utilization per Aircraft

5 A/C
9,20 tonnes 2,60 FH 120 312 FH

TOTAL Fleet Yearly FH flown

1.560 FH/Y

CN-235
Productivity per Hour (Power Transport) Aircraft Yearly Productivity Aircraft Number to accomplish Yearly Productivity Operational Availability 1.150 ton-miles/FH 575.000 ton-miles/Y 5 A/C 80%

Total Fleet
Aircraft Maximum Carried Payload Aircraft Block Time on Average Distance Average Missions Number per Aircraft per Year Average Utilization per Aircraft

7 A/C
6,30 tonnes 2,70 FH 125 338 FH

TOTAL Fleet Yearly FH flown

2.363 FH/Y

The example used in demonstrating the number of aircraft of each type required is based on airlifting personnel, vehicles, and supplies - totalling 5,500 tonnes at an average distance of 500 nm during 1 year. The yearly aircraft utilization is 500 FH/Y. Considering the Aircraft Productivity per Flight Hour (Power Transport), shown in the previous chart, is possible to calculate the Total Fleet assuming an Operational Availability of 80%.

Numbers of aircraft required are:

Aircraft C-27J C-295 CN-235 Aircraft Number (N) 3 5 7 Relative Aircraft Number (%) 100 167 233

Time Savings
Time savings is an element of the higher productivity of the C-27J which leads to lower overall operating costs for the aircraft and increased potential for Mission Success. The higher speed of the C-27J coupled with its ease of loading and unloading allows a reduction of the mission closure time relative to the other aircraft, thus allowing it to perform more missions in support of the tactical objective. Aircraft C-27J C-295 CN-235 Missions Number per Y (N) 160 120 125 Relative Missions Number (%) 100 75 78

With respect to cost, however, a reduction of Total Fleet Flight Hours Flown allows to reduce drastically the Yearly Operational & Support Cost and the Life Cycle Cost C-27J. A fleet composed by only 3 C-27J flies less than the other competitors. Aircraft C-27J C-295 CN-235 Total Fleet FH per Y (N) 984 1.560 2.363 Relative FH per Y (%) 100 159 240

Considering an Operative Life of 25 Years the Total FH are: Aircraft C-27J C-295 CN-235 FH with respect a CN-235 fleet. Total Fleet FH per 25Y (N) 24.600 39.000 59.075 Relative FH per 25Y (%) 100 159 240

Operating a fleet of C-27J is possible to save 14.400 FH with respect a C-295 fleet or 34.375

Mission Flexibility
Operating outside the basic role for the MTTA enables the operator to employ a more efficient solution to overall mission requirements. The operator can plan more complicated tactical missions or use the MTTA aircraft to complement the larger C-130 operations. Due to its rugged military design and loadability characteristics, the C-27J has the growth potential required for this additional role. It is well suited for the most complicated, dangerous tactical mission or it can assume some of the mission roles of the C-130 Hercules, airlifting much of the tactical equipment and vehicles normally carried by the Hercules. This capability dictates an operational cost

savings, but more importantly in crisis situations, it also allows for a more efficient use of valuable C-130 hours. The following chart compares the C27J with C-130 Hercules and Utility Aircraft in airlifting a US Airborne Division. Due to the large cross section of the cargo compartment and its great floor strength, the C-27J is capable of accommodating over 60% of typical C-130 loads for deploying an Airborne Division. The competing Utility Aircraft are limited in their loading capability due to lower floor strength or smaller cross-section dimensions.

Equipment loading capability

100%

Typical Airborne Division Equipment Deployment

80% 60%

C-130

C-27J C-27J
40% 20% 0% 0 500 1000 1500

Utility Aircraft

Floor strength (kg/m of axial load)

Moreover, the airdrop of personnel, equipment, and vehicles is as safe from the C-27J as it is from the C-130 Hercules. The C-27J has an ample rear section (2.45 meters wide, 2.25 meters high with the ramp and rear door opened). Its large paratroop doors (0.91 meters wide, 1.92 meters high) enhance safety and shorten jump intervals - important for tall and heavily equipped paratroopers. The C-27J affords the maximum operational flexibility of any MTTA competing aircraft with the same cargo handling system and floor strength of the Hercules. These features, coupled with a large cross section and unique loading features (such as tilting and variable height), make the interchange of loads between the C-27J and the C130 easily accomplished. This contributes to an overall optimization of the transport fleet. The figure below shows the differences of the C-27J and the various Utility Aircraft in their ability to carry large loads, such as a fully loaded typical 463L military pallet used on the Hercules. Notice that there is sufficient room between the load and the sides of the C-27J for a loadmaster to move around the cargo compartment to ensure that safety is not compromised. The C-27J can also carry a fully assembled HMMWV, as does the C-130.

83
59 88
Volume: 7.5 m3
85

88
Volume: 12.9 m3

CN-236 / C-295 (cargo section, which is too narrow to carry 463L pallet)

C-27J

With speeds similar to the C-130, a useful range and payload capability beyond the minimum requirements of the basic MTTA aircraft, and being cheaper to operate than the Hercules, C130 operations can be optimized and mission costs significantly lowered by using the C-27J to perform some of the C130 missions.

Conclusions
The C-27J solution represents the optimum choice for the MTTA role by satisfying the operational requirements with the most effective medium tactical airlifter available, while ensuring cost savings for fleet operations. The C-27Js range and payload capability enables operations without restrictions. Mission Success is ensured with the C-27J as it provides excellent performance and high dependability and survivability. The aircrafts high cruise speed allows a reduction in

mission closure time as it provides rapid reaction capability in crisis periods. Program cost savings comes from: The highest productivity available among the competing aircraft, which affects the number of aircraft required. Time savings on typical tactical missions, which translates in fewer flown hours per mission and is emphasized on an annual basis and over 25 years of operations. The capability to be used to complement C130 operations, saving cost on the more valuable Hercules operations.