Report on size and mix of Air Force intertheater airlift force

(a)

Study required

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a study on various alternatives for the size and mix of assets for the Air Force intertheater airlift force, with a particular focus on current and planned capabilities and costs of the C–5 aircraft and C–17 aircraft fleets. (2)

Conduct of study

(A)

Use of ffrdc

The Secretary shall select to conduct the study required by subsection (a) a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that has experience and expertise in conducting studies similar to the study required by subsection (a). (B)

Development of study methodology

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the federally funded research and development center selected for the conduct of the study shall— (i)develop the methodology for the study; and (ii)submit the methodology to the Comptroller General of the United States for review. (C)

Comptroller general review

Not later than 30 days after receipt of the methodology under subparagraph (B), the Comptroller General shall— (i)review the methodology for purposes of identifying any flaws or weaknesses in the methodology; and (ii)submit to the federally funded research and development center a report that— (I)sets forth any flaws or weaknesses in the methodology identified by the Comptroller General in the review; and (II)makes any recommendations the Comptroller General considers advisable for improvements to the methodology. (D)

Modification of methodology

Not later than 30 days after receipt of the report under subparagraph (C), the federally funded research and development center shall— (i)modify the methodology in order to address flaws or weaknesses identified by the Comptroller General in the report and to improve the methodology in accordance with the recommendations, if any, made by the Comptroller General; and (ii)submit to the congressional defense committees a report that— (I)describes the modifications of the methodology made by the federally funded research and development center; and (II)if the federally funded research and development center does not improve the methodology in accordance with any particular recommendation of the Comptroller General, sets forth a description and explanation of the reasons for such action. (3)

Utilization of other studies

The study shall build upon the results of the recent Mobility Capabilities Studies of the Department of Defense, the on-going Intratheater Airlift Fleet Mix Analysis, and other appropriate studies and analyses. The study should also include any results reached on the modified C–5A aircraft configured as part of the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP) configuration, as specified in section 132 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108–136; 117 Stat. 1411). (b)

Elements

The study under subsection (a) shall address the following: (1)The state of the current intertheater airlift fleet of the Air Force, including the extent to which the increased use of heavy airlift aircraft in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and other ongoing operations is affecting the aging of the aircraft of that fleet. (2)The adequacy of the current intertheater airlift force, including whether or not the current target number of 301 airframes for the Air Force heavy lift aircraft fleet will be sufficient to support future expeditionary combat and non-combat missions as well as domestic and training mission demands consistent with the requirements of the National Military Strategy. (3)The optimal mix of C–5 aircraft and C–17 aircraft for the intertheater airlift fleet of the Air Force, and any appropriate mix of C–5 aircraft and C–17 aircraft for intratheater airlift missions, including an assessment of the following: (A)The cost advantages and disadvantages of modernizing the C–5 aircraft fleet when compared with procuring new C–17 aircraft, which assessment shall be performed in concert with the Cost Analysis Improvement Group and be based on program life cycle cost estimates for the respective aircraft. (B)The military capability of the C–5 aircraft and the C–17 aircraft, including number of lifetime flight hours, cargo and passenger carrying capabilities, and mission capable rates for such airframes. In the case of assumptions for the C–5 aircraft, and any assumptions made for the mission capable rates of the C–17 aircraft, sensitivity analyses shall also be conducted to test assumptions. The military capability study for the C–5 aircraft shall also include an assessment of the mission capable rates after each of the following: (i)Successful completion of the Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) and the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP). (ii)Partially successful completion of the Avionics Modernization Program and the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program, with partially successful completion of either such program being considered the point at which the continued execution of such program is no longer supported by cost-benefit analysis. (C)The tactical capabilities of strategic airlift aircraft, the potential increase in use of strategic airlift aircraft for tactical missions, and the value of such capabilities to tactical operations. (D)The value of having more than one type of aircraft in the strategic airlift fleet, and the potential need to pursue a replacement aircraft for the C–5 aircraft that is larger than the C–17 aircraft. (4)The means by which the Air Force was able to restart the production line for the C–5 aircraft after having closed the line for several years, and the actions to be taken to ensure the production line for the C–17 aircraft could be restarted if necessary, including— (A)an analysis of the costs of closing and re-opening the production line for the C–5 aircraft; and (B)an assessment of the costs of closing and re-opening the production line for the C–17 aircraft on a similar basis. (5)The financial effects of retiring, upgrading and maintaining, or continuing current operations of the C–5A aircraft fleet on procurement decisions relating to the C–17 aircraft. (6)The impact that increasing the role and use of strategic airlift aircraft in intratheater operations will have on the current target number for strategic airlift aircraft of 301 airframes, including an analysis of the following: (A)The appropriateness of using C–5 aircraft and C–17 aircraft for intratheater missions, as well as the efficacy of these aircraft to perform current and projected future intratheater missions. (B)The interplay of existing doctrinal intratheater airlift aircraft (such as the C–130 aircraft and the future Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA)) with an increasing role for C–5 aircraft and C–17 aircraft in intratheater missions. (C)The most appropriate and likely missions for C–5 aircraft and C–17 aircraft in intratheater operations and the potential for increased requirements in these mission areas. (D)Any intratheater mission sets best performed by strategic airlift aircraft as opposed to traditional intratheater airlift aircraft. (E)Any requirements for increased production or longevity of C–5 aircraft and C–17 aircraft, or for a new strategic airlift aircraft, in light of the matters analyzed under this paragraph. (7)Taking into consideration all applicable factors, whether or not the replacement of C–5 aircraft with C–17 aircraft on a one-for-one basis will result in the retention of a comparable strategic airlift capability. (c)

Construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed to exclude from the study under subsection (a) consideration of airlift assets other than the C–5 aircraft or C–17 aircraft that do or may provide intratheater and intertheater airlift, including the potential that such current or future assets may reduce requirements for C–5 aircraft or C-17 aircraft. (d)

Collaboration with transcom

The federally funded research and development center selected under subsection (a) shall conduct the study required by that subsection and make the report required by subsection (e) in concert with the United States Transportation Command. (e)

Report by FFRDC

(1)

In general

Not later than February 4, 2009, the federally funded research and development center selected under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary of Defense, the congressional defense committees, and the Comptroller General of the United States a report on the study required by subsection (a). (2)

Review by gao

Not later than 90 days after receipt of the report under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall submit to the congressional defense committee a report on the study conducted under subsection (a) and the report under paragraph (1). The report under this subsection shall include an analysis of the study under subsection (a) and the report under paragraph (1), including an assessment by the Comptroller General of the strengths and weaknesses of the study and report. (f)

Report by Secretary of defense

(1)

In general

Not later than _____, 2009, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives a report on the study required by subsection (a). (2)

Elements

The report shall include a comprehensive discussion of the findings of the study, including a particular focus on the following: (A)A description of lift requirements and operating profiles for intertheater airlift aircraft required to meet the National Military Strategy, including assumptions regarding: (i)Current and future military combat and support missions. (ii)The planned force structure growth of the Army and the Marine Corps. (iii)Potential changes in lift requirements, including the deployment of the Future Combat Systems by the Army. (iv)New capability in strategic airlift to be provided by the KC(X) aircraft and the expected utilization of such capability, including its use in intratheater lift. (v)The utilization of the heavy lift aircraft in intratheater combat missions. (vi)The availability and application of Civil Reserve Air Fleet assets in future military scenarios. (vii)Air mobility requirements associated with the Global Rebasing Initiative of the Department of Defense. (viii)Air mobility requirements in support of peacekeeping and humanitarian missions around the globe. (ix)Potential changes in lift requirements based on equipment procured for Iraq and Afghanistan. (B)A description of the assumptions utilized in the study regarding aircraft performances and loading factors. (C)A comprehensive statement of the data and assumptions utilized in making program life cycle cost estimates. (D)A comparison of cost and risk associated with optimal mix airlift fleet versus program of record airlift fleet. (3)

Form

The report shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.