Originally Posted by Madhouse3x

Back on the Future Cargo Aircraft (FCA) to Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) to No Cargo Aircraft replacement for the C23 discussion….. The requirements determination process is a long one and is often seen as separate from experiences of operational commanders….as all of you that have flown C23 and C12s in recent conflicts have probably thought to yourself. The Air Force position over the years was that they had sufficient assets to support the Army intra-theater missions. Many Army dudes believed the mission tasking cycle of the Air Force didn’t provide the flexibility and/or speed needed to properly/best support missions. The rest of the debate seems to come down to the efficiency versus effectiveness argument. It is not efficient to send an aircraft capable of hauling thousands of pounds of cargo on a mission to carry 100-200 pounds of cargo. It is not efficient to have an aircraft capable of hauling 20-30 troops on a mission to transport a key leader and his/her staff (5-10 pax) to meetings. As the Army dudes know, the combat support hospital commander that needs 100-200 pounds of blood to infuse casualties prioritizes effectiveness over being efficient. The commander doing key leader engagements with foreign governmental officials prioritizes effectiveness over efficiency. Certainly efficiency is a consideration, but not the prime consideration. Absent congressmen getting involved to put FCA back in the Army, I believe the next chance for Army Aviators to fly something that can better accomplish the high priority, time sensitive missions, the ground combat commander determines are necessary, is in the hands of the TRADOC capability manager-Lift (TCM-Lift). They are the ones that will need to work on the Future Utility Aircraft (FUA), or whatever it is called now, that will replace the C12 and UC35, 5-10-20 years down the road. Wish them luck as they work their way through the requirements determination process during a time when “efficiency” may be weighted higher in the decision making process due to the fiscal realities the DOD is facing. That’s all I have to say about that!!!

Originally Posted by Madhouse3x

. As the Army dudes know, the combat support hospital commander that needs 100-200 pounds of blood to infuse casualties prioritizes effectiveness over being efficient.