Research Catalog

Title

Maximizing throughput at soft airfields / Christopher A. Mouton ; prepared for the United States Air Force.

Author

Mouton, Christopher A.

Publication

Santa Monica, CA : RAND Corporation, 2013.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Holdings

Details

Additional Authors

Project Air Force (U.S.)

Description

xi, 15 pages : illustrations; 28 cm.

Summary

Aircraft operations on soft fields are limited due to field rutting. Each subsequent aircraft pass, defined as one takeoff and one landing, increases field rutting until the field reaches a point where further aircraft operations are no longer permissible. The ability of aircraft to operate on soft fields is often expressed as a function of aircraft landing weight and the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of the field (which measures the ability of the soil to resist compressive loads). Because soft fields can support only a limited number of takeoffs and landings, it is important to understand how to maximize the cargo throughput at these soft fields. The calculations in this document show that there exists an optimum landing weight that allows for maximum cargo delivery. This optimum landing weight is constant and independent of both aircraft ramp weight and field CBR. There is also is a maximum landing weight at which a given cargo requirement can be met. The author illustrates these calculations using the C-17A, which is one of the options being considered in the joint future theater airlift analysis of alternatives.

Series Statement

Research report

Subject

• Air bases, American
• Airlift, Military > United States > Planning
• C-17 (Jet transport)

Note

• "RAND Project Air Force."
• "RR-148-AF"--Page 4 of cover.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Introduction -- Purpose and organization of this report -- Calculating optimum landing weight -- Boeing C-17A analysis -- Conclusions.

ISBN

• 9780833078650 (pbk. : alk. paper)
• 0833078658 (pbk. : alk. paper)

LCCN

^^2013012407

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library