A strategic airlifter and a tactical airlifter look similar, but the latter has a smaller wingspan and stronger landing gear. A tanker has a saddleback section on top of the fuselage, leaving the cabin clear for cargo. One version could meet an Air Force Vista study challenge of 12,000-mile, unrefueled true global resupply range. Engine reliability is such that transport pilots have no reservations about extended twin-engine overwater operations. Military logisticians are turning to commercial airlift, such as FedEx, for quick response.
Commercial limitations are a factor.
These cause Kirkland to estimate a continuing split of 65 percent military aircraft and 35 percent commercial to meet total sustainment needs. No one company or country may have the resources to develop and build a future airlifter. Rather, Kirkland says, it will take companies in Europe, the US, and Asia, all linked in a common computer-aided design data base. Individual countries won't want to pay what amounts to a tax for going it alone. Airplane companies are expert at producing futuristic drawings, sometimes like the vaporware that software developers generate to discourage competition.