Supporting expeditionary aerospace forces
Subtitle: expanded analysis of LANTIRN options
By: Amatzia Feinberg ... [et al.]
Contributors: Feinberg, Amatzia, 1966-; Project Air Force (U.S.); Rand Corporation; United States. Air Force
Series: MR/Rand Corporation -- MR-1225-AF; MR (Rand Corporation) -- MR-1225-AF
Publisher: Project Air Force, RAND
Published: 2001
Place of publication: Santa Monica, CA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 86
Subjects: United States. -- Air Force -- Equipment -- Maintenance and repair; LANTIRN (Military aeronautics) -- Maintenance and repair
Other titles: Expanded analysis of LANTIRN options
Description: As part of a larger study of support for Expeditionary Aerospace Forces, this analysis addresses logistics structure alternatives for meeting demands for Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) across a spectrum of operational requirements. The LANTIRN system consists of two pods (navigation and targeting) employed by F-16s and F-15Es. The study also amends earlier RAND research with new data collected during the air war over Serbia. The authors compare the current decentralized policy, in which intermediate maintenance capabilities are deployed with flying units, with consolidated options in which maintenance capabilities do not deploy. The authors show that consolidating the LANTIRN intermediate maintenance support system may enhance operational flexibility, improve support responsiveness, and decrease the requirements for highly skilled personnel. However, a regional support structure would be more sensitive to transportation delays and require greater cross-organizational communication. The authors also find that new data suggest that the USAF may not have enough support equipment to meet the requirements of two coincident major theater wars. The decision to centralize or decentralize LANTIRN repair operations hinges not on the expected system costs but on the capability and risk levels the Air Force is willing to accommodate.
Notes: "Prepared for the United States Air Force."

"MR-1225-AF"--P. [4] of cover

Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-86)

Sponsored by the U.S. Air Force. F49642-96-C-0001