Since current wisdom believes the 180-cap put on C-17s is purely budget driven, one way to get additional dollars for the new airlifter—often described by USAF leaders as “worth its weight in gold”—would be to can the Joint Cargo Aircraft program. At least that is the view of Loren Thompson. The veteran defense analyst suggested same in a Lexington Institute issue paper (see above) decrying the Army-Air Force JCA effort as “a unique solution” to fill a “two-three percent” delivery niche. With the $5 billion going toward the JCA, Thompson says, you could buy 80 new C-130s or 24 C-17s, “each of which is more versatile than the proposed Joint Cargo Aircraft.”
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…