The Impact of Increased Pallet Utilization on Intra-Theater Airlift

U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) has implemented a new initiative known as the Next Generation Cargo Capability (NGCC) whose goal is to obtain better pallet utilization for cargo traveling in the Defense Transportation System (DTS) by increasing either the size or weight of the pallet. As pallets travel through the supply chain they may be transported via multiple airframes and each airframe has a different cargo capability. This research attempts to determine the impact of building larger pallets on the intra-theater portion of the airlift system. Pallets transported between Dover AFB, DE and the Afghanistan Area of Operations (AOR) were analyzed to determine how they compared to the NGCC utilization goals as well as the impact of these goals on intra-theater aerial port operations. The results show that increased pallet utilization will increase the amount of cargo moved to theater however, if the pallets are not tailored for the intra-theater aircraft, the number of missions required to move pallets within the AOR will increase. A recommendation was made to tailor more pallets to the requirements of the intra-theater aircraft to enjoy the benefits of increased pallet utilization without increasing the number of missions required.