The Army believes that it needs a replacement for the C-23 Sherpa aircraft that provides transport of mission critical, time sensitive (MCTS) cargo and passengers to brigade combat teams conducting combat operations. This issue is particularly relevant in counterinsurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan where ground forces are widely dispersed across long resupply distances. This occasional paper concludes that the C-27J Spartan is a reasonable replacement for the MCTS cargo and passenger mission in all performance categories. The Army's direct support approach for moving MCTS shipments using its organic aircraft is inherently more responsive than that of the Air Force. But both services should be able to improve the responsiveness of delivering MCTS shipments, but the Army should be in a better position to do so if it retains direct control of its fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

"Prepared for the United States Army"--T.p.

Introduction -- Mission critical, time sensitive shipments -- Aircraft performance characteristics and capabilities needed to perform the MCTS mission -- Air tasking procedures for MCTS missions -- Changes in organization and employment that may improve MCTS shipments -- Use of the C-27J for MCTS missions in counterinsurgency operations.