Launching the Workhorse: Vertical or Super-Short Takeoff Capabilities for the Next Theater Airlift Aircraft

This study is an assessment of whether the US Air Force should anticipate modernizing its core theater airlift fleet with aircraft designed for super-short takeoffs or landings under rough-field conditions (SSTOL-RF) or aircraft designs focused on vertical takeoffs or landings (VTOL) with secondary SSTOL-RF capabilities (V/SSTOL-RF).