The US military still faces a looming capability gap in moving Army medium-weight weapon systems by air within a combat theater, the Government Accountability Office warned in a report Thursday. GAO said “only” the C-17 is currently capable of transporting heavier equipment, such as armored Strykers and MRAPs, within theater, as these are “too large and bulky” for C-130s. Yet, C-17s cannot transport these vehicles “into austere, short, or unimproved landing areas,” according to GAO. While the Air Force-Army joint future theater lift concept to replace older C-130s will address this shortfall, JFTL fielding is not expected until 2024, based on current planning, said GAO. This means that C-17s may have to be used more in tactical heavy lift roles to mitigate—but not fill—this gap between 2016 and when JFTL is available, potentially impacting the C-17’s “primary role as a strategic airlifter,” said GAO.
The Pentagon plans to use U.S. Air Force C-17s and C-130s to deport 5,400 people currently detained by Customs and Border Protection, officials announced Jan. 22, the first act in President Donald Trump’s sweeping promise to crack down on undocumented immigrants and increase border security.