The Effects of Cargo Height Distribution on B-747 and C-17 Airlift

Publisher Marketing: Pallets transported on Boeing 747 (B-747) and Air Force C-17 aircraft in 2009 were analyzed to determine if relaxing the current pallet height restriction of 72 inches to 96 inches would reduce military airlift requirements in Afghanistan. B-747 missions were tracked from the United States to Incirlik Air Base (AB), Turkey and then C-17 missions were tracked from Incirlik AB to six military airfields in Afghanistan. Using data from Air Mobility Command, three models were constructed to dynamically redistribute historical pallets based on user inputs. These models analyzed and redistributed 502 actual B-747 missions carrying over 7,900 pallets and 593 actual C-17 missions carrying approximately 9,400 pallets using a 96 inch pallet height. Since actual pallet contents were unknown, all pallets were assumed to contain sand to allow redistribution. The models showed that pallet redistribution to a height of 96 inches would significantly reduce C-17 airlift requirements into Bastion and Kandahar airfields in Afghanistan. The other four military airfields were not affected due to cargo throughput throughout the year. B-747 missions showed similar savings. A recommendation was made to change the pallet height restriction from 72 inches to 96 inches for B-747 and C-17 aircraft.