Research for Attack Aircraft

The kind of information that can be obtained from analysis of Aircraft Vulnerability Report Forms is described, and the results of a preliminary study, made to determine the value of a larger-scale analysis, are reported. The study concludes that: (1) although hits from ground fire are uniformly distributed over both jet and conventional aircraft, the jets received a greater proportion from ahead and directly below; (2) in terms of aircraft lost per hit, the F-4U is twice as vulnerable as the F-9F, which is in turn twice as vulnerable as the AD; and, (3) the variation in vulnerability among aircraft can be markedly affected by design.

Studies the relationship between aircraft readiness and spares usage at the squadron level, specifically for the F-4B, CH-53 and TA-4F. The study determines the best combinations of aircraft, maintenance man-hours, and spare parts for various budgets. Since the availability of spare parts is a big factor in aircraft readiness, a detailed examination was made of the spare parts resupply system, and recommendations are made for improving this system for decreasing the time it takes for a supply requisition to be filled. Additional recommendations are made for changing the current method of estimating the quantities of spare parts needed for a specific aircraft model.

This study determines the effectiveness of various A-1 aircraft payloads against bridges. The optimum load, regardless of bridge type, consists of eight 500 pound bombs plus additional ordnance as permitted by radius, loading time, and weight considerations. The effects of different intervalometer settings and approach angles are also analyzed: effectiveness is reduced if long intervalometer settings are used, but is insensitive to approach angle if the optimum setting is used. Data for adjusting the effectiveness estimate to reflect variations in bridge size and delivery accuracy are also provided.