C-17 Air Mobility Command Airlift Recapitalization Strategy

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Robins Air Force Base has issued a Special Notice regarding the C-17 Air Mobility Command Airlift Recapitalization Strategy. This notice addresses the strategic planning required to maintain uninterrupted inter-theater airlift capacity during the extended service life of existing cargo aircraft. The posting was made on November 19, 2025, with a response deadline of January 30, 2026. The opportunity is classified under PSC R499 (Support - Professional: Other) and does not include any small business set-asides. This notice represents planning documentation for the Air Force's long-term airlift fleet management and modernization approach.

The Special Notice outlines the Air Force's strategy to maintain operational viability of the C-5M and C-17A aircraft fleets while developing their eventual replacement through the Next Generation Airlift (NGAL) program. The C-5M fleet must remain viable until 2045, while the C-17A fleet requires continued operational capability through 2075, with NGAL projected to achieve Initial Operational Capability by FY41 under an accelerated acquisition timeline. The primary objective is to mitigate risks associated with potential acquisition delays, funding uncertainties, or technological challenges by extending the service life and Military Type Certificates of current platforms. Key considerations include maintaining uninterrupted airlift capacity, sustaining one-for-one aircraft replacement ratios as the fleets transition to NGAL, and ensuring consistent funding throughout the recapitalization process. Contractors should note this represents a foundational planning document that establishes requirements for maintaining current fleet viability during the multi-decade transition period to next-generation airlift capabilities.