Its ability to take off and land like a helicopter yet fly like an airplane, combined with its capacity to haul more troops and equipment farther, faster and with greater survivability than existing helicopters ensures that it will be of enormous value in future actions requiring long-range, swift and stealthy projection of ground forces.
Security analysts have noted a marked shift in India's acquisitions of military hardware, from conventional land-based systems to means of power projection such as airborne refuelling systems and long-range missiles.
Thus, the projection of military power could become hostage to the ability to counter long-range systems even as U.S. forces begin to move into a theater of operations and against an opponent.
She would also appreciate its importance in the projection of American power in Asia and beyond as much of the nation's long-range transport aircraft supplying our military operations around the world transit through Elmendorf.