Which statement best defines Mission Capable (MC) and Not Mission Capable (NMC) in ARM terms?

• A. MC means the aircraft can perform assigned missions; NMC means it cannot due to maintenance, supply, or other issues.
• B. MC means the aircraft is currently undergoing maintenance; NMC means maintenance is complete.
• C. MC means the aircraft is assigned to a mission; NMC means it has no mission assignment.
• D. MC means the aircraft is fueled and ready for takeoff; NMC means it requires refueling.

Answer: (A)

Mission Capable means the aircraft is able to perform its assigned missions under current conditions, while Not Mission Capable means it cannot because of deficiencies such as maintenance requirements, supply shortfalls, or other limiting factors that prevent mission execution. This distinction is about readiness to actually execute a mission now, not merely being scheduled or assigned to one. Being in a maintenance shop or lacking a required part would push it to NMC, even if it’s conceptually assigned to a mission. Fueling status is part of overall readiness, but alone does not define mission capability.