General MAXSON. The total procurement cost is currently estimated at $532.0M. The current estimate of $532.0M compares with $459.5M contained in the Presidents fiscal year 1978 budget. The increase of $72.5M resulted from stretching the program from 2 years to 4 years in order to accommodate fiscal constraints.

B-52 MISSION SIMULATOR FUNDED ABOVE TARGET

Senator GOLDWATER. How much is the B-52 mission simulator program currently funded above target?

General MAXSON. The program has $7.6M available to cover costs above target.

USE OF FUNDS TRANSFERRED FROM C-130 MS

Senator GOLDWATER. How was the $13.6M transferred from the C-130 MS program used?

General MAXSON. The following breakout details how $13.6M is to be allocated in the B-52 WST program:

Funds available above target----

Design criteria data w/updates for new B-52 A/C mods (OAS/ALCM).
Engineering change orders_----

Government furnished equipment..

Total

RFP FOR B-52 AIRCRAFT AVIONICS MODIFICATION

Millions

$7.3

4. 3 1.7

.3

13.6

Senator GOLDWATER. When is the RFP due out for the B-52 aircraft avionics modification and who are the potential bidders?

General MAXSON. The Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the B-52 G/H aircraft avionics modifications were issued by Boeing Wichita on 20 January 1978. The Boeing Company was authorized by an Air Force R.D.T. & E. contract issued 12 October 1977 to be the program integrator. Boeing was to define the program, produce schedules and costs, and select subsystem vendors. From this evaluation (October 1977 to May 1978) Boeing was to negotiate a final R.D.T. & E. contract. This contract is to be signed by June 1978. The contract was to cover only the B-52 Avionics Update-Phase One/OAS.

Eight RFPs were prepared by Boeing. Six were issued for competitive source selection. The RFP for the inertial navigation system (INS) was not issued because the Air Force is considering using the Air Force developed standard precision navigator (SPN/GEANS). The RFP for the Bulk Storage Unit has been cancelled because the unit is no longer required in the system. The RFPs are listed below with the contractors responding on each.

AVIONICS ENGINEERING DESIGN DATA

Senator GOLDWATER. When does the Air Force require the avionics engineering design data for the simulator program?

General MAXSON. The Air Force (Simulator Program Office) requires the avionics engineering design data for the B-52 simulator program not later than January 1979 for subsequent incorporation of the data package into the Phase II Production Proposal instructions which will be released in March 1979. However, lead-time is required to allow the avionics contractor to define and compile the appropriate engineering design data which is expected to take 6 months (June-December 1978).

COMPUTERS TO BE CFE OR GFE

Senator GOLDWATER. Are the computers to be used in the B-52 simulator program to be CFE or GFE? Why?

General MAXSON. The computers will be CFE.

It is in the best interests of the Air Force to require the contractor to assume performance responsibility prior to Air Force acceptance.

WHY PAY FOR COMPUTER MANUAL UPDATES

Senator GOLDWATER. Why is the Air Force paying for computer manual updates?

General MAXSON. The computers to be used in the B-52 simulator are designed for general application. In order to apply computer features in a military simulator environment, specific modifications will be incorporated. As a result of these modifications, commercial program and operating manuals to be procured by the Air Force must also be updated to reflect the specific military application.

PROBLEMS WITH EVS

Senator GOLDWATER. What are the major difficulties in designing, developing and producing the electro-optical viewing system for the B-52 flight simulator? General MAXSON. There are three major difficulties associated with developing a device to simulate the real-world electro-optical viewing system (EVS) presentation:

(a) The first difficulty centers on providing an automated means to produce a data base that uses the Defense Mapping Agency data and correlates with the Digital Radar Landmass Simulator (DRLMS) presentation.

(b) The second difficulty is to provide a device that simulates each sensor's characteristics as these appear in the real world, for example, blooming, streaking, object emissivity and intensity.

(c) The third difficulty is providing a software program that is capable of rapidly processing the large amount of data required to simulate EVS, particularly the high terrain flow rate at low altitude.

CONTRACTOR PLANT CAPACITY IF KC-135 MS ADDED

Senator GOLDWATER. Referring back to the B-52 simulator question on plant capacity, what happens to your assessment when three KC-135 mission simulators are also added to the problem?

General MAXSON. The additional three KC-135's do not impose any constraints on plant capacity since the Air Force plant survey assumed the original full production procurement of 17 B-52 weapon system trainers and 27 KC-135 weapon system trainers.

KC-135/B-52 MS FLYOFF

Senator GOLDWATER. Is it possible in the KC-135/B-52 MS flyoff for one contractor to win the B-52 MS while the other contractor wins the KC-135 MS? General MAXSON. It is possible but extremely unlikely in view of the fact that the two competing contractors are building Weapon System Trainer (WST) complexes rather than stand alone WSTS (same as MS). A complex consists of a B-52 WST and a KC-135 WST. When the WSTs are combined in a complex some of the equipment. i.e., computer memory and visual system, is shared between WSTS. Selecting two separate contractors would eliminate some of the major advantages gained by combining the two WSTs in the area of commonality of parts and systems.

SCHEDULE FOR C-130 MS

Senator GOLDWATER. Provide a production and delivery schedule for the 9 C-130 MS's requested this year.

General MAXSON. The production option for nine simulators should be exercised by third Quarter/fiscal year 1979. The C-130 production and delivery schedule for nine C-130 operational flight trainers is shown below:

Note: The No. 1 simulator listed is currently under contract. Simulators 2 through 10 represent the option of 9 to be exercised by 3d quarter/fiscal year 1979.

BASING PLAN FOR C-130 MS

Senator GOLDWATER. What is the basing plan for the C-130 mission simulators? General MAXSON. The basing plan for C-130 mission simulators is as follows:

Senator GOLDWATER. Why does AFTEC only monitor rather than manage the C-130 program?

General MAXSON. AFTEC manages major system acquisition programs. These programs are defined by DOD Directive 5000.1 as involving an anticipated cost of $75 million in research, development, test and evaluation (R.D.T. & E.) or $300 million in production. The C-130 program falls below the major program threshold and is therefore only monitored by AFTEC.

VISUAL CAPABILITY FOR C-130 PROGRAM

Senator GOLDWATER. Air Force plans to request an additional $35.4M for the C-130 program in FY 80 to add full visual capability. Is the visual system to be incorporated on the C-130 MS presently a production item, or is the system contemplated still under development?

General MAXSON. The C-130 visual system is now in competitive source selection with contract award anticipated in May 1978. Because it is off-the-shelf technology, a development program was not conducted.

R&D EFFORTS SUPPORT PROCUREMENT OF C-130 VISUAL SYSTEMS

Senator GOLDWATER. HOW do ongoing R&D efforts in the visual area support the planned procurement of C-130 visual systems? What type of visual system is contemplated?

General MAXSON. R&D visual simulation efforts have supported the planned procurement of C-130 visual systems by developing techniques to digitally generate the visual scene with circular features rather than straight lines or "edges." In addition, improved image quality provides the necessary texturing to enhance altitude and velocity cues, both essential for simulating visually C-130 operations in a drop-zone.

The visual system contemplated for the C-130 simulator is of the Computer Image Generation (CIG) type.

T-38 IFS STATUS

Senator GOLDWATER. Provide a brief summary of how the T-38 IFS program is progressing.

General MAXSON. Student training is being conducted in the T-38 IFS at two UPT bases and T-38 IFS equipment is being installed at a third base. Equipment installation and checkout is proceeding on schedule with the last T-38 complex scheduled "Ready For Training" on 15 Jan 1980. Based on our limited training experience with the T-38 IFS-student training began 27 Feb 1978—the devices are performing satisfactorily.

TRAINERS ASSIGNED TO REESE AFB

Senator GOLDWATER. Are the trainers assigned to Reese AFB now operational? General MAXSON. All trainers at Reese are operational.

ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR T-38 IFS

Senator GOLDWATER. Are any additional funds anticipated to be required for this program? Why?

General MAXSON. No. Proposed funding is adequate to complete the program.

T-37/T-38 IFS COMPLEXES

Senator GOLDWATER. For the record, provide an explanation of how the T-37/ T-38 IFS complexes will be fitted with CIG's, to include a cost and installation schedule. Also provide an explanation of what happens to any surplus equipment. General MAXSON. The current program to procure a 50/50 mix of Terrain Model Board (TMB) complexes and Computer Image Generation (CIG) (12 TMB/10 CIG) will not exceed the initial $134.7 million estimated for 22 TMB complexes. In lieu of not exercising the last option for 10 TMB complexes, 10 CIG complexes will be procured. Of the four complexes at each base (2 T-37, 2 T-38), two will have a CIG visual capability while the remaining two complexes (1 T-37, 1 T-38) will retain the existing TMB apparatus. There is no surplus equipment identified.

VISUAL SYSTEMS FOR F/FB-111 FLIGHT SIMULATORS

Senator GOLDWATER. How many visual systems does the Air Force now have under contract for the FB/F-111 flight simulators?

General MAXSON. The Air Force is on contract with Singer/Link for 10 Computer Image Generation (CIG) systems to be placed on the F/FB-111 simulators.

F/FB-111 VISUAL SYSTEMS INITIALLY PROVIDED

Senator GOLDWATER. When was this equipment initially provided to the Air Force and what is the ready-for-training date?

General MAXSON. The initial visual modification is being installed on the FB-111 simulator at Plattsburg AFB. Contract delivery date is April 1978, with a ready-for-training (RFT) expected in June 1978.

F/FB-111 BASES RECEIVE SYSTEMS

Senator GOLDWATER. Provide the schedule that shows when each FB/F-111 base will receive these systems.

General MAXSON. The following is a schedule of delivery dates per location as contracted:

1

MAINTENANCE TRAINING COURSES

Senator GOLDWATER. What is the status of the maintenance training courses necessary for Air Force to maintain this equipment?

General MAXSON. Maintenance training courses for the FB/F-111 flight simulator visual system modification were to be purchased from the contractor, Singer Co, as the number of Air Force personnel to be trained is small and since Air Training Command does not have the equipment necessary to conduct such training. The FY 78 budget was insufficient to cover all contract training requirements. The FB/F-111 simulator visual system maintenance training fell below the funded line when ranked in priority with other requirements. The Air Force has requested reprogramming action for $4.5M to cover this and other unfunded contract training requirements. The reprogramming request decision is pending Congressional action.

DELAY IN TRAINING PROGRAMS

Senator GOLDWATER. Has there been a delay in getting people through required training programs in order to be ready to maintain the equipment when it arrived?

General MAXSON. Because of funding problems for purchase of contract training, no Air Force personnel have yet been trained to maintain the visual system being added to F/FB-111 flight simulators.

INTERIM SUPPORT CONTRACT REQUIRED

Senator GOLDWATER. Will interim contract support be required and, if so, for how long?

General MAXSON. No; however, contractor maintenance which includes contractor labor only, is planned through December 31, 1978.

USE OF CONTRACTOR FLIGHT SIMULATORS

Senator GOLDWATER. Has the use of contractor flight simulators proved to be a cost effective approach?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the contractor approach? General MAXSON. The use of contractor flight simulators has proven cost effective in CT-39 initial training. Contract simulation in the CT-39 initial training program is advantageous in that state-of-the-art visual simulation is provided without the need for Air Force capital investment. Another advantage is the St. Louis location of the CT-39 simulator, convenient to the MAC Central Training Facility at Scott AFB, Ill.

The major disadvantage of contract simulation in CT-39 initial training is the lack of competition in CT-39 commercial simulation. Flight Safety International (FSI) owns the only ST-39 Simulator in the country, thus the contract is negotiated on a sole-source basis. It costs less to initially train a student using the FSI CT-39 simulator than it does to conduct all initial training in the aircraft; however, the CT-39 simulation cost ($292 per simulator hour) is high when compared to other Air Force simulation contracts. In comparison, C-9 training at FSI negotiated on a competitive contract is $140 per simulator hour.

FUNDS FOR B-1 FLIGHT SIMULATOR

Senator GOLDWATER. Are there any funds for a B-1 flight simulator in the $105M requested for B-1 R. & D. for fiscal year 1979?

General MAXSON. No, sir. The B-1 flight simulator was cancelled with the termination of the production related B-1 RDT&E tasks subsequent to the President's decision not to deploy the B-1.

AMOUNT SPENT ON B-1 SIMULATOR

Senator GOLDWATER. What amount had previously been spent on a B-1 simulator prior to the cancellation of the B-1 production?

General MAXSON. We completed a requirements definition study for the B-1 simulator and a two contractor, competitive design effort with Boeing-Singer and Gruman before the B-1 simulator program was cancelled. The cost of these efforts was approximately $4.8 million.