Pentagon budget 2018: US Air Force requests funding to improve aircraft ranges

[Zarvan]

The USAF requested money in its FY 2018 budget to improve aircraft training ranges for use with fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35 Lightning II JSF. Source: Lockheed Martin
Key Points

• USAF requesting USD127 million for improved training ranges
• Top USAF officer says virtual training key to maximising pilot effectiveness

The US Air Force (USAF) requested funding in its fiscal year 2018 (FY 2018) budget request for construction of improved aircraft ranges in Utah and Nevada.

USAF Chief of Staff General David Goldfein and service Secretary Heather Wilson said on 6 June in a prepared congressional testimony that the improved ranges at the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) and Red Flag would allow the USAF to use the full range of capabilities available to F-35A aircrews. Red Flag, an air-to-air combat training exercise, is located at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) in Nevada.

The FY 2018 budget requested USD28 million in military construction (MILCON) funds to build a Consolidated Mission Control Centre (CMCC) at UTTR. USAF spokesperson Erika Yepsen said on 6 June the CMCC will provide a secure mission facility that will be able to command and control four separate test, evaluation, or training events on the range at a single time.

Yepsen said this new facility, scheduled to complete in FY 2021, will enable the F-35 Lightening II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) multirole aircraft, F-22 Raptor multirole fighter, and several other long range weapon programmes to conduct simultaneous test and training events on the range without compromising safety or security of the event. Building a new CMCC at UTTR will require the demolition of three facilities. If appropriated funding to build the CMCC, the USAF expects a contract award in August and construction to begin in September.

The USAF requested a total of USD61 million for a pair of new facilities at Nellis AFB: a Red Flag fifth-generation facility addition and a Virtual Warfare Centre Operations (VWCO) facility. The service requested USD38 million for the new VWCO facility and USD23 million for the Red Flag fifth-generation facility.

Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options:　ihs.com/contact




To read the full article, Client Login
(334 of 601 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/71265/...e-requests-funding-to-improve-aircraft-ranges