Headquarters U.S. Air Force Fly – Fight – Win Transitioning Operational Weapons Systems: Proof by Trial Maj Gen David Eichhorn Commander, AFFTC 14 September 2009
Fly – Fight – Win Overview Rapid fielding & ACTDs Blessing or a curse? DT&E early independent assessment post MS B Schedule absorption Weapon system “affordability” Clear accountability in design Life Cycle Cost Control in Jeopardy!
Fly – Fight – Win Pay Me Now… Pay Me Later “I would gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger Today” ACTDs are a “pay me later” Wpn System`
Fly – Fight – Win Proof by Trial Independent Assessment Operationally relevant Requirements lead to specifications Specs hold the contractor accountable Dreamware / Brochure hype Life Cycle Cost Performance tradeoffs considered Reliability, maintainability -- addressed early Otherwise retrofit, workarounds, etc. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK Your One Last Chance
Fly – Fight – Win Challenge: Background Matters! Accountability in Performance Not all solutions are compatible!
Fly – Fight – Win BOMBERS AIRLIFT/AIR DROP FIGHTERS AIRBORNE LASER TANKERS HYPERSONIC FLIGHT TEST UAV / UCAV Proof by Trial Systems Under Test
Fly – Fight – Win Edwards AFB, CA 308,000 Acres 29,000 Ft Concrete Runways 59 Miles Lakebed Runways 11.7M Sq Ft Ramp Space 573 Miles Roads 270 Miles Electrical Lines 194 Miles Wastewater Lines 72 Miles Natural Gas Lines 3,800 Structures 9.5M Sq Ft Facility Space 1M Sq Ft in 19 Hangars 1.8M Sq Ft Technical Support Space AFFTC Footprint Recovery is Enhanced Population – 12,949 AF Active Duty – 1,701 NASA & AFRL Civilians – 3,471 Associates & NAF Contractors – 4,651 Dependants – 1,998 Reservists – 121
Fly – Fight – Win Summary Acquisition Excellence Independent Technical Assessments Government experts Proven methodology By definition we never know everything at the start of a program Disciplined learning Disciplined reaction Test, or proof by trial, is a necessary pain
Fly – Fight – Win Typical Day-in-the-Life AFFTC Flight Ops Typical Day-in-the-Life
Fly – Fight – Win Questions?