Specialized Undergraduate Flight Training

Mission — Specialized Undergraduate Flight Training source

Supports Air Education and Training Command's (AETC) implementation of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training and the Department of Defense initiative for joint pilot training. Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Training (URT) continues development, integration, testing, and deploying activities for the new URT Fundamentals Training System. This program produces RPA pilots and Sensor Operators from accession sources to man RPA squadrons. T-6 Operational System Development continues follow on development activities to the T-6 including but not limited to studies & development efforts, instructional courseware, and logistics support to include Diminishing Manufacturing Sources & Material Shortages (DMSMS) and development activities related to DMSMS. Included is development for the Next Generation On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS), Crash Survivable Recorder (CSR), Avionics Replacement Program (ARP) and associated upgrades. There are currently 443 aircraft in the Air Force inventory with a service life through Dec 2049. The T-38 is a twin-engine, two-seat (tandem), supersonic jet trainer. The T-38C is used by AETC as an advanced trainer in Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, and by Air Force Materiel Command as a test bed for fighter-type aircraft capability. T-38A/B aircraft are used by Air Combat Command as a companion trainer for U-2 operational units and in Adversary Air (ADAIR) exercises supporting F-22 readiness, and by Air Force Global Strike Command as a companion trainer for B-2 operational units. There are currently 497 active T-38s in the Air Force inventory (53 T-38A, six AT-38B and 438 T-38C). T-38s first entered service in 1960 with an average service life of over 50 years. In FY 2024, this PE provided $10.0 million for a Rapid Acquisition Authority requirement. This requirement supports performance of a full financial audit as required by title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.951 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative." This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY 2024 $1.885 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $3.063 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Mission — T-38 Operational System Development source

The T-38 RDT&E budget is focused on modifications needed to overcome Diminishing Manufacturing Sources & Material Shortages (DMSMS), of aging of critical components, emerging safety concerns, and cybersecurity risks. Operational Flight Program (OFP) block upgrades incorporate software improvements for the aircraft and aircrew training devices (ATDs) to address flight safety issues, and to comply with new capabilities mandated by Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration, or National Airspace System. RDT&E includes but is not limited to the following: Terminal Avionics Replacement Program (TARP). F3I components requiring RDT&E include, but are not limited to, the Electronic Engine Display (EED), Multi-Function Display (MFD), Video Data Transfer Unit (VDTU), and Head-Up Display Camera (HUDC). Failure to fund these efforts will result in fleet-wide T-38C non-serviceability starting in Apr 2026. Canopy Open Warning (COW) is a safety modification to the T-38C and is currently in development and will provide an aural warning to the pilot(s) that the canopy is unsecure prior to and during flight. This modification will be incorporated into the aircraft concurrent with the HUDC and VDTU development and installation. Low-cost Avionics Modernization Program (LAMP I) is complete as of FY24 and was required to develop, integrate, and replace the Attitude Director Indicator (ADI), Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI). LAMP I may also require a follow-on contract for the replacement of the Attitude Gyro Control Assembly, Rate Switching Gyro, Rate Gyro Transmitter, Servo-Amplifier, and Flight Director Computer for the T-38A/AT-38B. This effort will require both RDT&E and procurement funds to mitigate ongoing component failures and meet operational needs. The T-38 Studies and Development effort captures ongoing and emerging RDT&E requirements, to include budget for flight test, OFP updates, and emerging obsolescence or safety issues. Additional revisions may occur under this effort. Failure to fund these efforts will prevent the T-38 program from rapidly responding to emerging RDT&E requirements. Current requirements include but are not limited to, Block Upgrades, T-38A/B/C Electronic Flight Bag DC Power Supply, T-38A/B/C Beacon Light Assembly, T-38A/B/C Landing Taxi Light Assembly, T-38C Emergency Locator Transmitter, T-38A/B Control of Both Radios, Flight Director Computer, and T-38C 5G Band Pass Filter. This requirement supports performance of a full financial audit as required by title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY 2024 $0.000 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $0.000 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

Mission — T-6 Operational System Development source

T-6 Operational System Development continues follow on development activities to Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) including but not limited to studies and development efforts, instructional courseware, and logistics support to include Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) and development activities related to DMS. Included is development for the Crash Survivable Recorder, Avionics Replacement Program (ARP), Enhanced Mission Cockpit (EMC) and associated upgrades. There are currently 443 aircraft (442 AETC & one TA-D Test aircraft) in the Air Force inventory. Remaining service life is through Dec 2049. Funding contained in this platform's documentation directly aids Air Education Training Command (AETC) flying training enterprise and increase overall pilot production and reduce USAF pilot shortage. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program's funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY 2024 $1.742 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $2.919 million is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

Mission — Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Training source

This effort supports Air Education and Training Command's (AETC) implementation of Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Training (URT). URT produces RPA pilots and Sensor Operators from accession sources to man RPA squadrons. Success of the program is heavily dependent on multiple training systems to prepare undergraduate students for entry in RPA Formal Training Units (FTU). 19AF/CC approved a significant system upgrade along with a change in software. This change allowed for a more flexible and adaptable training system that can carry URT into the future. Funding will be used to develop organic software capabilities, update obsolete equipment, and develop new training tools. The goal of these changes is to build a more capable set of training systems focused on reducing costs while ensuring RPA training is ready to support the National Defense Strategy from today into tomorrow. Funds may be used to address emerging and short-notice Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortage (DMSMS) issues. Diminishing Manufacturing Sources efforts include removal of end-of-life software/hardware within simulators systems and move to a modular, common open system architecture that is sustainable and cyber-resilient. Implementation requirements and standards are defined under the Simulator Common Architecture Requirements and Standards (SCARS) initiative. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY 2024 $0.143 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 $0.144 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (5)