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?