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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

B-1B CONVENTIONAL MISSION UPGRADE PROGRAM (CMUP)

	Air Force ACAT ID Program 94 systems Total program cost (TY$) $2,491M Average unit cost (TY$) $10.7M Full-rate production: Block D 1QFY99 Block E 3QFY01 Block F 3QFY02 FOT&E By Upgrade Prime Contractor Boeing North American Aviation

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

Changes to the B-1B Lancer bomber carried out in the Conventional Mission Upgrade Program (CMUP) are intended to enhance conventional weapons delivery capabilities, provide increased situational awareness, increase survivability, and improve supportability. These improvements, built on technological innovation, will equip the B-1B to execute precision engagement by attacking strategic and tactical targets at all stages of conflict.

The B-1B, originally fielded as a nuclear strategic bomber, has been shifted to a conventional role. Initial phases of the CMUP added Cluster Bomb Units to the MK-82 500-pound bombs that the bomber could already deliver. Additional phases of CMUP will provide the following:

• Improved weapon delivery by adding capability to deliver the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)

• GPS and new radios needed for improved performance in conventional warfare

• Provisions for an interim towed decoy to protect the aircraft until a more capable defensive system upgrade is completed

• Upgraded computers for increased weapon flexibility and better supportability

• Integrated Wind-Corrected Munition Dispenser (WCMD) weapons for more accurate delivery of cluster bomb munitions

• Upgraded defensive avionics suite by integrating a radar warning receiver, a radio frequency countermeasures system, and a fiber-optic towed decoy

Future planned upgrades include integration of the Joint Stand-Off Weapon and the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile.

Test planning for the B-1B CMUP is covered by a Capstone TEMP and annexes for each major upgrade. The following are the remaining upgrades:

• Block D includes the data bus and weapons carriage modifications for delivery of the JDAM. Block D also includes software and additional avionics modifications for new radios and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

• Block E includes computer upgrades, related software, and a capability to deliver WCMD.

• Block F includes the Defensive System Upgrade Program and related software changes.

OT&E of the B-1B began in July 1984 with the delivery of the first production aircraft and will continue throughout the lifetime of the aircraft. The most recent test phases were a period of FOT&E on the Block B upgrade, completed in February 1995, and FOT&E of Block C, completed in April 1996. OT&E phases for the remaining CMUP changes are scheduled incrementally as developments are completed and integrated into test aircraft.

The B-1B CMUP Block D was placed on OSD oversight for live fire T&E in December 1993. A waiver from full-up, system-level live fire testing was approved in January 1995. An alternative plan for meeting the live fire test objectives was approved at that time.

DOT&E initially approved the CMUP Capstone TEMP and the Block D annex on January 6, 1995. Subsequently, the following TEMP documents have been approved by DOT&E on the respective dates:

Revised and updated Block D TEMP annex May 29, 1997

Block F (Defensive systems upgrade) TEMP annex March 20,1997

Revised B-1B CMUP Capstone TEMP September 11, 1997

Block E (Computers and WCMD) TEMP annex September 11, 1997

As a result of a congressional mandate to upgrade combat aircraft with GPS before 2000, the Air Force planned to make an early production decision for the GPS and communications portion of the Block D upgrade. In support of this decision, AFOTEC conducted an operational assessment between September 1996 and April 1997.

DOT&E supported the B-1B GPS/Communications kit production decision with a "Summary of Findings," submitted to the Air Force milestone decision authority. DOT&E's report was based on independent monitoring of test activities and review of available documentation, including AFOTEC's operational assessment report.

The alternative plan for live fire T&E is included in the latest approved TEMP as an annex. All testing has been completed and evaluations are in progress. The testing focused on the potential for fire or explosions within and around fuel tanks and on the potential for fuel tank rupture and structural failures due to the hydrodynamic ram effects of ballistic impacts on the fuel tanks.

Combined DT and OT of the entire Block D upgrade is continuing through June 1998. A dedicated IOT&E will be conducted during 4QFY98. DOT&E will continue monitoring B-1B test events and will evaluate the IOT&E. A B-LRIP report will be prepared at the Milestone III decision, currently scheduled for 2QFY99. The report will include results of the T&Es carried out under the alternative live fire test plan.

Combined DT and OT of Blocks E and F is scheduled to begin in FY00. B-LRIP reports will be prepared for each of these block upgrades.

DOT&E concluded that the testing progress on the GPS/Communications portions of the Block D upgrade provide confidence that technical and operational requirements can be eventually met. The risks associated with hardware components are minimal. Software risks are more significant and will require careful management.

An additional major risk to a successful Block D IOT&E is the availability of the Air Force Mission Support System (AFMSS) software upgrade to support the JDAM upgrade. The AFMSS program is behind schedule and has experienced numerous problems which have the strong potential to impact the effectiveness of the Block D, JDAM upgrade.