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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

JOINT PRIMARY AIRCRAFT TRAINING SYSTEM (JPATS)

	Joint air Force/Navy ACAT IC Program 711 aircraft Total program cost (TY$) $3995M Average unit cost (TY$) $5M Full-rate production 1QFY00 Prime Contractor Raytheon Aircraft Company

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) is a diverse set of primary flight training devices tailored to meet USAF and USN aircrew requirements. The JPATS principal mission is to train entry-level USAF/USN student pilots in primary flying skills to a level of proficiency where they can transition into an advanced pilot training track leading to qualification as military pilots. JPATS is designed to replace the USAF T-37B and USN T-34C aircraft and their associated ground training systems.

JPATS consists of the T-6A Texan II air vehicles, aircrew training devices, courseware, various syllabi, classroom academic courses, computer based instruction, and computerized data management systems. The Services will acquire common aircraft and the remaining components (simulators, associated hardware, courseware, and information management systems) will be as common as possible. Logistics support will be tailored to each Service's maintenance concept.

The ground and air components of JPATS support the JV 2010 objective of preparing joint warriors to meet the challenges of future battlespaces by insuring they are properly trained.

In response to FY89 Congressional direction, DoD submitted the 1989 Trainer Aircraft Master Plan which documented the status of USAF and USN pilot training programs. In December 1990 the Joint Requirements Oversight Council validated the JPATS Mission Need Statement. Operational requirements were subsequently codified in the JPATS Operational Requirements Document. In January 1992 JPATS was designated a Defense Acquisition Pilot Program.

An Early Operational Assessment was conducted during the Source Selection Flight Evaluation (SSFE) from July 1994 through October 1994 at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Seven candidate aircraft were evaluated, and each one completed 13 flights. Milestone II was held in August 1995, and the Raytheon Corporation was awarded contracts for Lots I and II in February 1996. A MS II TEMP was approved in July 1995. The ORD was updated in December 1996. The Ground Based Training System (GBTS) contract award to Flight Safety Services Corporation was delayed to April 1997.

In March 1997, DOT&E approved a plan for a three-phase operational assessment (OA) during qualification testing of the air vehicle. The first phase of OA flight testing was completed in April 1997. Phase II of OA flight testing planned to start in January 1998.

Developmental testing of the aircraft by Raytheon as well as qualification testing and evaluation (QT&E) by the Air Force and the Navy are ongoing. Raytheon is working towards an FAA type certification goal of October 1998. A second phase of Government QT&E testing will occur after acceptance of the first production aircraft, tentatively in November 1998.

Suitability data for the OA will be collected over-the-shoulder of the contractor by AFOTEC and AETC maintenance personnel.

The multi-Service operational test and evaluation (MOT&E) of the aircraft is planned for the summer of 1999. The GBTS MOT&E is currently intended to have two phases: an in-plant MOT&E in the 4QFY00 and an on-site MOT&E at Randolph AFB approximately one year later. At this time, both parts of the GBTS MOT&E will be conducted after the aircraft MS III.

At present, the MS II TEMP is being updated due to changes in the ORD and selection of the GBTS contractor. This revision should contain a more detailed plan for testing the requirements of all GBTS components and the full range of air vehicle missions described in the ORD.

OA Phase I looked at four areas: effectiveness and suitability, programmatic voids, program documentation and ability to support the aircraft MOT&E. The flying assessment consisted of 10 missions / 16 flight hours conducted from April 22 through May 1, 1997. A human factors assessment consisted of 28 pilots (13 AF/ 15 Navy) conducted May 6-7, 1997. Both assessments were at Raytheon Aircraft Company.

Nine COI's, addressing all aspects of ground and flight training will be assessed during the OA. Those aspects include safety, basic flight maneuvers, spins, stalls, and ground training devices. Each assessment will identify favorable trends, significant concerns, concerns requiring additional attention and concerns receiving adequate attention. In OA Phase I COI's addressing spins, stalls, and ground egress each had significant safety or human factors concerns.

Although all spins were completed successfully, there was a limited envelope for entry conditions. Expanded entry conditions such as different aircraft configurations, altitudes and airspeeds, for OA phase II are anticipated which will allow a more thorough evaluation. There were significant concerns with the variability of the stall characteristics. Student pilots benefit from a consistent set of stall characteristics. Recognizing a stall is essential to successful recovery of the aircraft from this condition by student pilots. Developmental work is on-going. The current ground egress time exceeds the maximum allowable time of 15 seconds and requires thirteen separate steps. Improvements are being addressed.

JPATS is intended to expand the pool of pilot candidates by accommodating a broader range of stature, sitting height, and body weight profiles. This requires development and testing of a modified ejection seat with improved restraints and new dynamics. Safety concerns have lengthened development and delayed testing. DOT&E continues to monitor progress on this Congressional interest item.