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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
	FY98 Annual Report

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The B-1B Lancer is a long-range, supersonic bomber, capable of flying intercontinental missions. With air refueling it can attack targets anywhere in the world and return to bases in the U.S. The B-1B's design features a swing-wing, four F-101-GE-102 afterburning turbofan engines, a defensive avionics system comprised primarily of the AN/ALQ-161A radio frequency surveillance and ECM system (i.e., a self-protection jammer), and a tail warning system coupled to a flare/chaff dispenser.

Originally designed as a nuclear weapons delivery platform, the B-1B is undergoing the Conventional Mission Upgrade Program (CMUP) to transition to a conventional-only platform. Conventional weapons and defensive system upgrades will improve the B-1B's lethality and survivability. Programmed reliability and maintainability improvements, such as computer avionics upgrades, will make the B-IB more affordable to operate. All of these improvements will equip the B-1B to execute precision engagement by attacking strategic and tactical targets at all stages of conflict. Carrying 84 general purpose 500-pound bombs or 30 cluster bombs, the B-1B has the unique capability to project power rapidly, precisely, and globally¾ key tenants of dominant maneuver.

The remaining phases of CMUP consist of three principal "blocks:"

• Block D: Provides the B-1B with the capability to carry and deliver the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), and adds Global Positioning System (GPS) capability and an upgraded communications package with updated anti-jam radios.

• Block E: Upgrades computers for increased weapon flexibility and better reliability, and integrates Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD) weapons for more accurate delivery of cluster bomb munitions from high altitudes. It also enables integration of the Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) and the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).

• Block F: Defensive System Upgrade Program (DSUP)-Upgrades the defensive avionics suite by integrating a radar warning receiver, a radio frequency countermeasures system, and a fiber-optic towed decoy.

Test planning for the B-1B CMUP is covered by a Capstone TEMP and annexes for each major upgrade. DOT&E initially approved the CMUP Capstone TEMP and Block D annex on January 6, 1995. Subsequently, DOT&E approved the following TEMP documents on the dates below:

Revised and Updated Block D TEMP annex May 29, 1997

Block F (DSUP) TEMP annex March 20, 1997

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

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

A waiver from full-up, system-level Live Fire Testing was approved in January 1995 together with an alternative plan for meeting the LFT&E objectives. The alternative plan for LFT&E is included in the latest approved TEMP as an annex.

DT&E flight-testing of the Block D upgrade began in January 1998 at Edwards AFB, CA. Seventy-seven sorties and 514 flight hours were flown during the DT&E phase during which 12 JDAMs were released. Combined DT&E/OT&E flight-testing was conducted from June-July 1998. During combined DT&E/OT&E, 20 sorties and 146 flight hours were flown and 11 JDAMs were delivered.

A dedicated IOT&E phase for the Block D upgrade, conducted from August 24-September 30, 1998, employed two flight test aircraft and a production-representative "kitproof" aircraft. Flight-testing included nine sorties, 54 flight hours, and the delivery of 17 JDAMs against 13 realistic target types.

Combined DT&E/OT&E for Blocks E and F is scheduled to begin in FY00. B-LRIP reports will be prepared at the time of production decisions for these upgrades.

All LFT&E testing has been completed. The testing focused on the potential for fire and/or explosions within and around fuel tanks, and on the potential for fuel tank rupture and structural failures due to hydrodynamic ram effects of ballistic impacts on the fuel tanks. The Air Force has completed the consolidated report on B-1B vulnerability, which includes results of live fire testing. A DOT&E independent evaluation is in progress.

Dedicated IOT&E assessed the effectiveness and suitability of the new communications, navigation, and conventional munitions weapons system. Key performance parameters included the: (1) ability to carry, bit check, deliver and jettison up to eight JDAMs per launcher; (2) accuracy of data transferred to the JDAM weapon; and (3) Mission Capable Rate for upgraded aircraft.