Air Force and Navy Plans to Acquire Trainer Aircraft

摘要

The Air Force and Navy plan to acquire four different aircraft for training missions. Total costs are expected to be several billion dollars. With one exception, the Air Force Next Generation Trainer and the Navy Undergraduate Jet Flight Training System acquisition programs are generally being conducted in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A-109. The exception was that the requests for proposals/quotations for each program were too restrictive and precluded consideration of potential alternative solutions. Congressional interest and direction have been toward common aircraft for both the primary and advanced phases of the Navy and Air Force undergraduate pilot training programs. However, Air Force officials now believe there is little likelihood that the Air Force will use the Navy's advanced trainer aircraft. The Navy's use of the Air Force's primary trainer is also uncertain. GAO believes the Congress should explore the matter further with Defense.