The CLS contract will support the T-38C Flight Training System which provides student pilots with training in a high-altitude, supersonic jet aircraft as a transition from initial flight trainers to high performance United States Air Force (USAF) operational aircraft. Also supports Air Education & Training Command (AETC) T-38C aircraft for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT), Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT), Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF), Euro-NATO Joint Jet IFF (ENJJIFF), and Pilot Instructor Training (PIT) for the USAF and ENJJPT programs. Additionally, the United States Navy (USN) and the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) use the T-38C for flight test programs and test pilot training.
The Air Force employs a two-level maintenance concept for T-38C Avionics System support and sustainment. The first level, flight line maintenance, which is the responsibility of the Government, includes identification and removal of faulty equipment, obtaining and installing serviceable equipment, and operational checkout. The second level, which is the responsibility of the Contractor, involves maintenance and repair of faulty equipment. Systems engineering and program management services involve recording, monitoring, and analyzing equipment failures and providing recommendations to maintain or improve aircraft readiness levels. Additionally, a Block Upgrade process may be accomplished. The Block Upgrade process enables a system engineering approach to upgrade aircraft and Aircrew Training Device (ATD) avionics systems and associated courseware, and to keep them viable in a changing world.
The current DoD T-38C inventory consists of 442 aircraft (see Table 1-1). The current number and location of aircraft is subject to change. Technical performance requirements are documented in the Avionics Performance Specification (APS) and verified through a formal flight test program. Primary sustaining engineering is accomplished as Block Upgrades to the system software, firmware and hardware as needed.
T-38C Aircraft: The current DoD T-38C inventory consists of 442 aircraft (see Table 1-1). The current number and location of aircraft is subject to change. Technical performance requirements are documented in the Avionics Performance Specification (APS) and verified through a formal flight test program. Primary sustaining engineering is accomplished as Block Upgrades to the system software, firmware and hardware as needed.
T-38C Ground Based Training Systems: The ATD system consists of three types of training devices to support the full range of T-38C flying training requirements: 14 Unit Training Devices (UTD), 11 Operational Flight Trainers (OFT), and 12 Weapon System Trainers (WST), for a total of 37 devices (see Table 1-2). The current number and locations of training devices is subject to change. Technical performance parameters are documented in the Performance Specification for T-38C ATDs and verified through a formal simulator test program. Avionics system sustainment for ATDs is accomplished in concert with engineering design changes affecting the aircraft avionics design, to ensure configuration commonality. Maintenance and support for the ATDs (excluding OFT 1 and the Mini UTD at the AvCI Contractor’s facility) is provided through a separate CLS contract managed by AFLCMC/WNS at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (AFB). There are various Avionic components/LRUs in the ATDs that match the aircraft and are included in Appendix B of this PWS. In addition, AETC will divest the T-38C ATDs potentially starting as early as 2031 and finishing in 2036, susceptible to the same, potential two-year delay.
Training Courseware: Training courseware is revised and updated to support AETC T-38C training programs. Courseware currency is maintained in concert with aircraft engineering changes, design changes, and AETC syllabus training requirements. The contractor shall be responsible for maintenance, sustainment and upgrading the Training courseware for the period of performance of this contract.
Ground Support Systems: Ground Support Systems include the Mission Planning Station and the Maintenance Data Analysis Equipment. The Government owns the equipment. The contractor shall be responsible for maintenance, sustainment and upgrading the Joint Mission Planning, Data Analysis and pilot desktop training aid software for the period of performance of this contract.
