B-52 Mission Employment Trainer
Abstract
The B-52 Mission Employment Trainer (MET) program is for the development of the B-52 Family of Systems (FoS) Trainers. The FoS Trainers includes, but is not limited to, new training devices and Systems Integration Labs (SIL) that will augment and eventually replace the existing B-52 legacy training systems and SIL that are antiquated, not concurrent with the B-52 aircraft, and cost-prohibitive for modernization or sustainment. The current B-52 trainers do not completely satisfy the training tasks specified in various course syllabi. In conjunction with the AFGSC A3/6 signed Future Training Concept, this new FoS approach will train Air Force personnel utilizing low, medium, and high-fidelity training devices. These training devices will leverage a common software architecture, include modularity and open mission systems, be rapidly reprogrammable and network capable, enable accelerated future upgrades, and support affordable sustainment. This FoS concept fulfills the future training needs of the formal training unit (FTU), combat units, and weapons school students spanning the continuum of learning. These new devices/trainers are of paramount importance because of their critical role to future B-52 combat capabilities that must advance through 2050. Initial funds will be used to develop a B-52 medium fidelity training device that will provide an interactive and immersive environment to provide proficiency-based training for full-crew mission training and coordination, and related programmatic support. The current direction with the medium fidelity device will reuse a virtualized version of the aircraft's Operational Flight Programs (OFP) and will execute on commercial-grade, off-the-shelf computational hardware to offer a standalone, integrated, and appropriate simulated training environment. The virtualized OFP software will be developed to run on multiple training devices of varying physical fidelity. The medium fidelity device, and subsequent higher fidelity devices, will be rapidly reconfigurable to different aircraft configurations, be mobile, and capable of worldwide deployment. It lays the groundwork for an open system architecture that allows a continual roadmap to aircraft concurrency, upgradability, and feature sets that can be added in a cost-effective manner, keeping pace with the speed of technology and future B-52 aircraft upgrades. Funds may be used to address requirements including, but not limited to, emerging and short-notice Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) for training systems, Development Testing (DT)/ Operational Testing (OT), and safety of flight issues. Additionally, funds may accommodate Program Management Administration (PMA) and support, civilian pay expenses, rapid technology insertion, and fulfill Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) or other mandates necessary to ensure continued aircrew safety and mission effectiveness. Funds may be used to purchase long-lead parts following completion of Preliminary Design Review (PDR). As MET Integration provides future communication growth to the B-52, emerging security/certification requirements (nuclear certification, cyber security, program protection, crypto modernization, etc.) as well as other aircraft upgrades may require studies and/or support for potential impact to MET. Funds may be used to conduct development and test activities. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY22 0M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY23 0M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 670132_0101113F_7_3600_PB_2025
Related Documents
- Root: B-52 Squadrons
- Child Accomplishment: Mission Employment Trainer
- Child Cost Item: acc1f1badb8f102e3341b534b7ef1052