ARNG 1 D9 Add FL

Army National Guard (ARNG) facilities and units require fielding of cost-effective, accredited flight simulation devices to meet training requirements and prepare aircrews for both homeland and combat operations. ARNG Flying Hour Program purchasing power for actual flight continues to decrease through fuel and maintenance costs, and existing simulators like the UH-60L/M Blackhawk Aircrew Trainer (BAT) and CH-47F Transportable Flight Proficiency Simulator (TFPS) used by ARNG crews are being divested and rebalanced across dispersed Active-Duty locations. The ARNG needs cost-effective and accredited simulation device to address the need for flight proficiency and safety in this environment. ARNG facility/unit stationed devices that are accredited to log flight time in the Centralized Aviation Flight Records System (CAFRS) generate readiness at a fraction of the cost of a BAT or TFPS. Use of such a simulator would enable ARNG aviators to build proficiency within existing resources, including the use of Additional Flight Training Periods (AFTPs) at home station; no travel or additional personnel costs incurred. The simulation system should be government-owned and government-operated to avoid the contracting cost associated with BAT/TFPS, and able to be maintained by users inside existing facilities without requiring additional electrical/hardware infrastructure cost. Any simulator should provide for the ability to integrate with Army/ARNG mission and threat planning systems to allow aircrews to conduct realistic training replicating aircraft survivability equipment and maneuvers to defeat threats on the battlefield. ARNG simulators must embrace a modular open systems approach (MOSA) to ensure they remain cost-effective during updates over the life of the system.