From: CMSgt Mike Bergman <bergman@afnews.pa.af.mil>
Subject: Air Combat Command News 10/01/92
Organization: Hq Air Force News Agency/SCC
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 16:36:55 GMT


From CMSgt Mike Bergman <bergman@afnews.pa.af.mil>



ACC 92-063  AFMC COMMANDER DISCUSSES FUTURE OF WEAPON SYSTEMS
ACC 92-064  AIR COMBAT COMMAND MEETS RUSSIAN AIR FORCE

AFMC COMMANDER DISCUSSES FUTURE OF WEAPON SYSTEMS
    LANGLEY AFB, Va. (ACCNS) -- Future development of Air Combat
Command weapon systems will depend on a number of factors,
according to the commander of Air Force Materiel Command.
    Gen. Ronald W. Yates said some of the major factors will be
ACC's needs, how well ACC and AFMC work together to fulfill the
requirements and funding from Congress.
    So far, the general is happy with the way ACC and AFMC are
pulling together in these areas.
    "Through a variety of process improvements we have made
concerning technology development or insertion, ACC is involved
every step of the way, telling us what they want from a
warfighting perspective and what they want 15 or 20 years from
now, which is really how long it takes to birth new technology,"
Yates said.
    "In the first place, we need to be working on what means the
most to the warfighting command.  You're telling us what to work
on and then as we develop that, you continue to grade our work.
When we get ready to do advanced technology transition
demonstrations, you rank order what we are going to do and those
things you put at the bottom of the list don't get funded.  Those
things at the top of the list we spend money on.
    "There's a two-edged sword here.  If we develop these new
technologies, you also need to budget for inserting it in your
weapon systems.  In other words, it doesn't do the nation any good
in terms of combat capability just to invent new technology.  We
have charge of bringing it to the table and you have charge of
funding it for the last leg of the race.  So we're working those
issues closer than we ever have before."
    Two of those issues being worked between the two commands
include a conversion-upgrade program for ACC's bomber fleet and
development of the F-22 fighter aircraft to eventually replace the
F-15 Eagle in the air superiority role.
    Specifically addressing the B-1B bomber, Yates said AFMC is
using Integrated Weapons System Management to focus on reliability
and maintainability and ensure the B-1B meets ACC's combat
requirements.  He said they'll take talent from the former Air
Force Systems Command and Air Force Logistics Command and combine
them with the latest technology to upgrade the countermeasures and
navigation suites, and to enhance the conventional stand-off
weapons that will see the bomber into the next decade.
    As far as the F-22, Yates said the Air Force is one year into
an eight year engineering and manufacturing development program.
He said the future of the development program depends on what
Congress agrees to fund.
    "We obviously hope they support the president's budget, which
is $2.2 billion.  If they don't there will be impacts to the
development program.  We've tried very hard to explain the impacts
if they don't support our request."
    Although he said some in Congress had proposed cutting $200
million from the program, Yates seemed confident that the funding
would be approved.  He seemed just as confident that ACC and AFMC
are on the right track as they take the Air Force into the next
century, providing combat capability for the nation.
			       -30-
ACC 92-064
AIR COMBAT COMMAND MEETS RUSSIAN AIR FORCE
By Capt. Mary Dillon
1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
    LANGLEY AFB, Va. (ACCNS) -- It was no ordinary intercept as
1st Fighter Wing F-15 Eagles met Russian Su-27 Flankers in the
skies over Russia.
    Rather than meeting for combat, they were rekindling
friendships they started in July when the Russians visited here.
    A week of frenetic activity began Sept. 14 as 30 members of
the 1st FW along with KC-10 crew members from the 4th Wing at
Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., landed at Lipetsk AB, Russia.  The
Flankers, comparable to the F-15, swirled and roared their aerial
greeting overhead.
    American and Russian flags fluttered over the base as the
Russian band struck up the U.S. national anthem, a song previously
unheard in the region.  The welcoming ceremony included crisp
marching units and singing children in vibrant Russian folk
costumes.
    The visit was part of a reciprocal exchange program begun by
the United States and Russia in March when the former Strategic
Air Command sent two B-52 bombers and one KC-10 to Russia.  The
visits are designed to further a positive relationship between the
two air forces and to influence positive democratic change.
    The week's activities were breakneck, including a visit to a
traditional Russian bath, a steel factory, aviation museums, an
airshow where the pride of the Russian fighter fleet was on
display, churches, and the highlight of the trip for many, Red
Square in Moscow.
    "It was amazing to see what they had," said TSgt. Nancy
Wilson, 94th Fighter Squadron electrical and environmental
technician, of the trip to Moscow.  The capital was in stark
contrast to the bleak Russian landscape seen at the air base
southeast of Moscow.
    "To be standing in Red Square, wearing a U.S. Air Force
uniform, ranks as one of the highlights of my career," said Capt.
Jeff Riddlebarger, 94th FS pilot.
    Another career highlight for the pilots was the opportunity to
fly the Su-27 Flanker and MiG-29, aircraft the Americans had spent
their careers learning to defeat in the air.
    "It was mind-boggling," said Capt. Rob Destasio, 94th FS pilot
of his Flanker ride.  He praised the Flanker's performance, and
all the pilots agreed positive things would come of the fighter
communities working together.  Many left Russia feeling a part of
history.
    "This trip set a precedent and I hope others will follow,"
said Capt. Barry Johnson, 94th FS pilot.  "When I saw the little
girls dancing and singing at our arrival," said Johnson, "I
realized we are all the same -- because our children are the
same."
			       -30-

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