[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 104 (Tuesday, August 2, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           THE F-22 TEST PLAN

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, Senators DeConcini, Mack, and I 
recently wrote Air Force Secretary Widnall raising serious questions 
over the fact that the F-22 test and evaluation master plan [TEMP] by-
passes the real-time electromagnetic digitally controlled analyzer and 
processor [REDCAP] and Air Force electronic warfare evaluation 
simulator [AFEWES] facilities. As a result, no electronic combat [EC] 
effectiveness testing confirming whether the F-22's combination of 
stealth, speed, and integrated avionics actually exploit and degrade 
air defenses, improve mission effectiveness, and increase survivability 
will be conducted prior to production. And, as recent events have 
shown, it is extremely difficult to kill a system, no matter how deeply 
flawed, once it is in production.
  The response by the Air Force, while swift, was very disappointing.
  AFEWES, according to the Air Force, will be included in the F-22 test 
plan ``contingent on completion and validation of planned upgrades to 
existing capabilities.'' In fact, the Air Force has taken steps to 
cripple modernization at AFEWES. It has not escaped our notice that 
fiscal year 1994 AFEWES funds are being reprogrammed, that the facility 
was nickel and dimed in the fiscal year 1995 request, and that no 
provision has been made to budget for a real-time data link or a phase 
control for the RF environment generator, upgrades that are vital if 
proper testing of the F-22 is contemplated.
  As for REDCAP, it will be used in ``validating [radar cross section] 
RCS modeling and simulation of the F-22 enemy integrated Air Defense 
System [IADS] penetration capabilities.'' There is no doubt that this 
test should be done, and that it can be done at REDCAP. But RCS work is 
a sop. Our concern focused on the lack of appropriate testing to 
confirm that the F-22's combination of stealth, speed, and 
sophisticated electronics will allow it to maintain the superior 
situational awareness against enemy IADS necessary to achieve the 
first-look, first-shot, first-kill capability for which we are paying 
such an enormous cost. The RCS testing proposed by the Air Force will 
only address a single aspect of F-22 effectiveness.
  The bottom line is that the Air Force has no intention of seriously 
testing prior to production a pioneering fourth generation stealth 
aircraft with supercruise capability and an integrated avionics package 
driven by 1.4 million lines of software code. We have been down this 
road before with the Air Force, and we will not be fooled again.
  I ask that the letter from Robert Stuart, Air Force Deputy for 
Budget, be printed in the Record.
  The letter follows:

                                  Department of the Air Force,

                                    Washington, DC, July 27, 1994.
     Hon. Al D'Amato,
     Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator D'Amato: In response to your July 13, 1994 
     letter, the Air Force has reviewed the electronic warfare 
     test concepts planned for the F-22 program. We have taken 
     this action to eliminate any perception the Air Force is 
     intentionally bypassing test facilities with the ability to 
     accurately assess the F-22's inherent capabilities to exploit 
     or degrade enemy air defenses. We are committed to full 
     testing of F-22 electronic warfare effectiveness.
       The Air Force has planned an extensive, robust F-22 test 
     program and continuously reviews test facility capabilities. 
     In fact, one of the greatest F-22 test planning challenges is 
     identifying facilities capable of fully testing the aircraft. 
     We recognize the importance of Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) 
     facilities for electronic warfare testing. In fact, the 
     current test program includes HITL testing at four DoD 
     facilities that meet particular F-22 test requirements. 
     Additionally, the Air Force is planning to use the Air Force 
     Electronic Warfare Evaluation Simulator (AFEWES) facility 
     contingent on completion and validation of planned upgrades 
     to existing capabilities. Development testing of F-22 
     integrated avionics is not limited to ground testing. A 
     Boeing 757 Flying Test Bed will conduct development flight 
     testing on the integrated avionics.
       While the Real-time Electromagnetic Digitally Controlled 
     Analyzer & Processor (REDCAP) is not presently capable of 
     fully testing the F-22's systems, the Air Force has 
     determined that it will provide an early, incremental benefit 
     by validating RCS modeling and simulation of the F-22 enemy 
     Integrated Air Defense Systems penetration capabilities. This 
     test will be incorporated in the F-22 program.
       The F-22 test program, as documented in the Test Evaluation 
     Master Plan (TEMP), continues to evolve as test requirements 
     and facility changes occur over the course of the program. 
     The next revision of the TEMP is scheduled for the Spring of 
     1995.
       I trust this letter has resolved your concerns regarding 
     the F-22 test program. We will continue to review DoD test 
     facility capabilities and adjust the F-22 test effort to 
     ensure cost effective, robust RCS and system effectiveness 
     testing.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Robert D. Stuart,
     Deputy for Budget.

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