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The Importance of Training Requirements for F-35A Basing Decisions

• Researchers developed a modeling framework to identify a basing strategy that minimizes enterprisewide flying costs associated with participation in required CFT events for all F-35A combat mission–ready pilots.

Modeling Framework Overview

• The modeling framework accepts inputs in candidate F-35A basing locations; F-35A attributes (e.g., fuel consumption characteristics and cost per flying hour); pilot continuation training requirements (specifically Ready Aircrew Program requirements for CFTs); attributes of training exercises (e.g., what portion of CFTs must take place at advanced ranges and how many aircraft can participate in such exercises); candidate CFT locations; and locations of supporting mission design series aircraft wings and other attributes.
• The outputs of the model include base assignments of the wings, the location of each training event, the number of aircraft each wing sends to each training event from its assigned base, and the total flying hour costs associated with travel to training events. Only the costs associated with participating in regional training exercises were included in this assessment. Other costs, such as flying at local primary training ranges, and other constraints, such as airspace restrictions, would also be important considerations in future basing decisions.