And the reason we need that money to go for our bomber programs is evident on this slide. This shows the current age of our bomber force in years, and you can see that the B-52G's and the B52H's are out here in well over 20 years of age. As you well know, lots of them are older than the pilots that fly them.

If we also take a look at the total numbers of what we have, back in late 1960's period we were up well above 600 in our bomber force. Right now, we are down to the point where we are just over 300. So we have continually declined in our bomber force and the Soviets have had a somewhat gradual increase.

Senator GOLDWATER. General, I disagree with that figure. If you count the old I think it was the Bison that they were supposed to wash out when we washed out our 47's, they did not, and they are still flying them, I think they have as many aircraft in their concept of strategic air as we have.

Now they will not get over here and get back, all of them, but I have been hearing so long that we outnumber them in aircraft, but I honestly think they have as many or maybe a few more than we have.

General Russ. Yes, sir. You know as well as I that there has always been a controversy among the intelligence community on whether they would utilize one-way missions or missions that would recover, say, in Cuba or somewhere like that. I am just giving you what the accepted intelligence viewpoint is.

You and I know there are a lot of other airplanes over there that will get to the United States and drop bombs.

Senator GOLDWATER. When we held our first hearings on Grenada in the Intelligence Committee we accepted that airport as a refueling airport for the Soviets. I just wanted to make sure we understand each other.

General Russ. We do, sir.

Senator GOLDWATER. It will not have very much effect, because they are very, very old aircraft, but they are there.

General Russ. What we would like to do this morning is to discuss the top two elements of this triad, I should say in the bomber program. Of course, the advanced technology bomber and the ad

vanced cruise missile will be the subject of discussions at a later time.

I also have this morning a film clip that I would like to show a little later. I had the privilege of flying the B-1 and I have some film of that flight, and I think it would be useful to see and allow me to narrate it a little bit for you to show you what capability that airplane really has. I think that might be worthwhile for the committee.

What I would like to do now is turn it over to Bill Gorton and have him go through the individual programs, starting with the B1 and then we will show the film after that.

[The prepared statement of General Russ follows:]

PREPARED STATEMENT OF LT. GEN. ROBERT D. RUSS, DEPUTY CHIEF of Staff FOR RESEARCH, Development and ACQUISITION, U.S. AIR FORCE

STRATEGIC BOMBER PROGRAMS

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee: Good morning. It is my pleasure to be here today to report on the Air Force's B-1B acquisition program. We made significant progress in 1983 towards achieving the 1986 initial operational capability for the B-1B, a key tenet of the President's strategic modernization program. The airframe, engine, and avionics developments have proceeded very well, staying on or ahead of schedule. As for procurement, with the help of the Congress, the Air Force has made important strides towards being able to deliver a major new weapon system on schedule and on cost. Your approval of multiyear procurement for the B-1B now enables us to achieve the $20.5 billion program certified by President Reagan. We expect B-1B number one to roll out in September, over six months ahead of schedule, a notable accomplishment that reflects true Congressional, Air Force, and industry commitment to insuring this nation's defenses remain strong. In supporting the President's programs, Congress has directed that it be provided information with which to monitor the modernization and arms control efforts and to make informed decisions in the future. Attached is a summary of congressional reporting requirements and action taken to date to comply with those requirements.

REPORT OF COMPLIANCE WITH CONGRESSIONAL B-1B INFORMATION REQUESTS

Requirement (1)

Section 1240, FY 84 DOD Authorization Act, requires the Secretary of Defense to conduct a detailed financial analysis on the projected cost of procuring 100 B-1B bomber aircraft. On the basis of that analysis, he is to revise as necessary the total projected cost estimate certified by the President in January 1982. A written report of the analysis must be submitted to the Congress not more than 60 days after the enactment of the FY 1984 DOD Appropriations Act, but in no event later than January 1984. The Secretary is to include a new estimate of the projected total cost for the procurement of 100 B-1B aircraft. A copy of the report must be transmitted to the Comptroller General of the United States for his review.

Action (1)

At the direction of the Secretary of Defense, the Department of the Air Force conducted the detailed B-1B financial analysis during the Fall of 1983. After reviewing its findings, the Secretary submitted a written report to Congress on 31 January 1984 recertifying the B-1B program budget estimate of $20.5 billion (FY 1981 $). Ă copy of the report was sent to the Comptroller General.

Requirement (2)

The House Appropriations Committee Report (9 Jun 83), accompanying the FY 84 DOD Appropriations Bill requires the Air Force to submit a full B-1 basing plan. The plan must identify the location of all Air Force bases that are to receive B-1 beddowns, the military construction costs involved, and statistics justifying planned expenditures. Additional B-1 beddown construction beyond Dyess AFB, Texas will not be approved until the report is submitted (page 41).

Action (2)

The complete list of bases for the B-1B beddown was announced by the Air Force on 1 February 1984. An explanation of the total cost involved with each beddown base will be supplied to the House Appropriations Committee Military Construction Subcommittee.

Requirement (3)

The Senate Armed Services Committee Report (Report No. 98-174) accompanying the FY 1984 DOD Authorization Bill requests the Secretary of the Air Force to report back to the Committee prior to commiting funds for procurement of B-1B ALCM loaders. The committee seeks a full explanation of the rational behind a sole source acquisition of B-1 loaders derived from the B-52 ALCM loaders, with an assessment of the merits of that approach compared with the operational, maintenance, and cost factors which might attend a competitive design and procurement of these systems (page 96).

Action (3)

After reviewing its munitions loader acquisition program, the Air Force reported back to Congress that it intended to take two actions. It plans to adapt the loader currently in the inventory in order to meet the B-1B initial operational capability, and it will seek competitive designs for a simplified loader. Upon Congressional notification, the Air Force will release requests for proposal for alternative loader designs.

Requirement (4)

The Senate Approriations committee Report (Report No 98-292) accompanying the FY 84 DOD Appropriations Bill requires the Air Force to inform the Committee on the negotiation progress and results of multiyear contracts.

Action (4)

In a 30 December 1983 letter to the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management provided information on the planned schedule for receipt of updated proposals and completion of negotiations. Pertinent data on negotiated prices will be supplied as they become available.

Requirement (5)

The Appropriation Conference Committee Report (Report No. 98-567) requires the Secretary of the Air Force to submit multiyear proposals at the time of contract award reflecting the actual contract details.

Action (5)

After contract approval, but prior to actual distribution of the contract, the Secretary of the Air Force will submit a letter to Congress providing the information requested.

STATEMENT OF MAJ. GEN. WILLIAM A. GORTON, USAF, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND ACQUISITION General GORTON. It is a pleasure, Mr. Chairman, to have the opportunity to discuss the air-breathing element of the strategic triad.