[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 32, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 32CFR73.4]

[Page 371-372]
 
                       TITLE 32--NATIONAL DEFENSE
 
              CHAPTER I--OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
 
PART 73--TRAINING SIMULATORS AND DEVICES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 73.4  Policy.

    (a) General. (1) It is DoD policy to optimize the operational 
readiness of the total forces by effecting the development and 
acquisition of training devices, in accordance with DoD Directive 
5000.1. The requirement for development and acquisition of training 
devices shall be based on a Military Service's training requirements 
analysis process. The analysis shall define the training need, determine 
whether existing training devices shall satisfy the training 
requirement, and evaluate the benefits and tradeoffs of potential 
alternative training solutions. This process shall consider how 
recommended training devices shall function in the National Guard and 
Reserve environment and how they shall meet any unique National Guard 
and Reserve training needs.
    (2) All training devices supporting and unique to a major system 
acquisition should be documented and reviewed with the parent major 
system. Major system training devices shall be identified in the 
acquisition process in the Integrated Program Summary (IPS), in 
accordance with DoD Instruction 5000.2. Those training devices that are 
not included in a major system acquisition should be identified and 
justified in relation to a specific training program or course. The 
Military Services shall ensure that all development, procurement, 
operation, and support costs are programmed and funded.
    (3) These policies do not imply that a training system, simulator, 
or device must be procured from the prime contractor for the defense 
system being supported.
    (4) The acquisition of a training system that supports a new defense 
system or equipment shall be assigned the same priority as that of the 
parent system or equipment.
    (5) Those training devices dedicated to defense systems or equipment 
should be available in time for the fielding of the parent system.
    (6) These policies and the guidelines to implement them apply to 
acquisition funds from advanced development through procurement.
    (7) Joint-Services acquisition of common training devices should be 
fully considered in each Military Service's training analysis and 
planning.
    (b) Development planning guidelines. (1) Once a training device 
requirement has been established, the training device program must be 
described and documented in a Military Service's approved development 
plan (DP) or equivalent before development of the training device may 
proceed.
    (2) The DP, which documents the Military Service's training 
requirement, must integrate the proposed, specific training device 
hardware or software system being developed and acquired with the 
training system for which it is intended.
    (3) The DP shall address the following items as data become 
available:
    (i) Assessment of Training need and expected benefit from the 
training device(s).
    (ii) Description of the training device(s).
    (iii) Acquisition and modification schedule.
    (iv) Ability of the training devices to maintain or improve safety.
    (v) Course and training estimates including projected student flows 
and loads, requirements for instructors and other staff, location of 
training facilities, and other training requirements.
    (c) Acquisition guidelines. (1) Training device alternatives 
including, but not limited to, trainers, general versus specific 
devices, real equipment versus

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simulated equipment, and embedded training capability should be 
evaluated by the Military Service concerned. Where applicable, economic 
analyses of alternatives should be conducted in accordance with the 
methods and assumptions in DoD Instruction 7041.3. The evaluation of 
each alternative should consider as appropriate:
    (i) Life-cycle use versus costs.
    (ii) Trade-off with requirements for munitions, if applicable.
    (iii) Capability of the training device(s) to accommodate changes 
made to the parent defense systems based on data on minimum and maximum 
changes made over the life cycle of similar defense systems.
    (iv) Student load and curriculum changes or field application 
training changes anticipated during the life cycle.
    (2) When military specification equipment is not required to meet 
performance needs, commercial practices and equipment should be used to 
contain initial procurement and follow-on support costs. Commercially 
available training programs also deserve serious consideration.
    (3) Specifications should cover training functions, performance 
levels, and required proficiency.
    (d) Training effectiveness evaluation guidelines. Analysis of 
training capability and potential should focus on data based on actual 
experience.