USAFA's Airmanship Next initiative directly aligns with AETC's efforts to "revolutionize Air Force pilot training" via its Pilot Training Next (PTN) organization; please see description of PTN in "Other facts supporting the justification:" below. PTN has committed to utilizing PREPAR3D as its core software for the next five years. To best introduce and prepare USAFA cadets for the transition to PTN's training program, USAFA and AETC leadership and subject matter experts recommend PREPAR3D also serve as the core software for Airmanship Next.

Additionally, PREPAR3D software provides added functionality not resident in other software programs. Specifically, PREPAR3D offers a "Sim Director" capability which allows for anyone to fuse graphics and voice with aircraft models and flight environments. The Sim Director capability will allow for the contracting of a variety of vendors to address courseware needs; this option is important should the contractor fail to meet performance expectations and need to be replaced.

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