1 Unspecified development and procurement continues beyond last FY period indicated.

ATTACK SUBMARINE FORCES

Some Soviet attack submarines have only torpedoes for offensive weapons while others also have cruise missiles. The U.S.S.R. submarine force of about 250 attack submarines is the largest in the world; over one-half of the fleet is diesel-powered. Current U.S.S.R. development efforts for attack submarines focus on the Charlie-, Victor-, and Alfa-class nuclear-powered ships. The Foxtrot and Tango are the most significant conventional-powered submarines. Cruise missile submarines include the Echo-, Charlie-, Papa-, and Juliett-class ships. Charlie has capability for submerged launch of SS-N-7 cruise missiles. New ASW missiles, the SS-N-15 and SSNX-16 are thought to be capable of launch from a variety of the new Soviet attack submarines.

The U.S. attack submarine force will consist of a mixed force of nuclear- and conventional-powered submarines with major emphasis

on the nuclear-powered ships. The SSN-688 (currently in development) with superior quietness and improved sonar capability is intended to be the basic U.S. attack submarine. A submerged launched variant of the HARPOON and the sea-launched cruise missiles (SLCMs) will provide cruise missile capabilities for the submarine force. The MK-48 torpedo will also be utilized on attack submarine platforms. The major items in the budget for attack submarines are:

Table 14.-U.S. ATTACK SUBMARINES

[Costs in millions of dollars]

U.S.S.R. tactical aircraft fighter capability revolves around (a) the new generation MIG-21 Fishbed series, which doubles the weapons limit of previous versions and also extends its combat radius, (b) SU17/Fitter C, with greater engine thrust and advanced avionics, (c) SU-19/Fencer-A, with a variety of guided and unguided air-to-ground missiles (AGMs), (d) MIG-23/Flogger, with increased performance package and armament over Fishbed, and (e) MIG-25/Foxbat B, with significant enhancements in altitude and speed. Primary U.S.S. R. aviation ordnance in future years will consist of the APEX, APHID, Kerry, and Kelt missiles. Estimated capabilities of these systems range from use against low-flying targets, use in short-range air superiority roles, and anti-radiation missile variants.

Significant power has been added to the U.S. tactical air forces by recent additions of the A-10, F-14, and F-15 aircraft. The F-16 and F-18 air combat fighters, when they become operational in the late 1970 and early 1980 timeframe, will further enhance U.S. air capability. Although quantities of U.S. tactical aircraft have diminished, the highlow mix of the new force is intended to bring sophisticated high performance to the force while maintaining force levels. This mix (F-14 and F-15 with F-16 and F-18) has the dual objective of air-to-air combat and air-to-ground combat capabilities.

Augmenting the newer aircraft are the older F-4, F-111, A-7, A-4M, and AV-8A, a vertical/short take-off land aircraft (V/STOL). The AV-8A will be phased out of the inventory by the new V/STOL, AV-8B). The F-111 will also be modernizing a portion of its fleet to an EF-111A configuration for electronic countermeasure jamming purposes. The A-6E will continue as an all-weather attack aircraft. The E-3A airborne warning and control system (AWACS) will pro-vide all-altitude surveillance and command and control capability.

It is scheduled to become operational in CY 1976. The A-10, armed with Maverick missiles and laser-guided weapons, is being produced as a specialized close-air support aircraft. The Sparrow, Sidewinder, Shrike, Condor, Phoenix, and Harm (in development) missiles will provide a sizeable air-to-air-missile (AAM) and air-to-surface missile (ASM) capability for tactical air purposes.

There are many U.S. tactical air programs with significant acquisition costs proposed in the FY 1977 budget. Major items are:

AIR FORCE TACTICAL AIR

The Air Force intends to initiate a buy of F-16 aircraft with a planned inventory of 650. Four NATO nations have signed a memorandum of understanding to eventually purchase 306 F-16s with options to buy 348. A total of 108 F-15s (planned inventory 729) are in the budget; 100 A-10s (planned inventory 700-plus); and 6 E-3A AWACS (planned inventory 31). Major proposed FY 1977 funding includes:

Table 15.-U.S. AIR FORCE TACTICAL AIR PROGRAMS
[Costs in millions of dollars]

The Navy budget proposes developmental effort on the F-18 to serve as a lower cost complement to the F-14 and replace the F-4/A-7 aircraft. Anticipated inventory objective is 800 aircraft. There is

also continued procurement of an additional 36 F-14s to the current inventory of 267 aircraft (planned inventory objective 391). Major budget proposals are:

Table 16.-U.S. NAVY TACTICAL AIRCRAFT

[Costs in millions of dollars]

1 Includes current modifications of A-6 to A-6E configuration.

2 Does not include potential costs beyond FY 1981.

3 Quantities undetermined.

Major proposed FY 1977 development and procurement efforts for both Navy and Air Force tactical air missiles are:

U.S. airlift/sealift forces provide capability to move forces rapidly to overseas theaters, meet commitments, and maneuver material in CONUS and overseas. The forces are separated into strategic and tactical airlift forces. Current strategic airlift capabilities revolve around the C-5A and C-141 military airlift fleets, which would be augmented by Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) aircraft under mobilization conditions. DoD plans to rebuild the C-5A wings, stretch the C-141, and modify a portion of the CRAF to increase its military cargo capacity. Tactical airlift capabilities revolve around the CH-53, US-3A carrier on-board delivery aircraft, CH-47 modification program, and the new development of the advanced medium STOL transport (AMST). Major items in the budget for airlift/sealift forces are: