STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE B–2 AIRCRAFT FORCE STRUCTURES

SEC. 118. STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE B–2 AIRCRAFT FORCE STRUCTURES (a) Requirement for Study.—The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a comprehensive study of the force structure for the B–2 aircraft. Under the study, the Secretary shall compare— (1) the current plan of the Department of Defense to produce 132 B–2 aircraft, with (2) two alternative plans for production of B–2 aircraft, one of which would provide for procurement of three wings of B–2 aircraft with a total of 90 to 100 aircraft and the second of which would provide for procurement of two wings of B–2 aircraft with a total of 60 to 70 aircraft. (b) Matters To Be Considered.—In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall determine the implications of adopting the alternative plans described in subsection (a)(2) with respect to each of the following: (1) The cost of the B–2 aircraft program, including— (A) annual program costs, (B) total program costs, (C) 20-year life cycle costs, and (D) unit and flyaway costs. (2) The effect on the military and arms control posture of the United States, including— (A) strategic nuclear deterrent capabilities, (B) long-range conventional strike capabilities, and (C) on-going arms control negotiations and post-treaty force structures. (c) Report.— The Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report in both classified and unclassified form containing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a). The report shall include such comments and recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate and shall be submitted not later than March 31, 1990.