Rockwell Collins was selected by the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command to perform the B-1, B-52 CAT/CWD. The program requires training of all B-1 and B-52 aircrew undergoing training at the formal training units (FTUs) in the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas and the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. There are 21 Rockwell Collins instructors and courseware developers on each of the teams at each base, for a total of 42 personnel on the program.

Rockwell Collins instructors provide academic classroom instruction and simulator training for all B-1 and B-52 pilots, navigators, electronic warfare officers and weapon system officers assigned to classes in the FTUs at each base. There are a variety of training courses, with each course designed to train a specific group of students based on their previous training, experience and qualifications. The initial qualification course is for those aircrew who have never flown a bomber aircraft. The B-1 transition course is for aircrew who have been previously qualified in another bomber aircraft, such as the B-52. The requalification courses are for aircrew who have been qualified in the B-1 or B-52 but have not flown it for a period of time. The B-52 syllabus also contains an aircraft commander and radar navigator upgrade class.

The content of the academic training courses begins with aircraft general knowledge and covers all the specific aircraft systems. Rockwell Collins instructors are subject matter experts (SMEs) on engine, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, avionics, communication/navigation, fuel, oil, radar, egress, weapons delivery and electronic countermeasure systems on each aircraft.

Training in the simulator and other training devices covers requirements ranging from basic switchology and emergency procedures to instrument procedures and full profile operational missions to include air refueling, navigation and weapons delivery.

Rockwell Collins instructors also teach the Annual Instrument Refresher Training Course to all student aircrews assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base and Dyess Air Force Base.

To support the aircrew training effort, Rockwell Collins has a professional staff of personnel at each base that are trained and educated in Instructional System Development (ISD) and/or education technology. Their responsibility is to create the courseware that is used by the students and instructors in the conduct of training. The courseware consists of a wide variety of firmware and software. Paper copies of lesson study guides, lesson plans and various student handouts are used. Most classes are supported by computer based instruction (CBI) or computer based training (CBT). All of this courseware is reviewed and revised on a prescribed schedule.

Rockwell Collins instructors and CWD personnel also support the Briefing Room Interactive (BRI) programs at Dyess and Barksdale. The scripts and storyboards for each mission briefing are provided to Rockwell Collins by U.S. Air Force instructors. The Rockwell Collins personnel then develop and incorporate the graphics, illustrations, animations, photos, and videos and create links to files and libraries that the aircrew may need to use for reference during the briefing. For example, links can be provided to weather, maps, range photos, training manuals and technical documents. On the B-1 program, Rockwell Collins inherited fairly mature CBT/CBI and BRI programs. Our primary job there is to maintain, review and revise the material in those programs. On the B-52 program, no CBT/CBI or BRI existed prior to Rockwell Collins taking over the contract.