(U) Talon OUTLOOK

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) Talon OUTLOOK is responsible for oversight of the AF TENCAP program.  The branch additionally serves as the staff function in support of the AF TENCAP Director (SWC/CV).

Description: (U)
(U)  The AF TENCAP program initiates an annual process each fiscal year.  The process begins with Phase I, in which the MAJCOMs assemble with AF laboratories and other government agencies to compare MAJCOM deficiencies and requirements with a possible space solution against technology developments and research thrusts.  The result of this first conference (POC #1) is the annual AF TENCAP Call for Concepts.  Issued to AF TENCAP contacts, including MAJCOMs, labs and contractors, the Call invites proposals for AF TENCAP funding.  The resulting proposals are screened for compliance with the Call, and the surviving proposals are briefed to the MAJCOM representatives at the next conference (POC #2).  At this conference, the MAJCOM representatives rate each proposal.  The final rankings are presented to the AF TENCAP O-6 Review Group for approval or modification.  The O-6 Review Group determines the AF TENCAP program for the following fiscal year. 

(U)   Proposals that receive approval for funding enter Phase II.  During this phase, the AF TENCAP project lead assembles an Integrated Product Team and prepares the Project Plan and spend plan.  Phase III, or project execution, usually begins with the start of the fiscal year.  The AF TENCAP program limits projects to an execution period of two years or less.

(U)  Shortly before the completion of Phase III, the AF TENCAP Director receives a Transition briefing from the project lead.  The purpose of this briefing is to determine if the project has met its goals, and is ready to be transitioned to a customer--either a MAJCOM user or SPO for larger scale acquisition or integration into other systems.  A key point of this transition briefing is whether or not the customer MAJCOM has inserted O&M funding into its POM.  If the MAJCOM has not moved to make the funding decisions, the project may be terminated.  If O&M funding is available (or in the POM two years or less into the future), the project may be entered into Phase IV.  This Transition phase provides a venue for AF TENCAP and the MAJCOM/SPO to work together to integrate the prototypes/production units into the operational force.  AF TENCAP can provide up to two years of O&M funding to allow the MAJCOM to get the O&M wedge into its outyear POM.

User Impact: (U)
(U) See Description.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) (** No IOC **).

(U) Organizations and Funding:
	(U) Air Force-Space Warfare Center: Funding Source.
		Talon OUTLOOK is funded through PE 27247F.  This branch provides coordination between the various AF TENCAP Talon organizations and the AFSPC and Air Staff Program Element Monitors.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Talon  VISION, Talon  WARRIOR, Talon COMMAND, Talon KNIGHT, Talon READY, Talon SHOOTER, Talon TRANSITION

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Air Force TENCAP

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) ISR.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
22 July 1998

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)