The U.S. Air Force's 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Hill AF Base has bought a simulation machine designed to help military and civilian airmen practice operating multiple vehicles.

USAF said Monday the $140K simulator features three 55-inch screens and over 150 driving scenarios for nearly 30 vehicles that include police cars and military carriers.

The training system is designed to also simulate parameters such as road and weather conditions.

Master Sgt. Stephen Baskiewicz, chief of ground transportation section at Hill AFB, said he estimates the  platform will save the base as much as $100K in preventive maintenance, accident repair and fuel expenses each year.

“It provides the most realistic experience I’ve seen in helping drivers learn how to operate specialized vehicles before operating the real deal,” Baskiewicz added.

The Office of Management and Budget has released draft guidance for federal agencies as they develop regulations and policies related to artificial intelligence-based technologies.

A White House document says the draft OMB memo seeks to comply with an executive order on AI signed in February 2019.

The draft guidance sets 10 principles agencies should consider as they draft regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to the development and deployment of AI applications.

The principles are public trust in AI; public participation; scientific integrity and information quality; risk assessment and management; benefits and costs; flexibility; fairness and non-discrimination; disclosure and transparency; safety and security; and interagency coordination.

Michael Kratsios, U.S. chief technology officer and a 2019 Wash100 award winner, said agencies must show that they have satisfied the principles when proposing policies with regard to the private sector’s AI tech deployment, Federal News Network reported.

“The U.S. AI regulatory principles provide official guidance and reduce uncertainty for innovators about how the federal government is approaching the regulation of artificial intelligence technologies,” Kratsios said. “By providing this regulatory clarity, our intent is to remove impediments to private-sector AI innovation and growth. Removing obstacles to the development of AI means delivering the promise of this technology for all Americans, from advancements in health care, transportation, communication — innovations we haven’t even thought of yet.”

Stakeholders will have 60 days to submit public comments on the draft guidance.

The Department of Transportation seeks feedback on its planned search for technologies that would help disabled citizens access traditional and automated vehicles, Nextgov reported Monday.

The Inclusive Design Challenge would aim to foster vehicle designs that allow persons with disabilities to better access transportation.

DOT will consider the presented technologies' benefits to people who are physically, mentally and sensorily disabled.

The department will award $100K each to a maximum of 15 selected entries under the competition's semi-finals. Winning designers will use these funds to develop prototypes and only up to four will go on to compete for a $2M grand prize as finalists.

Interested parties may submit feedback on the planned contest through Jan. 31.

The Congressional Budget Office predicts that the Department of the Navy would spend around $380 billion for new aircraft over the next 30 years. CBO said in its report published Monday that the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps may incur $7 billion to $17 billion in annual costs to maintain the composition and size of the naval aviation fleet.

The report also states that the replacement of attack and fighter aircraft would account for $190 billion of procurement costs within the 2020 to 2050 period. CBO predicts that costs would temporarily decease after 2030 when major programs such as the MV-22 tiltrotor aircraft ends, and rebound in the mid-2030’s when the new cycle of aircraft replacement begins.

According to CBO, the Navy and Marine Corps may opt to procure less expensive aircraft or put off replacement plans for F/A-18E/F fighter jets and MV-22B tiltrotors in the future.

DON currently has a fleet of around 4,000 aircraft, including fixed-wing, tiltrotor, training, cargo, utility and surveillance aircraft.