B-52 SQUADRONS
Abstract
B-52 SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS (BPAC 675039) Project 675039 System Improvements, changed from B-52 Modernization. B-52 System Improvements is a comprehensive project to ensure B-52 viability to perform current and future wartime missions to include datalinks, navigation, sensors, weapons, electronic warfare (EW), and training capabilities. B-52 System Improvements integrates and adds both tactical and global datalink communications for real time command and control, targeting, and intelligence. It upgrades antiquated Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems with those supported by three key functions using satellite technology: Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS). B-52 System Improvements upgrades training devices to support aircrew and maintenance training with the latest B-52 capability. In addition, it improves conventional warfare capability with additional MIL-STD-1760 smart weapons and improved weapons carriage and fully integrates advanced targeting pods with the offensive avionics system. It studies, analyzes, and tests aircraft systems' hardness to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) weapons effects, such as Low Level Continuous Wave (LLCW) and High altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) Survivability tests. It upgrades mission critical systems to survive in CBRN environments. B-52 System Improvements upgrades or replaces legacy defensive EW systems to include the radar warning receiver, jammers, chaff and flare dispensers and situational awareness displays as well as integration of offensive EW such as the Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD) and MALD-Jammer (MALD-J). Engineering Studies & Analysis and Test & Evaluation B-52 system improvements funds test activities at the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), engineering and planning studies for potential future weapon system enhancements (weapons, sensors, avionics, and EW) and emerging requirement on current projects, upgrades to the B-52 Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL), Avionics Integration Support Facility (AISF), and Weapon System Trainers (WSTs), and weapon system operational/safety, supportability, reliability, and Total Ownership Cost (TOC) improvements. Additional Efforts B-52 system improvements funds additional efforts that stem from the operation and maintenance of a 50-plus-year-old aircraft, such as parts obsolescence, Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS), and emerging requirements to add to or maintain the existing capabilities. Examples include, but are not limited to upgrades to outdated avionics computers, mission planning interfaces to Joint Mission Planning Software (JMPS), Air Force Mission Support System (AFMSS), upgrades to the EW suite, and studies and analysis. All B-52 development projects support planned requirements for unique identification in their production phases. B-52 COMBAT NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (CONECT) (BPAC 675050) The B-52 CONECT acquisition project supports nuclear and conventional operations by upgrading the B-52 fleet with tactical datalink and voice communications capabilities along with improved threat and situational awareness to support participation in network centric operations. The CONECT upgrade includes new Multi-Functional Color Displays (MFCDs) and a digital interphone system, which will survive and function through the nuclear environment to enhance crew interaction and situational awareness. To enable net centric operations, the CONECT upgrade integrates: on-board client/server architecture supporting distributed processing with independent control functions; UHF Beyond Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) Joint Range Extension (JRE) capability via ARC-210 Warrior radio to exchange J-Series messaging within theater; Intelligence Broadcast Receiver (IBR); limited Internet Protocol (IP) based UHF BLOS link supporting voice, e-mail and file transfers; and Improved Data Modem (IDM)-based digital Variable Message Format (VMF) datalink to significantly enhance close air support (CAS) missions. This integrated suite will provide the B-52 fleet with a machine-to-machine data transfer capability supporting aircraft re-tasking and retargeting of Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile (CALCM) and J-series weapons across the range of B-52 military operations and missions. This requirement's Capability Development Document (CDD) was validated by the Air Force Requirement's Oversight Capability Council (AFROCC) on 18 March 2004. Trainers and Upgrades for CONECT In order to maintain currency with the latest aircraft configuration, the CONECT project will update existing trainers or use computer-based training to add CONECT functionality to meet user-training requirements, and update/maintain the SIL for the WSTs. B-52 1760 INTERNAL WEAPONS BAY UPGRADE (IWBU) (BPAC 675048) The 1760 IWBU requires the integration of the 1760 weapons capability into the bomb bay on 78 B-52H aircraft, which includes two Ground Instructional Training Aircraft (GITA), utilizing 44 Common Strategic Rotary Launcher (CSRLs) converted into Conventional Rotary Launchers (CRLs), where three of the CRLs will be modified under Engineering Manufacturing and Development (EMD) for test purposes. This requirement's Capability Development Document (CDD) was validated by the AFROCC in April 2013. The 1760 IWBU project provides internal and external carriage for eight weapons and consists of two sub increments: 1.1 and 1.2. Increment 1.1 consists of internal carriage of eight Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) and variants, to include Laser JDAM (LJDAM), on a rotary launcher. Additionally, this increment develops the capability for external carriage for 16 LJDAM. Increment 1.2 develops the capability for internal carriage of eight Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM) and its variants, to include JASSM-Extended Range (JASSM-ER), and eight Miniature Air Launched Decoys (MALD) and its variants, to include MALD Jammer (MALD-J). This increment also develops the capability for external carriage for 12 JASSM-ER. B-52 MODE S/5 IFF (BPAC 675049) Mode S/5 Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) is part of the Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) effort and will develop and integrate modern IFF technology into the B-52 to enable it to operate in the evolving air traffic environment. This effort is driven by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates to comply with performance standards to allow the B-52 to operate safely in controlled airspaces. Aircraft not equipped with appropriate capabilities will not be able to operate in airspace where new separation standards and air traffic management procedures are implemented. An additional benefit is the significant fuel savings that will result in being able to fly at optimum and more efficient routes and altitudes. DoD mandates Joint Requirements Oversight Council Memorandum (JROCM) 047-07 (signed March 2007) and JROCM 122-08 (signed June 2008) dictate replacement of the B-52's APX-64 IFF (Identification, Friend or Foe) Transponder with a modern Mode S/5 transponder. This requirement was validated by Air Force Form 1067, signed in November 2011. B-52 ANTI-SKID REPLACEMENT (BPAC 675051) The B-52 Anti-skid system is used to maintain control of aircraft during landings and taxi operations. The B-52 Anti-skid system prevents aircraft skidding by sensing the exact amount of brake pressure needed for safe braking under all runway conditions without tire damage. Previous B-52 Anti-skid supportability analysis, completed in 2006 by General Atomics indicated a supportability end date of 2011, based on parts obsolescence, a lack of test equipment, and a lack of repair personnel. Parts obsolescence continues to be a major supportability factor. However, since the previous analysis, test equipment and new depot maintenance procedures to refurbish previously failed Anti-skid detectors have been put in place in order to provide spares through 2015 when the replacement will be available. The Anti-skid Replacement project develops and installs a new system. This effort includes an upgrade of the maintenance trainers. This requirement was validated by Air Force Form 1067, signed in July 2009. ARMS CONTROL ACTIVITIES (Funding is in the ARMS Control PE, 0305145F) Arms Control Activities under the New START Treaty drives the need to modify a number of B-52s to a conventional only role by removing the Code Enable Switch and associated equipment. This effort requires a complete design to remove the equipment from the aircraft and install metal plates prohibiting reinstallation of removed equipment to comply with treaty protocols. These projects are in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 0101113F_7_3600_PB_2015
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY13 adjustments: -$34.7M Congressional Mark for CONECT Restructure, -$.532 for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), and -$.025M in Congressional General Reductions. FY14 adjustments: -$3.0M Congressional Mark 1760 Internal Weapons Bay Upgrade Flight Test Delay, and -$4.0M Program decrease. FY15 adjustments: +$2.40M for fully funded CONECT (76 acft), and +$32.87M for fully funded 1760 IWBU Inc 1.1 and Inc 1.2
- Service Agency Name
- Air Force
Entities
Organizations
- United States Air Force
Related Documents
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- Child Accomplishment: B-52 Radar Modernization Program Initiative (RMP)
- Child Project: 1760 INTERNAL WEAPONS BAY UPGRADE (IWBU)
- Child Accomplishment: 1760 IWBU Inc 1.1
- Child Accomplishment: 1760 IWBU Inc 1.2
- Child Project: MODE S/5 IFF
- Child Accomplishment: Mode S/5 IFF
- Child Project: CONECT
- Child Accomplishment: CONECT
- Child Project: ANTI-SKID
- Child Accomplishment: Anti-skid