B-2 SQUADRONS

Abstract

The B-2A Spirit is the world's most advanced long-range strike asset. The unique combination of range, precision, payload, and ability to operate in anti-access environments allow the B-2 to identify, locate, target, and destroy the highest value enemy targets. The B-2 can accomplish its mission regardless of location, return to base safely, and permit freedom of movement for follow-on forces, including other long range strike platforms. The array of planned RDT&E projects are necessary to both preserve this strategic advantage as well as increase the flexibility, lethality, and survivability of this national asset tasked across a broad spectrum, from tactical to national objectives. Avionics upgrades include, but are not limited to, Radar Modernization Program (RMP), Link-16 Center Instrument Display (CID)/In-Flight Replanner (IFR), Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Satellite Communication (SATCOM), Mode 5/S Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Adaptable Communications Suite (ACS), Extremely High Frequency (EHF) SATCOM and Computers, Defensive Management System (DMS), EMP Hardening Testing, and advanced, low detection data links upgrades. RMP changes the operating frequency of the radar to enable the B-2 to operate as the primary user worldwide in the future. Link-16 CID/IFR upgrade allows the B-2 access to theater tactical data links, improving on-board situational awareness while greatly enhancing the ability of the theater commanders to coordinate the B-2 with other assets. UHF SATCOM provides beyond line of sight secure communications to aircrews enabling verbal and data updates to missions. ACS provides UHF SATCOM data for beyond line of sight Link-16 situational awareness and airborne mission transfer. EHF SATCOM and Computers provides a secure, survivable communication and Net Ready infrastructure systems upgrade, preserving the critical ability to guarantee communication in a nuclear environment, as well as a basis for surveillance and reconnaissance. EHF SATCOM and Computers will provide a dramatic increase in the B-2 processing capability, paving the way for greater bandwidth and integration into the Global Information Grid (GIG), and Airborne Network Attack in an anti-access environment. Upgrades include extremely high frequency components and the computer infrastructure upgrades such as, but not limited to, flight management processors and onboard network components necessary to host new capability on the aircraft. Mode 5 provides enhanced combat identification of friend or foe functions for military Air Traffic Management; Mode S provides enhanced surveillance functions with commercial Air Traffic Management to allow operations in controlled air space. The DMS upgrade includes improvements and counters obsolescence of the defensive management processors and threat emitter system. The display processing improvement included in the DMS upgrade will be in harmony with the B-2 display architecture, which is common to all future upgrades requiring a cockpit display. Defensive Management System upgrades and improved displays are essential to ensuring platform survivability and reducing non-mission capable events. These system upgrades will transition from the current analog design to modern digital technology and provide necessary infrastructure which is prerequisite to enhanced threat location, identification, and warning capability for improved survivability, and enabling increased flexibility in strike, moving target kill, and non-traditional surveillance/reconnaissance (NTSR), positioning the B-2 for increased combat lethality, becoming the world's premier anti-access moving target kill platform. Electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) hardening requirements will test individual components and the entire B-2 fleet at higher EMP levels for NC2 Survivability. Integrated Strike Warfare (ISW) Airborne Network project will model and simulate combat effects and performance constraints in an environment that can demonstrate, integrate, generate and validate four generic wave form models which will be used on the B-2 platform. Additionally, this project will establish a viable end-to-end distributed modeling and simulation network. Advanced Tactical Data Link (TDL) will identify B-2 CONOPS requirements and integration issues which will permit B-2 to communicate with other stealth platforms in an anti-access environment to enhance situational awareness and to permit time-critical targeting and engagement. Armament upgrades include, but are not limited to, integration of new and/or advanced weapons on the B-2 to destroy a wider array of target sets, to include moving target sets and Hardened, Deeply Buried Targets (HDBT), as well as destroy more targets per sortie. Integration of the 30K lb class Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) will provide the nation with the ability to hold additional HDBT targets at risk that are currently unachievable with 5K lb class penetrator munitions. The B-2 is the only anti-access penetrating platform capable of carrying the MOP and meets Urgent Operational Needs (UON) requirements. The MOP project will design, develop, integrate, and test hardware, software, and support equipment required for carriage, jettison, and release of both weapons from the B-2. The initial MOP Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) effort will be expanded to include a fully developed Launch Acceptability Region (LAR), single Smart Bomb Rack Controller (SBRC) per bay weapon control and monitor, dual fuze control, and mixed carriage capability with Smart Bomb Rack Assemblies (SBRA). The Moving Target Kill (MTK) effort will leverage a high precision munition such as the Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) as the mobile target kill munition forming the foundation to exploit the modularity and improved precision algorithms of Universal Armament Interface as well as a display infrastructure that can support the integration of this future weapon. Planned upgrades also include integration of upgrades to currently fielded or inventory weapons and weapons development, such as but not limited to, GBU-28 E/B Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) with impact angle control and GBU-28 D/B SAASM with impact angle control, Hard Target Void Sensing Fuse (HTVSF), extended range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM-ER), and JDAM-5000. Finally, basic armament improvements include, but are not limited to, stores management hardware and software modernization and improvements to enable a simultaneous configuration of the Rotary Launcher Assemblies (RLA) and the Smart Bomb Rack Assemblies (SBRA), and integration of new and improved weapon capabilities thus affording maximum strike flexibility. The B-2 Weapons System Tester and its associated Test Program Sets (TPS) will be continually upgraded for increased reliability and performance to support current and new B-2 weapon suspension and release systems. Structures improvements include, but are not limited to, Aft Deck upgrade which addresses an interim and long term solution to persistent cracking of aft deck surfaces while preserving the key stealth characteristics that are vital to the survivability of the B-2; windshield redesign provides improved components and windshield manufacturing processes to remedy windshield cracking and electrical conductivity limitations; Proximity Sensor Logic Unit (PSLU) replacement counters obsolescence issues with electronic components, improving safety of maintainers working around various aircraft bay doors. Engine improvements include, but are not limited to, the F-118 engine service life extension program. Stage 1 and 3 engine fan blade improvements will reduce engine changes, increasing aircraft availability. Engine upgrades are necessary to maintain commonality with the F110 engine core. Low Observable (LO) programs include, but are not limited to, improvements to door edge treatments, tile protection system, Magnetic Radar Absorbing Material (MAGRAM) picture framing and other LO materials development, hot structures, tailpipe material improvements, nozzle bay doors, windshield low observable treatments, advanced topcoat system, radar frequency diagnostics and other LO diagnostic tools development such as improvements of the Signature Diagnostic System database, Low Observable Combat Readiness Model, and other low observable information systems. These upgrades decrease maintenance man-hours and increase aircraft availability while improving/maintaining LO signature of the B-2 fleet. Baseline support maintains the B-2 unique flight test aircraft and as well as obtains, modifies, and operates a flying test bed and developmental hardware/software and test equipment to support developmental systems integration and flight test, reducing the need for additional operational aircraft and accelerates deployment of advanced operational capabilities to the warfighter. Baseline support also ensures the B-2 training systems keep pace with aircraft system updates and counters obsolescence issues; ensures the Mission Planning system keeps pace with aircraft modifications and mission planning core system updates; provides for other B-2 unique government costs, and includes acquisition planning activities for future capabilities such as, but not limited to, Stores Management Processor/Infrastructure upgrades, Advanced Tactical Datalink capabilities, Port Transducer upgrades, mixed weapon load-outs, Universal Armament Interface (UAI), Global Positioning System (GPS) M-Code receivers upgrades, Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) upgrades, Radar Processor Modernization (RPM), Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B), and Extended Mission Oil Tank. This program is included in budget activity code 07, Operational System Development.

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Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date: Oct 01, 2011
Source ID: 0101127F_7_3600_PB_2011
Change Summary Explanation: FY09 and prior fiscal years are funded from PE 0604240F. FY10 changes reflect the completion of development for the B-2 radar modernization program The FY 2010 President's Budget submittal did not reflect FY 2011 through FY 2015 funding. Therefore, explanation of changes between the two budget positions cannot be made in a relevant manner.
Service Agency Name: Air Force

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B-2 SQUADRONS

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