B-2 Squadrons

Abstract

The B-2 is currently undergoing modernization of avionics/communications systems, engines, armament systems, low observable components, core training system components, aircraft supportability improvements, and support equipment development. The Air Force will also study multiple structural, avionics, and engine modifications that could improve the performance of the aircraft and engines and reduce maintenance man-hours and the logistics footprint of the fleet. Focus of the studies will be on non-mission capable (maintenance) drivers, safety issues, and obsolescence issues through modernization of key components in the airframe, avionics, and engines resulting in improved aircraft availability of a high demand/low density fleet. The Adaptive Communication Suite (ACS) provides SATCOM connectivity for Command and Control enroute to the target with Airborne Mission Transfer and Beyond Line-of-Site Situational Awareness. This effort includes incremental improvements to the suite of B-2 ACS UHF communications system. B-2 Armament upgrades integrate new and/or advanced weapons on the B-2 to attack a wider array of target sets, to include hardened, deeply buried targets, as well as destroy more targets per sortie. Upgrades includes Flex Strike, JASSM-ER integration and Expanded Strike. The Low Observable Signature and Supportability Modifications (LOSSM) program supports the B-2 ability to penetrate anti-access combat environments, performing missions directed by the National Command Authority while ensuring aircrew survivability. The LOSSM program reduces low observable (LO) maintenance, and stabilizes and improves the combat-ready LO signature for the B-2 fleet. The B-2 Crash Survivable Memory Unit (CSMU) provides a more capable Flight Data Recorder (FDR) with increased capacity for storing Flight Information Data (FID) for recovery and use in the event of a mishap. The Radar Aided Targeting System (RATS) is planned to be a software only solution implemented in several B-2 system level Operational Flight Programs (OFPs) to provide radar-aided enhanced targeting capability through weapon hand-off navigational updates for guided nuclear weapons in a non-GPS environment. The B-2 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5/S modification program provides new equipment to the B-2 for airspace compliance on a global stage. Mode 5 is a new, cryptographically secure mode used solely by the military, which is replacing Mode 4. Mode S is a secondary surveillance radar process that allows selective interrogation of aircraft using a uniquely assigned 24-bit address. The B-2 Training System upgrades include updates to training device hardware and components, simulation software, courseware and academic materials, instructional system design architectures, engineering drawings, and system documentation that is not driven by a funded aircraft modification. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver B-2 weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605826F, 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605830F, 0605831F, 0605832F,and 0605898F. As directed in the FY 2018 NDAA, Sec 825, amendment to PL 114-92 FY 2016 NDAA, Sec 828 Penalty for Cost Overruns, the FY 2018 Air Force penalty total is $14.373M. The calculated percentage reduction to each research, development, test and evaluation and procurement account will be allocated proportionally from all programs, projects, or activities under such account. This program is 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, 2020
• Source ID: 0101127F_7_3600_PB_2020
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2018: Congress reduced AEHF SATCOM by $97M, $0.033M for Congressional General Reduction, and $6.294M for SBIR. FY 2020: $9.1M reduction from Expanded Strike, Airspace Compliance, CSMU and LOSSM to re-phase early to need funding.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Counter WMD
• Engineered Resilient Systems
• Space
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Adaptive Communications
• Air Force
• Command And Control
• Communication Systems
• Contracts
• Cost Analysis
• Deployment
• Engineering
• Engineering Drawings
• Flight Recorders
• Frequency
• Satellite Guided Weapons
• Standoff Missiles
• Test And Evaluation
• Test Equipment
• Warfare

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space