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. In FY 2020 and prior, the B-2 DMS-M effort was documented in PE 0605931F B-2 DMS, Project 653844 B-2 DMS. Beginning in FY 2021, this effort is documented in PE 0101127F B-2 Squadrons, Project 675345 B-2 Modernization. The FY 2021 budget reflected a significant restructure of the B-2 DMS-M program that reduced the program scope to modernize the B-2's primary flight displays. The legacy displays are not supportable due to obsolescence and repair issues which will severely impact future aircraft availability and are currently the number-one driver for reduced fleet readiness. The DMS-M effort was re-named to B-2 Display Modernization (BDM) to reflect the current scope of the effort. The BDM program will resume the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase, during which the engineering baseline will be finalized and production representative kits will be purchased to support software development, platform integration, integrated development/operational test, pre-Milestone C production assessment, and B-2 nuclear certification testing. Diminishing manufacturing sources and materiel shortages for affected components will be addressed to protect the planned production program by mitigating unplanned part redesign and requalification risks. The program will ensure the most efficient restructure minimizing rework from the baseline DMS-M program. The Adaptive Communication Suite (ACS) is a non-integrated system that provides SATCOM connectivity for Command and Control enroute to the target. A critical capability is the ability to receive Airborne Mission Transfer (AMT) and Beyond Line-of-Sight Situational Awareness. This effort includes improvements to the suite of B-2 ACS UHF communications system in order to become part of the baseline configuration, as well as modernization upgrades to conform to mandates. 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. Integration of the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER) weapon will further enhance the B-2s ability to attack and destroy high value target sets. Additional studies and efforts will refine B-2 targeting accuracy using GPS guided weapons. 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 drivers, and signature degradation, while maintaining LO reliability / Maintainability / Supportability, and provides high signature confidence to combatant commanders. 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 and conventional weapons in a non-GPS environment. The B-2 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode 5/S modification program replaces the current IFF transponder with a new Mode 5 and Mode S capable transponder ensuring compliance with DoD Combat Identification mandates and global Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) requirements. Mode 5 is the DoD standard for secure combat identification and provides improved discrimination between closely spaced platforms, while reducing interference with civil air traffic control transponders, enabling the B-2 fleet to accomplish its anti-access and global strike mission. Mode 5 replaced the obsolete Mode 4 combat identification. Mode S is a civil air traffic control secondary surveillance radar process that allows selective interrogation of aircraft according to the unique 24-bit address. Mode S provides improved accuracy and altitude resolution and reduced interference from closely spaced aircraft through selective interrogation of assigned transponder addresses. 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. B-2 funding also supports innovation activities to include studies, analyses, requirements definition, and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion, and future acquisition programs. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver WEAPON SYSTEM capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F. 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, 2022
• Source ID: 0101127F_7_3600_PB_2022
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2020 adjustments of -$4.166M ($2M BTR to PNT; $2.166M source on OMNIBUS); -$3.168M Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) FY 2021 Program increase - training modernization $5.000M; Prior year carryover -$11.000M; Undistributed Reduction - Excess to Need -$.331M FY 2022 reduced -$29.153M for higher Air Force priorities.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

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

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Adaptive Communications
• Command And Control
• Communication Systems
• Department Of Defense
• Engineering Drawings
• Flight Recorders
• Global Communications
• Guided Weapons
• Logistics
• Maintenance
• Product Development
• Satellite Guided Weapons
• Standoff Missiles
• Test And Evaluation
• Test Equipment
• Training Devices
• Warfare

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.

Technology Areas

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