B-2 Squadrons

Abstract

The B-2 is currently undergoing modernization of avionics, communications systems, cockpit displays, 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, as well as advanced weapons integration and advanced communications, 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 B-2 Display Modernization program is a modernization of the B-2 multi-purpose display units (MDUs) and includes removal of the Defensive Management System- Modernization (DMS-M) modification from the B-2 fleet test aircraft and lab environment. This is not a new start, but a continuation of RDT&E scope that was part of the previous DMS-M program. FY 2021 and prior years DMS-M efforts were in PE 0605931F. B-2 Advanced Communications (formerly known only as Adaptable Communications Suite) supports and enhances the aircraft's communications capabilities to keep the B-2 ready, effective, and survivable by complying with growing crypto mandates and mitigating end of life systems. Requirements include but are not limited to, Secure Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) communications, Line-of-Sight (LOS) communications, and the ability communicate and operate in the Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) environment throughout all mission phases. Multiple modernization efforts are underway to achieve the requirements including, but not limited to, Adaptable Communications Suite (ACS) Increment 4.0, Airborne Integrated Terminal Group (AITG) Replacement and B-2 Collaborative Combat Communications (B2C3). 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 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. This budget supports B-2 nuclear certification activities to include certification testing, analysis, and support related costs to ensure the weapon system's nuclear mission remains intact. 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. Additionally, program funds may be used for Airframe Hardware Supportability Modifications (AHSM). The AHSM program increases aircraft availability and ensures mission effectiveness by targeting flight control, defensive management, communication, armament, and other system components that are the greatest contributors to aircraft downtime and/or ineffective system performance through lack of spares, extensive man-hours to troubleshoot and repair, and/or high failure rates. This program addresses current and forecasted obsolescence, Diminishing Manufacturing Sources/Material Shortages (DMSMS), and effective and timely repairs at both the field and depot levels. It also targets components whose failure rates, mean time to repair (MTTR) hours, and performance levels fail to meet established baseline targets/specifications. This program includes multiple efforts including, but not limited to, the Radio Frequency Switching Unit, Radar Receiver Exciter, Radar Signal Processor, Flight Control Computer, Band 1 Radio Frequency Front End (RFFE), Air Turbine Starter Control Valve. The BY2024 funding request was reduced by $12.744 million to account for the availability of prior year execution balances 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 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY22 0M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY23 0M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. 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, 2024
• Source ID: 0101127F_7_3600_PB_2024
• Change Summary Explanation: FY22 reduced -4.048 million for SBIR; -3.850 million as source on FY22-11PA reprogramming FY23: Congressional directed reductions: -$10.2M for Adaptable Communication Suite (ACS) program carryover, and -$5M for B-2 Display Modernization (BDM) program excess to need; also Congressional Add: $5M for B-2 modernization FY24: -$25.267M addressed higher priority Air Force efforts and DAF underexecution issues.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Autonomy
• Cyber
• Engineered Resilient Systems (Alumni COI)
• Kinetic Weapons
• Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Accuracy
• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Air Traffic
• Aircrafts
• Command And Control
• Communication Systems
• Global Communications
• Line Of Sight
• Logistics
• Maintenance
• Radio Frequency
• Simulators
• 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