Advanced Communications Systems

Abstract

The TACP-Modernization (TACP-M) program is acquiring new equipment to give TACPs the capability to detect targets and compute precise target coordinates for employment of GPS aided weapons, reduce the potential for fratricide, and reduce the potential for collateral damage in civilian-occupied areas. This new equipment shortens the kill chain by reducing the time required to submit air support requests, provide target information to aircraft, and ensure pilots are tracking the correct target. By reducing the time required to execute close air support missions in "troops-in-contact" situations, the TACP-M program helps reduce the number of U.S. and coalition casualties due to enemy action. TACPs deploy with Army maneuver units and provide a Command and Control (C2) link for Close Air Support (CAS), airlift and AF surveillance/reconnaissance missions. TACPs are equipped with various targeting and communications equipment needed to interface with ground maneuver forces, aircraft conducting CAS operations, other Joint Fires assets, aerospace C2 aircraft/agencies, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms/agencies. The TACP-M program provides TACP, Air Support Operations Centers (ASOCs), and Tactical Operations Center (TOCs) personnel with the capability to precisely locate and target enemy ground forces by integrating various Laser Targeting Devices (LTD) and ultra high frequency satellite communications (UHF SATCOM) for beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) Air Force Air Request Net operations. The purpose of the TACP-M program is to reduce reliance on voice transmission and replace analog equipment with the latest digital, data link and streaming video (e.g. Streaming Video Receiver) technology. Upgraded digital communications enable machine-to- machine interface between TACPs and Close Air Support (CAS) aircraft, Army units and other TACP units. Machine-to-machine communication provides reliable, high speed digital communications, ultimately supports joint and multinational interoperability, improves battlefield Situational Awareness (SA), increases targeting accuracy, reduces kill chain decision time, improves data flows/information exchange, and reduces potential fratricide. The TACP-M program supports the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) and significantly increased the mission effectiveness of the TACPs and ASOCs during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. The TACP-M program continues to be instrumental in providing ground communications for TACPs during federal emergency relief operations and Homeland Defense initiatives. TACP-M is divided into three segments: Dismounted, Mounted, and Software. The TACP provides modernized, modular, re-locatable and man portable capabilities via streamlined acquisition using non-developmental, off-the-shelf (OTS) Manpack Radios (MPR) or Handheld Radios (HHR), laser targeting devices (LTDs) (including Laser Range Finder (LRFs), Joint Effects Targeting System (JETS) laser designators and imagers), tactical computers, and ancillary equipment combined with Close Air Support System (CASS) software for dismounted, ASOC, and TOC use. TACP mounted segment upgrades existing TACP communications systems with new Software Communication Architecture (SCA)-CERTIFIED, Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) or available software programmable radios, legacy radios, and ancillary components, which provide reliable communications for CAS and other air support operations. TACP-M will integrate Internet Protocol (IP)-capable, SCA radios for voice & data UHF SATCOM and LOS UHF /VHF communications. TACP-M funds will continue to develop systems integration software (for dismounted and mounted) for multiple air/ground platforms (e.g. JETS (TECS software development), Small Diameter Bomb II (SDBII), F-35, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, Gateway Lite, and ASOC Gateway vehicle) and will provide interoperability datalinks such as Situational Awareness Data Link (SADL), Link-16 and other transformational communications capabilities. Mounted overseas contingency operations also require new digital communications/network enabled capabilities integrated in armored vehicle platforms including High Mobility, Multi-Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), Stryker, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) and other vehicle platforms used in times of conflict. The Air Force has requested acceleration of a vehicular communications capability into TACP Stryker Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) and other tactical vehicles. Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) is the Department of Defense (DoD) family of interoperable, modular, software-defined radios that will form the foundation of radio frequency information transmission for Joint Vision 2020. Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) will link the power of the Global Information Grid (GIG) to the warfighter in applying fire effects and achieving overall battlefield superiority. By developing and implementing an open architecture of cutting-edge radio waveform technology, multiple radio types (e.g., handheld, ground-mobile, airborne, maritime, etc.) are now capable of communicating with one another. JTRS radios are intended to interoperate with existing radio systems and improve Joint warfighting through a series of new, joint networking waveforms enabling communication via voice, data, and video over mobile, ad-hoc, internet protocol (IP) based networks. Each radio will operate as a node in the network to ensure secure wireless communication and networking services for airborne, mobile and fixed forces. These goals extend to U.S. allies, joint and coalition partners, and, in time, disaster response personnel. JTRS will make the Air Force more effective in Joint warfighting through a series of new, joint networking waveforms. These waveforms included the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), which provides next generation SATCOM beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS)communications, as well as the Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) and the Soldier Radio Waveform(SRW) which provide interoperability with Army ground forces from the bridade level down to the dismounted soldier. Together these waveforms enable Joint Close Air Support (JCAS), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and other Joint missions. The JTRS program is built around an open Software Communications Architecture (SCA), allowing common software waveform applications to be implemented across the family of radios to provide joint-service, allied, and coalition interoperability. The Enterprise Business Model, incorporating a common set of shared open system standards, promotes competition and reduces procurement costs for the DoD. Air Force JTRS will support the development of a common integration solution and acquisition plan across multiple AF platforms as well as unique integration solutions to meet platform specific requirements. Non-recurring engineering investment in JTRS integration hardware, software, and risk reduction efforts is required to successfully integrate these digital radios on Air Force platforms, display information received and transmitted over these radios for operator use, and integrate JTRS information with information from other aircraft systems. This hardware and software includes racks, cabling, digital processors and data displays necessary to integrate JTRS radio sets, onto multiple Air Force platforms. Development activities support the close coordination with the JTRS JPEO, industry, and the platform program offices to ensure successful and efficient integration of JTRS radios onto a wide variety of unique AF platforms. 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.

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Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date: Oct 01, 2012
Source ID: 0207423F_7_3600_PB_2012
Change Summary Explanation: Reprogramming action moved $9.375M of OCO funding for ROVER that was inadvertently added to this PE to its proper location, PE 0207277F. Funding increases over the FY11 level beginning in FY12 support the development of JTRS radio integration solutions. Challenges indentified in integrating the Airborne and Maritime/Fixed Station(AMF)Small Airborne (SA) radio onto 22 unique AF platforms (approximately 2400 aircraft) prompted an increase to the non-recurring engineering (NRE) required. This funding supports the development and risk reduction of a common integration solution to support multiple platforms as well as the hardware/software development and testing required by each unique platform. The funding ramp supports an increased numbers of platforms that will begin integration outside the FYDP.
Service Agency Name: Air Force

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Advanced Communications Systems

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