JOINT STARS

Abstract

The Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) program produces the world's premier airborne ground surveillance platform, meeting joint combat capability requirements. The 707-based E-8C Joint STARS aircraft provides all-weather radar-derived surveillance and targeting information on moving and stationary ground targets, slowly moving rotary and fixed wing aircraft, and rotating antennas. Joint STARS provides target information for matching direct attack aircraft, standoff weapons, and ground-based attack assets against selected targets. It can be cued by other intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and target acquisition systems. This capability enables air and ground commanders to effectively make and execute battlefield decisions. It also helps achieve predictive battle space awareness. Activities also include studies and analyses to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning. This program element enhances the war fighter's ability to achieve the joint vision of combat operations. It develops advanced battle management aids and information fusion technologies to enable rapid decisions in tracking and killing time-critical targets. Concept exploration, program definition/risk reduction efforts, and studies support continuous improvements in Command & Control and ISR (C2ISR), Network Centric Operations capabilities, and interoperability with Joint Service, Allied, and Coalition systems. This program element comprises two major efforts, modernization and re-engining: The modernization effort consists of multiple projects to develop and integrate system improvements, platform wide. These include, but are not limited to the following: Spiral development, Enhanced Land Maritime Mode (ELMM), Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS), and Communications and Networking Upgrades (CNU). The modernization effort also includes support for Joint STARS Test and Infrastructure as well as upgrades to the Training and Support Systems. These efforts are detailed below. Spiral Development - The spiral development is an umbrella for various technology development/ insertion efforts to enhance target identification, data processing and transmittal and weapon control capabilities, such as Joint STARS Net Enabled Weapons (JNEW) and Joint Surface Warfare (JSuW), Joint STARS Radar Modernization (JSRM), Senior Year Electro-optical Reconnaissance System (SYERS-3) and Blue Force Tracking. The Joint Surface Warfare (JSuW)-Joint Network Enabled Weapons (JNEW) effort includes participation in the JSuW Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) and Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) for Network Enabled Weapons (NEW) which includes, but is not limited to, Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile-Air Surface Warfare-Anti-Surface Warfare (JASSM-ASuW). The JSRM program applies the Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) technology to JSTARS. The MP-RTIP capability on the E-8 will provide the ability to detect, track and identify both stationary and moving ground vehicles. The demonstration has matured this capability so that it has the potential to begin System Design and Development (SDD) in FY 12 if funds are available. The SYERS-3 program was a demonstration of the SYERS-3 capability on a Joint STARS aircraft. Spiral development also supports requirements for current Urgent Operational Needs (UON), Quick Reaction Capabilities (QRCs), top-down directed efforts, requirements definition, capability gap analysis, Pre-MSA technical risk reduction activities, Blue Force Tracking as well as other large airborne platform integration efforts including Self Defense Suite (SDS), and radar and aircraft performance improvements. Programs and projects under Spiral Development are procured under Kill Chain Enhancement- MN-38203. Enhanced Land Maritime Mode (ELMM) - The ELMM program implements the maritime tracking & improved land tracking upgrade to provide land and maritime tracking capability and improved imagery. ELMM incorporates imagery compression and advanced radar modes. Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) - DMS issues are categorized as Prime Mission Equipment-Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (PME-DMS) and Avionics DMS issues. The PME-DMS program includes the replacement of the Radar Airborne Signal Processor (RASP) and the Clipper Operating Work Stations (OWS) computers. The Avionics DMS issues include, but are not limited to, Aircraft Information Program (AIP), Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), Communications, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) upgrades, Control and Display Unit (CDU) Replacement, Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), Flight Data Recorder (FDR), Electric Flight Bag (EFB), Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Embedded GPS Inertial (EGI) with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM)/M-Code GPS, Digital Multi-Function Flight Display (Attitude Direction Indicator, Horizontal Situation Indicator and Attitude Heading Reference System) , Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), a new Flight Management System (FMS), Flight Director, Instrument Landing System (ILS) Marker Beacon multi-mode receiver (MMR), and digital engine instruments. Communications and Networking Upgrades (CNU) - A multi-phased CNU effort includes, but is not limited to, replacement of the E-8C Link 16 Tactical Data Link (TDL) equipment with National Security Agency (NSA) Cryptographic Modernization Program (CMP) compliant equipment, the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), Integrated Broadcast Services (IBS), the Family of Advanced Beyond Line of Sight Terminals (FAB-T), wideband line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) network communication upgrades, Advanced Tactical Data Links integration, Airborne Networking, and Network Centric operation enhancements. Test and Infrastructure - All of these efforts rely on the test infrastructure provided by the Joint STARS Extended Test Support (JETS) program C2 Enterprise Integration Facility (CEIF). JETS includes a dedicated test aircraft, laboratories, and support facilities used by the Joint STARS Test Force (JTF) to conduct RDT&E activities. Training and support systems upgrades as a part of modernization efforts include, but are not limited to: Weapon Systems Trainer (WST); Navigator Training System (NTS); and Mission Crew Trainers to include a Mission Maintenance Trainer (MMT), Prime Mission Equipment-Maintenance Training Device (PME-MTD) and the Mission System Trainer (MST). Other modernization efforts include interoperability with manned and unmanned platforms; space data links; advanced Battle-Management Command and Control (BMC2) concepts; 8.33/25 kHz VHF Radio with Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) voice and data communication; ISR Constellation; Air Moving Target Indicator (AMTI); Advanced Radar Modes (ARM); Aided Target Recognition (ATR); Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)/Enhanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ESAR); Network Centric Collaborative Targeting (NCCT); and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) networking. The second major Joint STARS effort is re-engining. The JSTARS Re-Engining program replaces legacy TF33-P102C engines with new production JT8D-219 engines. These new engines are predicted to provide the E-8C aircraft improved performance, including thrust, altitude capability, mission duration, time to climb, critical field length (i.e. takeoff performance), fuel efficiency, noise abatement, emissions and reliability. It also adds the potential for additional power generation for future systems. Efforts include non-recurring engineering including Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, flight test, manuals, MIL-STD airworthiness qualification, flight data analysis, and purchase of the Propulsion Pod System (PPS). The PPS consists of new engines (4), pneumatic bleed air system, thrust reversers, nacelles, pylons, exhaust ducts, controls, and instrumentation. 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: 0207581F_7_3600_PB_2012
Change Summary Explanation: FY 2012 funding total includes an increase to preserve JSTARS PME-DMS
Service Agency Name: Air Force

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JOINT STARS

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