Arms Control Implementation
Abstract
The OC-135B aircraft supports the implementation of the United States Government (USG) Open Skies Treaty. This program addresses the requirements in the Presidential Policy Directive-15 (PPD-15). The Open Skies Treaty allows signatories to conduct observation flights over each other's territory using fixed-wing, unarmed observation aircraft. The aircraft can use optical cameras, video cameras, sideways-looking synthetic aperture radar, and infrared line scanning devices. There are 34 participating states to the Open Skies Treaty. The Air Force is required to allow over flight of USAF bases per multilateral request; to acquire, operate, and maintain the aircraft and equipment utilized during over flights of partner countries; to provide required sensor media and initial media processing; and to provide airfield servicing, logistics, and maintenance for foreign over flights of the US. In October 2016, the Air Force used a multi-disciplinary High Performance Team to create and validate a series of required capabilities for an Open Skies aircraft, evaluate aircraft that could satisfy the required capabilities, and then consider each of the Doctrine, Organization, Training, materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, Facilities and Policy elements as part of a recommended solution. The effort accomplished two main purposes. First, it updated operational requirement and replaced the 1992 Operational Requirements Document to reflect both operational experience and expected Open Skies program needs for the foreseeable future. Second, it recommended an Air Force solution that best satisfied required capabilities within existing materiel solutions. The Joint Capabilities Board adopted the Air Force recommendation and directed acquisition of two small airliner class aircraft for the Open Skies Treaty mission to be acquired in a method consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and other applicable guidance, training using existing contractor training facilities, equipment, and curriculum, and a maintenance concept with military personnel performing unit-level maintenance actions with contractor support for parts supply, and supply chain management, performed under a Low Utilization Maintenance Program. This effort includes the design, development, and test activities for two OC-135B replacement weapon systems. This effort will modify a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified, commercial-off-the-shelf, small airliner class aircraft. System Development requires structural design, interphone communications systems, flight deck avionics and modification to incorporate the Digital Visual Imaging System (DVIS) system. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver OSTAR weapon system capabilities. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F. The FY2021 funding request was reduced by $76.2 million to account for the availability of prior year execution balances. 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, 2021
- Source ID
- 0305145F_7_3600_PB_2021
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY 2019 funding increased by $4.134M for below threshold reprogramming actions. FY 2020 funding reduced due to Congressional mark for "Open Skies Recap delays." FY 2021 funding request reduced by $76.2M to account for availability of prior year execution balances.
- Service Agency Name
- Air Force
Entities
Organizations
- United States Air Force
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