Manned Reconnaissance System

Abstract

The RC-135 Operational Systems Development and enhancement activities project supports design studies, engineering analysis, non-recurring engineering, and other efforts associated with the integration and modification of the RC-135 programs and their specialized mission systems -both air and ground. Extensive utilization of commercial-off the-shelf (COTS) based solutions allows rapid fielding of needed capabilities through continuous technology refresh cycles and diminishing manufacturing sources (DMS)/vanishing vendor items (VVI) logistics mitigation efforts. The results of these efforts provide for preliminary assessments of technical feasibility, operability, or military utility as well as specific engineering implementations for integration into the various systems baseline configurations. These activities are managed by the Air Force through the 645th Aeronautical System Group (645 AESG, a.k.a. BIG SAFARI Systems Program Office or SPO), Aeronautical Systems Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright Patterson AFB, OH. BIG SAFARI manages engineering, ground and support systems modifications, integration, flight testing, product assurance, acceptance testing, logistics, and training activities. Aircraft, aircraft sensor systems, and associated ground support system engineering planned for FY13 include support for two distinct RC-135V/W RIVET JOINT configurations [Baselines 11 & 12], two distinct RC-135U COMBAT SENT configurations [Baselines 4 & 5] and two distinct RC-135S COBRA BALL configurations [Baselines 4 & 5]. The world-wide challenge of keeping pace against technologically agile targets used by both nation and non-nation-state adversaries and the rapid evolution of COTS technologies demands a responsive and adaptive acquisition strategy for fielding "baseline capabilities" that are logistically supportable at all locations. BIG SAFARI uses an incremental "baseline" strategy to mitigate risk, find affordable solutions and field needed capabilities on the aircraft and ground support and training systems. Obsolescence and DMS/VVI are addressed with each baseline upgrade as well as annually as part of the sustainment responsibilities. Activities also include studies and analysis to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational Systems 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 fielding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2013
Source ID
0305207F_7_3600_PB_2013
Change Summary Explanation
FY 2011 adjustment of $0.078M due to Congressional mark up for Economic Assumptions.
Service Agency Name
Air Force

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Cycles
  • Engineering
  • Flight Testing
  • Ground Support
  • Life Cycle Management
  • Life Cycles
  • National Security
  • Reconnaissance
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
  • Software Engineering.

Related Documents