Manned Reconnaissance Systems

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), BIG SAFARI Systems Program Office (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, sensor systems, and associated ground support system engineering planned for FY 2015 include support for the RC-135V/W RIVET JOINT Baseline 12, the RC-135U COMBAT SENT Baseline 5 and the RC-135S COBRA BALL Baseline 5 configurations. 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 diminished manufacturing sources/vanishing vendor items (DMS/VVI) are addressed with each baseline upgrade and annually as part of the sustainment responsibilities. RIVET JOINT Baseline 12 upgrades consist of, but are not limited to, increased digital signal exploitation, increased digital signal recorder bandwidth, enhanced spatial processing/exploitation, enhanced weather radar, AF-DCGS interoperability, operator work station 3-D map projection, and new steerable beam antenna. COMBAT SENT Baseline 5 upgrades consist of, but are not limited to, continued Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) and Required Navigational Performance (RNP) compliant cockpit avionics enhancements, active ranging and geolocation capability, cooling duct improvements, precision electronic intelligence (ELINT) (CORVUS system) super wideband compressive receiver, RJ Baseline 11 COMINT, wideband global satellite (WGS) communications enhanced integration, and communications upgrade to include Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-J). COBRA BALL Baseline 5 upgrades consist of, but are not limited to, RJ Baseline 11 COMINT, Medium-Wave Infra-Red Acquisition (MIRA) sensor/processor upgrade, MASINT Collection System (MCS) optical upgrade, WGS communications enhanced integration, communications upgrade to include MIDS-J, continued CNS/ATM and RNP compliant cockpit avionics enhancements. 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.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2015
Source ID
0305207F_7_3600_PB_2015
Change Summary Explanation
FY13 reduction in Other Adjustments was due to Sequestration.
Service Agency Name
Air Force

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Air Traffic
  • Aircrafts
  • Engineering
  • Flight Testing
  • Ground Support
  • Life Cycle Management
  • Life Cycles
  • Map Projection
  • Meteorological Radar
  • National Security
  • Program Management
  • Radio Equipment
  • Reconnaissance
  • Tactical Radios
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space

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