KC-10S

Abstract

The KC-10A Extender is an aerial refueling asset built on the commercial DC-10 airframe. The aircraft creates an air bridge to enable rapid global mobility and global strike missions. There are 59 aircraft in the USAF tanker fleet. RDT&E funds throughout the FYDP will be used to support the Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) and Boom Control Unit (BCU) modification efforts. The KC-10 Aircraft Modernization Program (AMP) was the first major modification to the KC-10A Extender and included required CNS upgrades, increased survivability, net-centric operational capabilities, reliability enhancements, Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS), a growth path for Defensive Systems (DS), provisions to support multi-mission payloads, real-time threat information in the cockpit (RTIC), communications upgraded flight data recorder (FDR), fuel system gauges, refueling boom/drogue electronics, and flight engineer station controls/instruments. In mid-FY07, concept refinement studies addressed potential technical approaches, spiral developments, cockpit commonality and yielded valuable affordability information. Shortly thereafter, HQ AMC decided to reduce program scope based on affordability. As a result, the current effort will consist of three AMP requirements: Communications Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM), Boom Control Unit (BCU) and Mode 5. As of Mar 08, OC-ALC assumed management responsibility for the program. The KC-10 CNS/ATM program will provide worldwide airspace accessibility by FY2015 for the fleet of 59 aircraft. An upgrade of the current Flight Management System (FMS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) will be required to meet the 2015 CNS/ATM requirements. Avionics components shall use either commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), or military off-the-shelf (MOTS) software and hardware. CNS/ATM requirements include: Required Navigation Performance (RNP-4) Oceanic/Remote for En-route Oceanic Airspace with either 50/50 NM or 30/30 NM separations; Basic Area Nav (BRNAV) for En route European Airspace (9,500ft & up); RNAV 2 & 1 for en route & Terminal airspace operations; Precision-RNAV (P-RNAV) for preferred terminal area routes in Europe (1 NM Accuracy); RNP-4 & RNP-1 for reduced separations en route, and terminal airspace; Time of Arrival Control for Refuel rendezvous (within 30 sec); Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out for enhanced air and ground surveillance; Global Positioning System (GPS) for enhanced navigation capability; Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) for Global Positioning System (GPS) Security; Satellite Data Link for ATS and C2 Communications for flight in Oceanic Airspace (FL310-410); Satellite Voice for Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Pilot - Controller Communications and C2 Operations; and VHF Data Link (VD)L Mode-2 for LOS Pilot - Controller Communications and C2 Operations. FAA airworthiness certification of the modification is required. The KC-10 Boom Control Unit (BCU), responsible for the operation of the KC-10's primary air refueling mission, will soon be unsupportable due to parts obsolescence as early as 2010. Once the BCU spares pool is exhausted (estimated to be 2012 +/- 2 years), any KC-10 requiring a BCU repair or replacement will not be capable of performing its air refueling mission until a replacement unit is fielded. This modification effort replaces the current BCU to overcome these parts obsolescence issues. The replacement BCU will be form, fit, function, and interface identical to the existing unit so as to be fully interchangeable. The Mode 5 modification is a DoD-mandated (IOC by 2014, FOC by 2020) upgrade to the KC-10's Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) system (the primary means of aircraft identification during Air Defense operations). The Mode 5 upgrade will increase anti-spoofing/exploitation capabilities, and lower the possibility of aircraft/aircrew loss due to misidentification of friendly aircraft. The modification will include a new Mode 5 crypto applique, new IFF control panel, a circuit card upgrade to the APX-119 transponder, support equipment upgrades and replacement of data loader from the avionics bay to the flight deck. This program has associated APAF funding in Program Elements 41219F and 41897F. These efforts support fielded weapons systems and therefore are assigned to Budget Activity 7, Operational Systems Development.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2011
• Source ID: 0401219F_7_3600_PB_2011
• Change Summary Explanation: FY2009 funding will be used to support Boom Control Unit Phase II RDT&E activities such as the Critical Design Review (CDR). FY2011 funding will be used to support continuation of the CNS/ATM Engineering Manufacturing Development (EMD) activities, including a Critical Design Review (CDR) and test and evaluation events.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Air Traffic
• Aircrafts
• Antispoofing
• Artificial Satellites
• Avionics
• Contracts
• Cost Analysis
• Data Links
• Engineering
• Global Positioning Systems
• Inertial Navigation
• Inertial Navigation Systems
• Navigation
• Product Development
• Refueling
• Tanker Aircraft
• Test And Evaluation

Readers

• Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
• Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.

Technology Areas

• Microelectronics
• Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems
• Space