Family of Advanced BLoS Terminals (FAB-T)

Abstract

The FAB-T project replaces legacy Milstar terminals and will provide Extremely High Frequency (EHF), protected high data rate communication for nuclear and conventional forces to include Presidential and Nation Voice Conferencing (PNVC). FAB-T will provide the new, highly secure, state-of-the-art capability for DoD platforms to include strategic platforms and airborne/ground command posts via Milstar, AEHF, and Enhanced Polar System (ESP) Satellites. FAB-T terminals will also support the critical command and control (C2) of the Milstar, AEHF and EPS satellite constellations. The Air Force will continue development of the FAB-T Command Post Terminal (CPT), performing activities to meet current and future emerging SATCOM requirements. The Force Element Terminal (FET) project provides secure, protected, and survivable communications for the strategic and tactical warfighter through airborne based MILSATCOM terminals, The FET will provide the B-52, and RC-135 aircraft with worldwide nuclear and non-nuclear survivable, anti-jam Low Probability of Detect (LPD)/Low Probability of Intercept (LPI), data and voice communications. The FET will be interoperable with Milstar, AEHF, Enhanced Polar Systems - Recapitalization (EPS-R), and Evolved Strategic SATCAM (ESS) Satellite constellations utilizing both Low Data Rate (LDR) and Extended Data Rate (XDR) waveforms. The PNVC capability is a critical element of the Nuclear Command, Control, and communications (NC3) System. PNVC is the Survivable Emergency Conferencing Network (SECN) replacement capability which provides anti-jam, anti-scintillation, survivable, and endurable voice communications through the AEHF satellite system for national and strategic users. There are several components being developed and procured by other organizations that must be synchronized to expeditiously field the capability. The PNVC Integrator is responsible for end-to-end integration of these components, to include requirements traceability, end-to-end system testing, configuration and checkout activities, training and technical manuals, network transition support, identification of deficiencies in overall PNVC system capability, enterprise and life cycle support for PNVC components. The AFPEO-SP approved entry into the acquisition lifecycle as post MS-A ACAT III Program of Record in January 2016. Starting in December 2018 PNVC Integrator is responsible for all program elements' requests for funding related to the Defense Information Systems and Agency (DISA) components of the PNVC System in accordance with FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, Sec. 1661. Space acquisition must respond with speed and agility to emerging adversary threats. Space & Missile Systems Center (SMC) is transforming the organization and implementation of space acquisition to an enterprise approach, maximizing innovation and resiliency, leveraging international, commercial, and mission partnerships, and managing program/project priorities according to an integrated unclassified/classified enterprise space architecture. Expanding the appropriate acquisition authorities and contract mechanisms to deliver capability sooner, SMC will strategically execute experimentation, prototyping, risk reduction, and other efforts to develop new or repurpose capabilities. The FY 2020 funding request was reduced by $12.154 million to account for the availability of prior year execution balances. Reduce Family of Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminal (FAB-T) Force Element Terminal (FET) saved $29.700M in FY 2020. Reduce Family of Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminal (FAB-T) Force Element Terminal (FET) description: Redirects an identified FY 2020 excess in RDT&E funding to programs aligned with the National Defense Strategy for improvement of lethality, such as Kill Chain Automation. As directed in the FY 2018 NDAA, Sec 825, amendment to PL 114-92 FY 2016 NDAA, Sec 828 Penalty for Cost Overruns, the FY 2018 Air Force penalty total is $14.373M. The calculated percentage reduction to each research, development, test and evaluation and procurement account will be allocated proportionally from all programs, projects, or activities under such account. 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, 2020
• Source ID: 1203001F_7_3600_PB_2020
• Change Summary Explanation: FY 2018: -$5.000M Congressional Reduction for prior year carryover FY 2019: -$20.000M Congressional Reduction; FET Terminals early to need FY 2020: -$41.840M Reduction to FAB-T FET; +$35.900M increase to PNVC
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Engineered Resilient Systems
• Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Command And Control
• Contracts
• Cost Analysis
• Data Rate
• Extremely High Frequency
• Information Systems
• Life Cycles
• Line Of Sight
• National Security
• Product Development
• Product Prototyping
• Satellite Constellations
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Voice Communications

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.
• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Space
• Space - Satellites