NAOC Recap Development
Abstract
The E-4B National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) is a survivable node of the National Military Command System (NMCS), providing POTUS, SECDEF and the CJCS a worldwide, survivable, and enduring node of the NMCS to fulfill national security requirements throughout all stages of conflict. As a command, control and communications center directing US forces, executing emergency war orders and coordinating the activities of civil authorities including national contingency plans, this capability ensures continuity of operations plans and continuity of government as required in a national emergency or after negation/destruction of ground command and control centers. The E-4B NAOC Recapitalization effort will replace the aging E-4B fleet which faces capability gaps, diminishing manufacturing sources, increased maintenance costs, and parts obsolescence as it approaches the end of its serviceable life. The recapitalization effort will be informed by Air Force and Department of Defense analyses used to determine a holistic approach to replacing the aging E-4B fleet and integrating its capabilities with other nuclear and national command and control mission sets. In 2015, the Joint Staff completed a Mission Area Analysis (MAA) focused on the Nuclear Command, Control and Communication (NC3) National Military Command system (NMCS) airborne fleets. This analysis examined alternative architectures and CONOPS for achieving requirements, and suggested potential programmatic, platform, and/or mission system synergies across and between fleet recapitalization programs (E-4B, E-6B, VC-25, C-32A). Further, the Joint Staff documented the essential functions necessary to execute Nuclear Command and Control, and defined the operational role of the NC2 enterprise out to 2030 in a NC2 CONOPS. From 2014-2016, the Joint Staff performed an NC2 Capabilities Based Assessment (CBA) to determine potential gaps in the NC2 mission and architecture. The findings of these studies have culminated in an evolved NMCS "aerial layer mission alignment strategy” that may allow the Department of Defense (DoD) to consolidate the airborne command center capabilities provided by the E-4B and E-6B into an optimized fleet of appropriately configured aircraft. This concept is known as the Survivable Airborne Operations Center, or SAOC. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses (direct cite) required to manage, execute, and deliver E-4B weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605826F, 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605830F, 0605831F, 0605832F, and 0605898F. Furthermore, it includes support funding for emerging requirements to support program office operations, management services (FFRDC, A&AS, etc.), PMS, equipment and other as required. 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 effort is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P), because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Source ID
- 646507_0604288F_4_3600_PB_2020
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