JSTARS Recapitalization
Abstract
JSTARS Recap is a manned aircraft replacement for the legacy E-8C that provides decision superiority via tactical Battle Management, Command and Control (BMC2) and Battlespace Awareness (BA) across the full Range of Military Operations (ROMO). Armed with an on-board crew, powerful radar, and robust communications and information systems, it enables theater ground and air commanders to make quick decisions with decisive results during complex and rapidly unfolding operations. It is the only Theater Air Control System (TACS) node with a wide-area ground surveillance sensor, and provides commanders with 'fail forward' distributed control of an assigned area at the edge of the battlefield. Capabilities include near-real-time wide-area surveillance (WAS) and targeting information on wheeled and tracked vehicles, slow-moving rotary and fixed wing aircraft, rotating antennas, jammers, dismount targets (personnel on foot), and stationary ground/surface targets (including maritime). SAR imagery enables both terrain imaging and stationary target location. The system is designed for day and night worldwide deployment in all weather conditions. JSTARS Recap is the most cost-effective and operationally-effective materiel solution derived from the DoD's Joint Capability Integration and Development System (JCIDS)process, which includes a completed Initial Capability Document (ICD), Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), and draft Capability Development Document (CDD). JSTARS Recap enhances the warfighter's ability to achieve the joint vision of combat operations by integrating current and mature sub-system technologies onto a commercially available business class jet. It delivers advanced battle management aids and information fusion technologies to enable rapid decisions by automating tracking and addressing time-critical targets for surface and land forces. JSTARS Recap addresses the downward sustainment trends with the aging E-8C fleet and focuses on the warfighter's highlighted mission area gaps. The JSTARS Recap program consists of multiple efforts (reflected in the R-3), culminating in the integration of four major subsystems. The major subsystems include: BMC2 subsystem; Sensor subsystem; Air Vehicle subsystem; Communications subsystem. The USAF has developed and maintained the system's government reference architecture which adheres to an Open Systems Architecture (OSA) and shapes how industry will plan their integration activities towards this materiel solution. The USAF has allocated resources to support internal System Engineering and Integration activities aimed at bolstering competition, improving affordability, and reducing overall weapons system life-cycle costs. To instill affordability and strategic agility the government is pursuing an OSA. The net result of this technical/business approach is to ensure the design of the system is adaptable/flexible to meet changing threats, which includes a responsive industrial base. This program is in Budget Activity 05, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it is conducting engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full-rate production. MDD acquisition decisions are expected to happen in 2QFY15, allowing the program to enter the TMRR phase and then an expected MS B decision in 2017. Activities also include studies, analyses, and risk reduction activities addressing all subsystems to support both current program planning/execution and future program planning.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Source ID
- 650003_0307581F_5_3600_PB_2016
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