Combat Training Range Equipment

Abstract

The Combat Training Ranges (CTR) programs provides equipment and support to Air Force units and combat training ranges for electronic warfare (EW) mission testing, training, and evaluation of aircrews, as well as operational testing of weapon systems and tactics under simulated combat conditions. This program provides funding for the development and integration of EW training capabilities to include: Air Combat Training Systems (ACTS); threat emitters; advanced radar threat systems; communication jammers; command and control and debrief capability; and instrumentation equipment/systems. These systems and capabilities support integrated training operations for all aircraft (including 5th Gen) and for joint, coalition, and Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training events. The Advanced Radar Threat System (ARTS) programs develop, design, build and test threat system simulators based on advanced foreign fielded surface-to-air missile (SAM) radar threat systems. The ARTS variants will be used at Department of Defense (DoD) training ranges for 4th and 5th generation aircrew training and tactics development to increase combat effectiveness and aircrew survivability by training aircrews to engage or defend against an advanced SAM threat before encountering it in actual combat to stress their tactics, techniques and procedures. The ARTS programs support early research, studies, technology development, and planning for next generation threat systems that challenge the Air Force's asymmetric advantage. The ARTS programs also fund development of high fidelity surrogate targets matching simulated threat systems to stress 5th generation sensor fusion capabilities. The Legacy Range Threat Systems Low Cost Mod (LRTSLCM) efforts fund development of modifications for legacy threat systems to provide continued combat training relevancy and enhanced systems capabilities. Legacy range threat systems include Multiple Threat Emitter System (MUTES), Miniature Multiple Threat Emitter System (Mini-MUTES), Modular Threat Emitter (MTE) system, Tactical Radar Threat Generator (TRTG) system, Band Simulator, Unmanned Modular Threat Emitter (UMTE) system, and legacy Joint Threat Emitter (JTE) systems. Enhancements focus on upgrading threat systems to match fielded modifications for foreign threat systems faced by combat aircrews. The Common Electronic Attack Receiver (CEAR) provides reactive training and enhanced debriefs using legacy threats. The Digital Threat Relevancy (DTR) effort upgrades Band Simulator and other legacy emitters with modern electronics to improve threat relevance and sustainability. The Double Digit Threat Emitter (DDTE) effort leverages JTE to provide a lower cost EW simulator, enabling greater on-range threat density of advanced SAM radars. P5 Combat Training System (P5 CTS) program addresses new capability requirements for the fielded P5 system, to include continued operations in a GPS-contested environment. Lastly, this program funds ongoing analyses, studies, risk reduction efforts, and/or technology development to enhance Operational Training Infrastructure (OTI), such as combat training range equipment integration into a blended training (Live, Virtual, Constructive) architecture, communication and GPS jammers, weapon drop scoring systems and infrastructure networks. These enhancements add a critical dimension to exercises and optimize warfighter training. Live Mission Operations Capability (LMOC) will create an efficient, integrated, and high-fidelity range capability in direct support of F-22 and F-35 live-fly qualification and continuation training requirements. LMOC will standardize and connect federated range systems with the goal of providing a seamless training environment to operators and support personnel. In FY19 Live Mission Operations Capability (LMOC) was a new start. This program element 0604735F may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Combat Training Range 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, 0605898F, and 0605833F. 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 5, System Development and Demonstration (SDD) because it has passed Milestone B approval and is conducting engineering and manufacturing development tasks aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full rate production.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2020
• Source ID: 652286_0604735F_5_3600_PB_2020

Tags

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Military Training and Readiness Simulation

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics
• Space