Sensor Development
Abstract
The U-2S Dragon Lady platform is a high-demand/low-density aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art sensor and data link systems providing mission essential Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) to the Combatant Commands, Joint and Combined forces, and the IC community in peacetime and wartime. The program supports core missions such as Sensitive Reconnaissance Operations (outlined in CJCSI 3250.01) in addition to other missions that include execution of CCMD OPLANs and CONPLANs, Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HADR), Counter-Insurgency (COIN) operations and third-party treaty verification/monitoring via the OLIVE HARVEST mission. Currently, the Air Force plans to divest the U-2 in FY25. Until that time, in order to meet NDAA mandated capability and capacity, the Air Force continues to invest and modernize the U-2 program in the 2021 President's Budget. These investments will address reliability, maintainability, supportability, diminishing manufacturing sources/ material shortages (DMS/MS), flight test, safety issues, and integration of capability development activities in support of the broader ISR portfolio. This continued investment in the platform ends in FY25, where the U-2 will be divested. Until that time, RDT&E efforts will address sustainment, modification, and modernization of sensors and associated mission equipment, and focus on integrating/expanding platform capabilities within the larger ISR portfolio; these efforts include (but are not limited to) ASARS 2B/C, avionics and navigation tech refresh, mission planning software and infrastructure upgrades, modernization of aircraft data links, next generation SIGINT, and developing a quick reaction capability (QRC), enabling improved collection against emerging threats and capabilities. Additionally, the U-2 program will continue to prioritize emergent and/or experimental RDT&E efforts designed to mitigate the rapidly evolving combat environment (e.g. electromagnetic requirements) in order to maintain safety and operational relevance through current and future U-2 operating locations. Currently, the U-2 Program provides funding for an Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System (ASARS) acquisition effort. This effort will design, fabricate, integrate, and demonstrate system capability enhancements for a high altitude deep look SAR system. This mitigates a Diminishing Manufacturing Supply and Material Shortages (DMSMS) issue with the current U-2 SAR sensor and processor. 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
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Source ID
- 674820_0305202F_7_3600_PB_2021
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