Systems Engineering & Integration
Abstract
This budget line funds the Airborne High Frequency Radio Modernization (AHFRM) Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) program. The program is designed to replace existing legacy AN/ARC-190 High Frequency (HF) radios with a modernized HF radio, the AN/ARC-260. This replacement radio provides digital, software defined HF capability for 1,300 aircraft (most of which require multiple AN/ARC-260s) across 14 distinct Global Strike, Military Airlift (MAF) and refueling platforms within the US Air Force, US Navy, and US Coast Guard. The AN/ARC-190 is end-of-life and is currently the only HF radio capability within these 14 aircraft platforms. It is anticipated the AN/ARC-190 radio will fall below supply chain thresholds beginning in FY23. This Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Minimum Equipment Listing (MEL) requires a secure Long-Range Communication System (LRCS) on all aircraft performing transoceanic flights, and therefore, will ground any aircraft without this capability. Without the completion of the AHFRM program, any aircraft platform without a functioning LRC radio will be unable to perform any transoceanic flight until a replacement radio is procured outside of current supply chain reserves. The replacement AN/ARC-260 radio is the only Air Force airborne HF digital radio in development to address this anticipated capability gap. Impacted aircraft include AC-130J, B-1, B-52, C-5, C-17, C-130J, E-3, E-4B, E-6B, EC-130J, HC-130J, KC-130H, KC-135, and MC-130J. The new AN/ARC-260 radio provides critical long-range HF communications when satellite communications are unavailable due to nature and/or man-made disruptions. It will incorporate new technologies such as 3G/4G Automatic Link Establishment and Low Probability of Intercept/Detection/Geolocation features, as well as accommodate the development of new technologies through software upgrades and open architecture. Finally, the AN/ARC-260 radio will be critical in providing a survivable/secure communications path. FY24 funding supports the completion of the MTA rapid prototyping phase and minimizes any negative impact resulting from asset availability. The AHFRM program began in FY19 and is currently at the end of its rapid prototyping phase, having successfully developed a capable prototype. FY24 funding efforts include prototype maturation, test asset development, developmental and operational testing (DT/OT), and production readiness activities required to transition into a Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) program. The AHFRM program received FY19 and FY20 funding to begin its rapid prototyping efforts. In FY22, the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) program (PE 0604288F) provided 38.2M FY22 funding to continue AHFRM program development. The SAOC FY22 PB supports use of RDT&E funds for external subsystems that heavily impact their technical baseline. The AHFRM program directly supports SAOC derived requirements and meets bona fide need requisites for FY22 work. Because the program received FY22 funding through the SAOC program, this program is not considered a New Start due to the Skip Rule. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY22 0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY23 0.000M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. The total cost of the Airborne HF Radio Modernization Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is 156.01 million, including RDT&E. The Airborne HF Radio Modernization is fully funded across the Future Years Defense Program. 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, 2024
- Source ID
- 675046_0303133F_7_3600_PB_2024
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