B-52 Radar Modernization Program (RMP)

Abstract

The B-52 Radar Modernization Program (RMP) supports nuclear and conventional operations by upgrading or replacing, in whole or in part, the current APQ-166 radar Line Replaceable Units on the B-52H aircraft. The APQ-166 system will be increasingly difficult to sustain due to diminished manufacturing sources and obsolescent technologies; the current failure rate of the APQ-166 places long-duration missions at risk. This modernization program will encompass the radar antenna array and up to 14 individual LRUs that comprise the entire radar system. Development, production and installation of new components and systems to replace the legacy equipment; to be installed on all 76 B-52H aircraft. RMP will take advantage of advances in technology and on-going development efforts to acquire, to the maximum extent possible, off-the-shelf components and integrate them into the B-52. The use of new technology will increase both the overall reliability of the radar system and the capabilities for new missions. This Radar Modernization Program will allow the operational command (AF Global Strike Command) to fully utilize the capabilities of the B-52H aircraft to employ an array of weapons and to perform mission-essential navigation and weather avoidance functions. In addition, all the applicable training devices which process radar data or represent the radar subsystem must also be modified and upgraded in conjunction with the aircraft modifications. This upgrade will affect all three Weapon System Trainers (WST), the WST Training Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL), both B-52 Offensive Station Maintenance Trainers (OSMT), and the Bombing-Navigation System Maintenance Trainers (BNSMT). Based on input from AFGSC, the program will retire the five existing BNMSTs and replace them with three new virtual training devices. This project 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, 2017
• Source ID: 675056_0101113F_7_3600_PB_2017

Tags

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.