Aircraft Modernization Program (AMP)
Abstract
The KC-10A Extender is an aerial refueling asset built on the commercial DC-10 airframe. The aircraft creates an air bridge enabling rapid global mobility and global strike missions. There are 59 KC-10A aircraft in the USAF tanker fleet. RDT&E funds throughout the FYDP will be used to support the Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) and Mode 5 modification efforts. The KC-10 Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) program provides worldwide airspace accessibility by FY2015 for the fleet of 59 KC-10 aircraft. FAA airworthiness certification following the modification is required. An upgrade of the current Flight Management System (FMS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) is required to meet the 2015 CNS/ATM requirements and address associated INS and FMS obsolescence issues. This capability gap is well documented in both RAND KC-10 Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) studies. Avionics components shall use either Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or Military Off-The-Shelf (MOTS) software and hardware. CNS/ATM requirements include: Required Navigation Performance (RNP-4) Oceanic/Remote for enroute Oceanic Airspace with either 50/50 Nautical Miles (NM) or 30/30 NM separations; Basic Area Navigation (BRNAV) for enroute European Airspace (9,500ft & up); RNP 2 & 1 for enroute & terminal airspace operations; Precision-RNAV (P-RNAV) for Preferred terminal area routes in Europe (1 NM Accuracy); RNP-4 & RNP-1 for reduced separations enroute, and terminal airspace; Time of Arrival Control for Refuel rendezvous (within 30 sec); Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B) Out for enhanced air and ground surveillance; Global Positioning System (GPS) for enhanced navigation capability; Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) for Global Positioning System (GPS) Security; Satellite Data Link for Air Traffic Systems (ATS) and Command and Control (C2) Communications for flight in Oceanic Airspace (FL310-410); Satellite Voice for Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Pilot - Controller Communications C2 Operations; and Very-High Frequency Data Link (VDL) Mode-2 for Line of Sight (LOS) Pilot - Controller Communications and C2 Operations. The Mode 5 modification is a DoD-mandated (JROCOM 047-07, 5 Mar 07 directs KC-10 IOC by 2014, FOC by 2020) upgrade to the KC-10's Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) system (the primary means of aircraft identification during Air Defense operations). The Mode 5 upgrade increases anti-spoofing and exploitation capabilities, and lowers the possibility of aircraft/aircrew loss due to misidentification of friendly aircraft. The modification includes a new Mode 5 crypto applique, new IFF control panel, a circuit card upgrade to the APX-119 transponder, support equipment upgrades and replacement/relocation of the data loader from the avionics bay to the flight deck.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2013
- Source ID
- 675195_0401219F_7_3600_PB_2013
Related Documents
- Root: KC-10S
- Child Accomplishment: CNS-ATM Avionics Upgrade, and Mode 5 Engineering Design