Mobility Air Forces (MAF) Planning Systems

Abstract

Mission planning involves the creation of a flight plan based on threats, targets, terrain, weather, aircraft performance capability and configuration. It is an essential task that must be completed prior to any fixed or rotary wing aircraft sortie. The planner must have the ability to plan weapon, cargo, passenger, and/or fuel delivery, calculate fuel requirement and assess the route based on known enemy threat location and type. Mission planners must be able to optimize and de-conflict flight routes with other aircraft; review, print and brief the plan; and download pertinent flight information to on-board aircraft avionics. This project develops mission planning systems and related components for Mobility Air Forces (MAF) platforms. It completes (and then stops) development of a Mission Planning Environment (MPE) for a limited number of platforms that comprise the Tanker, Airlift and Special Mission (TASM) suite of aircraft (more commonly known as TASM Sprial 1). It will also modernize the mission planning software required for MAF mission planning, including versions required to keep pace with software and hardware upgrades to Spiral 1 aircraft (e.g. E-3, E-8) and common components such as Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) and Air Refueling. The initial development and modernization efforts are as follows: Additionally, this project continues the development of a Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) in conjunction with the Army. The JPADS System of Systems (SoS) capability provides a planning and execution capability for DoD airdrop requirements. It is the primary airdrop mission planning and execution system when the mission profile or surface-to-air threat assessment warrants a high-altitude and/or standoff precision delivery. JPADS enables high-altitude, precise airdrop delivery to forward ground forces, mitigating surface-to-air threats, reducing risk of Improvised Explosive Device (IED), and insurgent attack on ground convoys. JPADS allows the warfighter to consider weather, terrain, aircraft capabilities, threat, etc... to accurately deliver payload. The initial development and modernization efforts are as follows: a. Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) - continues development of software required to provide a precision airdrop capability for AF and other services (i.e. the Army). b. MPS Increment IV - completes development of an MPE for the migration of a limited number of TASM aircraft [e.g. E-3, E-8, RC-135, HC-130]. It also upgrades several Common Components capabilities (e.g. weather) that support more than one platform. c. MAF Modernization - modifies MAF Mission Planning Environments (MPEs) developed and deployed during previous mission planning increments. The modernization activities will provide new and improved mission planning capabilities for individual MPEs as required to meet evolving Operational Flight Program (OFP) requirements, such as avionics upgrades, communication systems, etc... for various MAF platforms. The modernization effort will also complete a variety of studies and analyses to evaluate emerging Information Technology (IT) infrastructure technologies in support of future system upgrades. RATIONAL FOR OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS (OCO) FUNDING: In FY11 OCO funds are required to refractor prototype software for the Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) weather component. JPADS prototype hardware and software was rapidly fielded to provide an immediate capability for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). The prototype weather software now needs to be re-factored to integrate into the AF C-130 and C-17 mission planning environment and provide extensibility and maintainability to meet increased ground force demands for airdrop missions in OEF. Airdrop requirements in OEF doubled in 2008 and are expected to nearly double again in 2009 and weather data modeling and weather calculations in JPADS software are at the very essence of the AF capability to expand airdrop and provide improved delivery accuracy in support of increased numbers of ground forces in OEF. OEF uniquely requires the AF to provide greater airdrop delivery accuracy because of the rough, varied high-altitude terrain and associated small drop zones and the key to improving accuracy is better weather data collection and processing in the computed air release point calculation in JPADS software. 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, 2012
• Source ID: 675302_0208006F_7_3600_PB_2012

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Readers

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