B-2 Modernization

Abstract

Totals include funding for Major Defense Acquisition Program Number (MDAP PNO) 224, B-2 EHF Increment 1; and MDAP PNO 376, B-2 Radar Modernization Program (RMP). The B-2A Spirit is the world's most advanced long-range strike asset. The unique combination of range, precision, payload, and ability to operate in anti-access environments allow the B-2 to identify, locate, target, and destroy the highest value enemy targets. The B-2 can, with necessary upgrades, accomplish its mission regardless of location, return to base safely, and permit freedom of movement for follow-on forces, including other long range strike platforms. An array of planned RDT&E projects are necessary to preserve a strategic advantage as well as increase the flexibility, lethality, and survivability of this national asset tasked across a broad spectrum, from tactical to strategic national objectives. The B-2 has a projected lifecycle through 2058. To ensure the fleet can accomplish its nuclear and conventional mission in highly defended and anti-access environments, periodic modernization efforts must be undertaken to upgrade combat capability as well as improve the viability, supportability, and survivability of the weapon system. Recent and ongoing investments in necessary avionics, structures, communications, and weapons upgrades keep the B-2 viable in the immediate future. Current system upgrades include Defensive Management System Modernization (DMS-M)(PE 65931F/653844 starting in FY13), Extremely High Frequency (EHF) Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and Computers Increments 1 and 2, alternative communication solutions such as Common Very Low Frequency (VLF) Receiver (CVR), Radar Modernization Program (RMP), Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), Stores Management Operational Flight Plan (SMOFP) Rehost, Adaptable Communications Suite (ACS), Link-16 Center Instrument Display (CID)/In-Flight Replanner (IFR), Ultra High Frequency (UHF) SATCOM, armament integration, structures upgrades, engine improvements, low observable signature and supportability modifications, training systems improvements, support equipment modifications, Electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) hardening testing, mission planning improvements, flight test aircraft sustainment and upgrades, and advanced low detection data link upgrades. The Flexible Strike modernization efforts will establish an improved foundation for the Moving Target Kill and Non-Traditional Surveillance and Reconnaissance combat capabilities necessary to ensure air superiority in 21st century combat environments. Efforts include, but are not limited to, Stores Management hardware and software upgrades necessary to accommodate integration of updated conventional and nuclear System II weapons into the B-2 fleet and provide ability to carry different weapons carriage equipment in the separate weapons bays, providing weapons flexibility to combat planners. Other Flexible Strike efforts include the development of a Universal Armament Interface (UAI), integrating multi-platform advanced data links with satellite communication links, integration of the Global Positioning System (GPS) M-Code hardware and software necessary for modernization of Air Traffic Management communications, navigation, and surveillance systems, and enhancement of the Mode 5/S Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system and add Automatic Dependence Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)capability mandated by US and European military and civil aviation agencies to improve situational awareness of controlled and contested airspaces. Finally, improvements are required on the platform data/voice/video recorders to comply with Air Force mandates to provide specific flight and platform data, frequency of update, data precision, and recording duration that does not exist in the aircraft recorder today. After Flexible Strike modifications are implemented, the B-2 fleet will be poised to deliver Moving Target Kill combat capability by leveraging a high precision weapon such as the Small Diameter Bomb II as the mobile target kill munition, forming a foundation to exploit the modularity and improved precision algorithms of Universal Armament Interface (UAI), as well as a display infrastructure that can support the integration of this weapon. The inherent low observable characteristics of the B-2 platform will enable accomplishment of a Non-Traditional Surveillance and Reconnaissance (NTSR) mission. Necessary modifications include, but are not limited to, enhancement of current radar modes, high resolution improvements to the synthetic aperture radar, and improved information fusion required to gather, analyze, and communicate enemy movements and combat capabilities to friendly follow-on forces and the National Command Authority and other operation centers via the Global Information Grid. The B-2 is currently undergoing modernization of avionics/communications systems, structure components, engines, armament systems, low observable components, core training system components, core flight test systems as well as analysis of Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) protection capabilities, and studying future Integrated Strike Warfare (ISW) and Advanced Tactical Data Link (ATDL) integration requirements. DMS-M will maintain B-2 direct attack capability while addressing emerging 21st century threats and countering continuing obsolescence issues (transferring to PE 65931F/653844 in FY13). EHF SATCOM and Computers Increment 1 will provide upgraded flight management computer processors, increased data storage, re-hosted flight management operational flight program, and a high bandwidth data bus in order to prevent degradation of existing capabilities resulting from EHF SATCOM installation. EHF Increment 2 will provide full spectrum secure, survivable, two-way communications and net ready upgrades for command and control of nuclear and conventional National Command Authority directives. The Common Very Low Frequency (VLF) Receiver (CVR) effort develops and integrates a receive only VLF receiver and antenna subsystem to provide secure, survivable strategic communication capability for the B-2. The receiver will be adaptable for use by other platforms. RMP changes the operating frequency of the radar system to enable the B-2 to operate as a primary user worldwide. ACS provides a non-integrated communications system that allows the B-2 fleet to receive a complete integrated mission, time sensitive targeting information, intelligence updates, and positive command and control procedures. Link-16 CID/IFR allows the B-2 access to theater tactical data links, improving on-board situational awareness while greatly enhancing the ability of theater commanders to coordinate the B-2 with other assets. The Center Instrument Display Digital Video Recorder provides the ability to record video signals from the display to the existing recorders in the cockpit. This capability allows mission playback, operational assessments and de-briefs, and provides aircrew training. Armament upgrades include, but are not limited to, integration of new and/or advanced weapons on the B-2 to destroy a wider array of target sets, to include moving target sets and hardened, deeply buried targets, as well as destroy more targets per sortie. Integration of the 30K lb class Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) provides the nation with the ability to hold additional hardened, deeply buried targets at risk that are currently unachievable with 5K lb class penetrator munitions. The B-2 is the only anti-access penetrating platform capable of carrying the MOP and meets Urgent Operational Need requirements. The MOP integration project designs, develops, integrates, and tests hardware, software, and support equipment required for carriage, jettison, and release of two MOP weapons from the B-2. The initial MOP Quick Reaction Capability effort will expand to include a fully developed Launch Acceptability Region, a single Smart Bomb Rack Controller per bay, dual fuse control, and mixed carriage capability with Smart Bomb Rack Assemblies (SBRA). Further expansion includes the addition of a GPS signal into the weapons bays to allow Monitor and Control Equipment (MACE) weapons, SBRA weapons, and RLA weapons to acquire and track GPS satellites prior to weapons release, maintaining unjammed delivery accuracy in a jamming environment. The Stores Management Operational Flight Plan (SMOFP) Rehost and Mixed Carriage program will rehost stores management software onto a new integrated processor to enable simultaneous configuration of multiple weapons carriage capabilities, providing B-2 with maximum strategic nuclear and conventional strike flexibility. Planned upgrades also include integration of upgrades to currently fielded or inventory weapons and weapons development, such as, but not limited to, B61 Life Extension Program, GBU-28 E/B Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module(SAASM) with impact angle control, GBU-28 D/B SAASM with impact angle control, Hard Target Void Sensing Fuse, extended range Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, and JDAM-5000. The B-2 Weapons System Tester and its associated Test Program Sets (TPS), to include but not limited to, the Common Organizational Level Tester (COLT), MUSTANG, and B-2 Armament Tester, will be continually upgraded for increased reliability and performance to support current and new B-2 weapon suspension and release systems. Structures improvements include, but are not limited to, windshield redesign which provides improved components and windshield manufacturing processes to remedy windshield cracking and electrical conductivity limitations; Proximity Sensor Logic Unit upgrade counters obsolescence issues with electronic components, improving safety of maintainers working around various aircraft bay doors, improving reliability of onboard landing gear indicators, and mitigating safety risks to the aircraft and aircrew. Engine improvements include, but are not limited to, the F118 engine service life extension program and the extended mission oil tank upgrade; Stage 1 and 3 engine fan blade improvements will reduce engine changes, increasing aircraft availability. Engine upgrades are necessary to maintain commonality with the F110 engine core. Low Observable Signature and Supportability Modification (LOSSM) projects decrease low observable (LO) maintenance, increase aircraft availability, and maintain and improve the combat-ready LO signature for the B-2 fleet. LOSSM projects improve materials, structures, and diagnostic tools necessary to evaluate LO materials and systems in the B-2 fleet. LOSSM projects include, but are not limited to, improvements to door edge treatments, tile protection system, magnetic radar absorbing material picture framing and other LO materials development, hot structures, tailpipe material improvements, nozzle bay doors, windshield low observable treatments, advanced topcoat system, radar frequency diagnostics and other LO diagnostic tools development such as, but not limited to, improvements of the signature diagnostic system database, tier one material inspection system, and other low observable special test equipment and information systems. The B-2 Training System keeps pace with aircraft system updates while countering obsolescence issues. Improvements include, but are not limited to, threat environment upgrades, radar display emulation, aero fidelity of key pilot procedures, improvements to courseware, upgrades of display systems, subsystems, and simulation and computational processors. Other upgrades include, but are not limited to, conventional and nuclear guided weapons delivery training, expanded crypto keyfill capability in simulators, upgraded capability to train weapons as powered up upon completion of initial conditions, as well as upgrades to the electronic combat environment threat database tools to include threat laydown, threat parametrics, and Integrated Air Defense System. Upgrades also include the Defensive Management System simulation (DMS), DMS alternative/emergency procedures courseware, and Mission Generation System. Enhancements are provided to the B-2 family of trainers to include the Weapon System Trainers, Mission Trainer, Cockpit Procedures Trainers, Computerized Maintenance Training System, Weapon System Training Aids, Weapons Load Trainer, Crew Escape System Maintenance Trainer, Flight Control System Trainer, instructor-operator station, and Training System Support Center. EMP hardening requirements test individual components and the entire B-2 fleet at higher EMP levels for Nuclear Command and Control Survivability. Integrated Strike Warfare (ISW) Airborne Network project models and simulates combat effects and performance constraints in an environment that can demonstrate, integrate, generate, and validate four generic wave form models which will be used on the B-2 platform. Additionally, this project establishes a viable end-to-end distributed modeling and simulation network. 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.

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Document Type: Project
Publication Date: Oct 01, 2013
Source ID: 675345_0101127F_7_3600_PB_2013

B-2 Modernization

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