Combat Air Forces (CAF) 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 focuses on developing mission planning systems for the Combat Air Forces (CAF). It will also modernize the Mission Planning Systems (MPS) software required for CAF mission planning, including versions required to keep pace with upgrades to the A-10, B-1B, F-15, F-16, and F-22A aircraft as well as common components such as the Precision Guided Munitions Planning System (PGMPS) and the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). Mission Planning CAF increments and modernization efforts are as follows: a. MPS Increment IV Development – This efforts continues update-development activities for platforms that previously transitioned to MPS (e.g. F-15, F-16, A-10, B-1B, and F-22A) to provide capabilities IAW the Increment IV Capability Development Document (CDD). In addition, it also upgrades several Common Components that are utilized on a variety of CAF platforms. b. CAF MPE Modernization - Will modernize CAF Mission Planning Environments (MPEs) that were developed and deployed in Increments II-IV. 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 new weapons, avionics upgrades, communication systems, etc...) for the various affected 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. 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: 675380_0208006F_7_3600_PB_2012

Tags

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• Aerospace Engineering