Mission Planning Systems (MPS) Modernization

Abstract

Mission planning involves the creation of a flight plan based on multiple inputs including threats, targets, terrain, weather, aircraft performance capability, and configuration. Mission Planning 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 requirements, 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; Download pertinent flight information to on-board aircraft avionics; And conduct dynamic/in-flight re-planning as applicable. The MPS Modernization project, following a multi-year strategic roadmap to migrate mission planning capabilities as discussed above into a services-based open architecture, focuses on delivering JMPS Open Mission Systems (JOMS) environment for mission planning supporting Combat Air Forces (CAF) and Mobility Air Forces (MAF), which includes the development, test and support of Mission Planning Environments (MPEs) to support combat and mobility aircraft, including the B-1, C-5, C-17, C-130, HC-130, EC-130, E-3 DRAGON, E-3/E-8, F-15, F-22A, KC-10, KC-46, KC-135, RC-135, HH-60 other platforms, as well as training aircraft, Framework (FW) and all Common Component (CCs) software tools for mission requirements. Activities also include studies and analysis to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning. MPS Modernization efforts that support modernizing the system architecture to JOMS are as follows: 1) CAF MPS Modernization: These development efforts modernize CAF Mission Planning Environments (MPEs). The modernization effort will provide new and improved mission planning capability for individual Operational Flight Program (OFP) requirements, such as new weapons, avionics upgrades, communications systems, etc. The OFPs requiring MPE updates under the CAF modernization effort include, but are not limited to, B-1 (Sustainment Blocks 17b, 17c, 18 and 19), F-15 (Suites 9.1, 9.1RR (Re-Release) for Data Transfer Module II (DTMII), 9.2, 10.x/Continuous Development & Integration (CD&I)) and F-22 update Release 3 through 5. CAF modernization also includes updates to mission planning capabilities supporting associated weapons including, but not limited to, Small Diameter Bomb (SDB-II), Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) and the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). A key piece of the CAF modernization effort involves interfacing between the CAF platforms and the weapons using tools such as, but not limited to, Universal Armament Interface (UAI) and Mission Planning Certification Tool (MPCT). CAF modernization will address required improvements to CAF related JMPS MPE CCs, including Weapon Planning Software (WPS), Electronic Warfare CC (EWCC), GPS Crypto (including GPS M-code), Weather CC, etc. Finally, CAF modernization also includes development of JOMS' Strike Mission Planning capabilities in collaboration with the Navy's Mission Planning Program Office. CAF MPE Modernization includes, but is not limited to, the following platform efforts: a. F-15 Modernization Phase II & III: The F-15 Modernization program consists of multiple software development efforts driven by OFP updates for F-15 Suites 9.19.2, 10.x/CD&I, including the F-15 EX. Suite 9 MPE capabilities include, but are not limited to, Data Transfer Device (DTD) improvements, updates for new features in weapons such as Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Small Diameter Bomb I and II (SDB I and II), AIM-9X, AIM-120D, and Network Enable Weapon support elements (e.g. key handling, weapon data link and Link 16). It will also include enhancements to the synthetic aperture radar planning tool (SAR-PT) and the global area reference tool as well as radar modernization updates (e.g. combat identification, radar planning tool enhancements) and a variety of updates and enhancements for weapons and aircraft systems to include, but are not limited to, Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS), a new Advanced Dual Core Process II (ADCP-II) computer as well as Digital Transfer Device/Modules (DTD/DTM) modernization. The integration of CD&I MPE capabilities into the F-15 OFP has not yet been scheduled by the OFP. The F-15 EX MPE will be created from the USAF and Qatar baselines. The overall end state is a common OFP and one MPE baseline that supports all F-15 models -C, D, E &EX. Finally, the F-15 Modernization program will begin to develop microservices to integrate JOMS into the F-15 MPE. b. F-22 Modernization Phase II: The F-22 Modernization program consists of multiple software development efforts driven by OFP updates for Releases 3 through 5 as identified by ACC and the operational user. These new capabilities include sensor enhancements and updates to Link-16 Transmit, SP-1 and Mode 5 IFF Transmit and Interrogate. The F-22 contract transitioned to the Strike Agile contract and implements SAFe software development. F-22 Modernization program established a team under the Strike ART and began JOMS development. First JOMS efforts include creating a common baseline MPE/UPC that any platform can use and a blended MPE product that integrates initial JOMS capabilities into JMPS and generates mission data files in a test jet in FY23. c. B-1 Modernization Phase I: The B-1 Modernization program consists of multiple software development efforts driven by OFP updates for Sustainment Blocks 17b, 17c, 8 and 19. It will incrementally deliver the B-1 MPE to increase aircraft mission capabilities, including JASSM and LRASM weapon updates, and incorporate crypto modernization for Link-16 network enabled weapons. Additionally, B-1 MPE will complete migration to a native 64-bit environment, replace the mass storage unit where pre-recorded map and mission data is stored and begin to develop microservices to integrate JOMS into the B-1 MPE. 2) MAF MPS Modernization: These development efforts modernize MAF MPEs for all Air Mobility Command platforms. The modernization effort will provide new and improved mission planning capability to support Aircraft individual Operational Flight Programs (OFP), Global C2, and AMC fuel efficiency requirements incorporating Mobility Air Forces Automated Flight Planning Service into the deployed squadron mission planning suite. It includes, but is not limited to, enhanced capabilities to accommodate avionics upgrades, precision airdrop improvements for increased combat battlefield airdrop accuracy, improved communications systems, interfaces with command and control systems, and improved weather data ingestion/utilization for various MAF platforms. Development efforts also include, but are not limited to, integrating improvements to MAF related CCs. Examples of these CCs include, but are not limited to, MAF tools, such as Assault Zone CC and the Air Refueling Tool (ART) CC, Consolidated Airdrop Tool (CAT), and the Weather CC. 3) The SMACC Modernization Program includes development, testing, and fielding of MP software for the E-3 DRAGON, E-3/E-8, RC-135 and EC-130. Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) provides improved stability performance over the legacy mission planning system through enhanced architecture and baseline development, such as the improved transfer of mission data from the unique planning component to the HC-130J avionics suite and the 12 critical Digital Aeronautical Flight Information Files to integrate onto the smart multifunction color display for the HH-60G, resulting in mature JMPS mission planning environment for both CSAR platforms. 4) In FY20, MPS Framework was established as an independent ACAT III Program of Record (PoR). The funding for MPS Framework has historically been accomplished through an allocation to the platform budgets in Mission Planning. The Program office has segregated MPS Framework for future oversight. MPS Framework initiated a one year agile pathfinder effort that represents the basic core functions of the JMPS Software developed as microservices in a Common Development Environment (CDE). MPS Framework has been renamed to Core Mission Planning (CMP) and will continue core modernization efforts utilizing the JOMS architecture to continuously develop and deploy core mission capabilities. Test, Training, and Certification: Continues all MPS-related integration, test, and certification activities for all CAF and MAF platforms. Program Support: Continues all program office management operations and support activities to ensure the timely development, testing, and delivery of mission planning systems to the warfighter. 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, 2023
• Source ID: 675380_0208006F_7_3600_PB_2023

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics
• Space