Mission Planning Systems (MPS) Modernization

Abstract

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, 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, E-8, F-15, F-22A, KC-10, KC-46, KC-135, RC-135, HH-60, 6th generation aircraft, 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 includes key initiatives on improving/adapting software lethality, survivability, readiness and affordability. Within the framework of Agile Software Cadence, development teams will provide appropriate software Sprints of development, innovation, and new/or improved capabilities in support of the OFP. Software releases provided within each increment will be utilized by OFP for risk reduction testing. The F-15 OFP will update on a bi-annual release to the field to provide new capabilities to the warfighter. The F-15 Unique Planning Component, segmented into code modules, will change from a JMPS process and transition to use micro-services. These changes position the MPE to migrate to the loosely coupled web-based services and open standard interfaces of the JMPS Open Mission Systems (JOMS). Multiple software development efforts driven by OFP updates for F-15 Suites 9 will continue as sustainment initiatives until the OFP Common Development Initiative (CDI), removing the nomenclature of OFP Suites is in place. F-15 MPE Agile software initiatives will include, but not limited to, 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). Software enhancements to synthetic aperture radar planning tools (SAR-PT), global area reference tools, radar modernization updates (e.g. combat identification, radar planning tool enhancements), active warning survivability system(s), Advanced Dual Core Process II (ADCP- II) computer as well as Digital Transfer Device/Modules (DTD/DTM) modernized in support of operational capabilities to the F-15 OFP. The overall end state is a common OFP and one MPE baseline that supports all F-15 models -C, D, E, & EX. The F-15 Modernization program will develop micro services 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 plus future OFP releases. These new capabilities improve the F-22's lethality, survivability and tactical communications for the mission with sensor enhancements and updates to Link-16 Transmit, Mode 5 IFF Transmit and Interrogate and various classified projects. The F-22 MPE implements agile software development modernization moving from JMPS to JOMS development. 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 appropriate test jets. F-22 MPE team collaborating alongside USN's and F-35 Joint Program Office's (JPO) mission planning teams to deliver Next-Generation Open Mission System (NOMS) capabilities for Strike platforms. Mission Planning is working on pathfinder/exploratory OFP work that aims to provide pre-flight, dynamic re-planning and reduce the logistics footprint. 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. Agile software initiatives incorporated to improve software survivability, lethality, and readiness in support of the B-1 OFP and the warfighter. Additionally, B-1 MPE will add improved processing capability 64/128-bit environment, replace the mass storage unit where pre-recorded map and mission data is stored and develop micro services to integrate JOMS into the B-1 MPE. 2) MAF MPS Modernization: efforts further the development of the MPS Agile Global Mobility and Special Mission (GMSM) Program. Initiated as an ACAT III program via ADM in August 2022, the GMSM program combines the MAF and SMACC modernization efforts. The shift to combining the modernization efforts and utilizing common components: 1) enables agile software deliverables; 2) minimizes platform schedule constraints; and 3) reduces platform dependencies within the operational flight program. a. For Air Mobility Command, the effort will provide new and improved mission planning capability to support C-17, C-130H, C-130J, C-5, KC-135, KC-10 and KC-46 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. b. For Air Combat Command, efforts related to Special Mission Air Combat Command (SMACC) include development, testing, and fielding of MP software for the E-3, E-8, RC-135 and EC-130. Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). These efforts provide 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. 3) MPS Core Mission Planning (CMP) represents the basic core functions of the JMPS Software developed as microservices in a Common Development Environment (CDE) and is the core modernization effort utilizing the JOMS architecture to continuously develop and deploy core mission capabilities. In FY24, the program office will further develop CMP scope following the Software Acquisition and Practices (SWP) Acquisition Pathway. CMP develops and delivers common mission planning capabilities through NOMS infrastructure via incremental JOMS capability releases to Air Force aircraft platforms. 4) 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.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2024
• Source ID: 675380_0208006F_7_3600_PB_2024

Tags

Fields of Study

• Computer science

Readers

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

Technology Areas

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