Aviation Systems Advanced Development

Abstract

This project provides for the investigation, evaluation, demonstration, and integration of current and maturing technologies for Special Operations Forces (SOF)-unique aviation requirements. Timely application of SOF-unique technology is critical and necessary to meet requirements in such areas as: SOF specific avionics; low probability of intercept/low probability of detection (LPI/LPD), terrain following/terrain avoidance (TF/TA) radar; Defensive Countermeasures (DCM) which includes Electronic Warfare – Radio Frequency Countermeasures (EW-RFCM); Precision Strike Package (PSP) for AC-130W, AC-130H replacement aircraft, and other SOF platforms; digital terrain elevation data and electronic order of battle; digital maps; Enhanced Situational Awareness (ESA); near-real-time intelligence to include data fusion, threat detection and avoidance; navigation, target detection and identification technologies; digital broadcast capability; aerial refueling; and ISR payload technological improvements with size, weight, power and integration onto all SOF ISR platforms. • SOF C-130 Avionics Modifications: Provides for development necessary to maintain current SOF-unique capabilities for SOF C-130 aircraft. Includes the fit/function/interface replacement of the mission computers on the MC-130H and AC-130U aircraft due to obsolescence issues with the current AP-102 mission computer. • EC-130J Upgrades: Provides for integration of SOF-unique implementation of the C-130J block cycle upgrade as installed on the EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft and development of digital broadcast capabilities. • Enhanced Situational Awareness: Provides SOF C-130 fleet with near-real-time intelligence reporting to include data fusion, threat detection, identification, and avoidance. • EW-RFCM: Supports development, integration and test activities to provide EW capability against RF threats for SOF AC/MC-130J aircraft. The DCM suite is an integrated package of existing aircraft defensive systems at program start, situational awareness and threat response processing, which includes the RFCM system, and future defensive systems. RFCM program provides SOF-unique aircraft defensive capabilities required for SOF missions.. • PSP for SOF: Supports systems engineering, analysis, development, and enhancement of the baseline PSP for later integration and installation onto host MC-130J aircraft provided by the U.S. Air Force for the AC-130H, AC-130W and AC-130U recapitalization, as well as current SOF C-130s other SOF platforms. Missions for the AC-130 aircraft include, but are not limited to, Close Air Support (CAS), Air Interdiction, Armed Reconnaissance, Escort, and Force Protection - Integrated Base Defense. PSP is modular, scalable, and platform neutral. • PSP Large Caliber Gun: Supports systems engineering, analysis, development, integration, and test of a large caliber gun capability enhancement to the PSP installed on the AC-130 aircraft. • C-130 TF Radar System: Supports development, integration and test of a TF/TA radar and on-board processor to provide a multi-mode terrain following capability on MC-130J aircraft. • SOF Common (TF/TA (Silent Knight) Radar: Supports Engineering and Manufacturing Development, and developmental, qualification, and operational flight testing of a SOF common LPI/LPD radar to defeat advanced passive detection threats while maintaining ability to fly safe TF. This radar is targeted for use on all MH-47G Heavy Assault helicopters, MC-130 Combat Talon and CV-22 Tilt-Rotor aircraft.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2015
• Source ID: SF100_1160403BB_7_0400_PB_2015

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering

Technology Areas

• Microelectronics
• Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems