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 and training 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. • 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 (ESA): 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. Crew systems integration efforts include modifications to aircraft controls and displays to automate TF/TA flight and reduce pilot, copilot and Combat Systems Officer workload during missions. , previously performed by five aircrew members on legacy C-130 tankers and penetrators. • SOF Common TF/TA (Silent Knight) Radar: Supports Engineering and Manufacturing Development, qualification, and operational flight testing of a SOF common TF/TA 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, MH-60M medium assault helicopters, MC-130J Commando II and CV-22B Osprey aircraft. • EC-130J Commando Solo Development, integration and testing of digital broadcast capabilities on the EC-130J Commando Solo aircraft. • Sensor Technology: Development, integration, and testing of sensor miniaturization effort to place large ISR platform capability, such as Group 4-5 unmanned aerial systems (UASs) into various smaller ISR platforms such as Group 2-3 UASs.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2016
Source ID
SF100_1160403BB_7_0400_PB_2016

Tags

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems

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