Mission computer and mission software upgrades being made to AWACS aircraft
Nov. 27, 2010
Posted by John McHaleHANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass., 27 Nov. 2010. Air Force officials are beginning a major electronics upgrade that to the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft that leverages commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment. The upgrade includes the mission computer and mission software to enhance tracking and combat identification capabilities, in addition to providing operators with a better picture of the battlespace. U.S. Air Force Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center will perform the upgrades and the Hanscom AFB the Electronic Systems Center (ESC) is the lead integrator."This modification replaces a mission computer system originally installed in the 1970s," says Maj. Brett Johnson, AWACS 40/45 Production chief. "The new system will have an open, network-based architecture, enabling future net-centric modifications."Most of the new equipment is COTS, so ESC designers are setting up a long-term plan to manage component obsolescence. "Anyone who has bought a laptop computer over the last few years knows how quickly technology can change," Johnson says. "We're replacing all of the onboard computer work stations with laptops over the next several years, one aircraft at a time. In a modification of this complexity, laptops are only one of many components we are carefully watching."To accomplish that, ESC awarded a contract to Boeing for $15 million in September to support active management of diminishing manufacturing sources and materiel shortages. The upgrade also allows for more sensor integration both on- and off-board the aircraft, improves the aircraft's data link infrastructure, improves machine-to-machine interaction and compresses the kill chain timeline, ESC officials say. "Think about technology thirty or forty years ago, or even five years ago, and compare it to the capabilities a smartphone has today," Johnson says. "We need to give our warfighters improved technological capabilities so they can do their jobs more efficiently and effectively." The upgrades are being performed at the same time as programmed depot maintenance to minimize aircraft operational downtime."Doing a modification of this size during PDM has never been done before," Johnson continues. "The scheduling, planning, and coordination has been a key piece to get us to this event."Seeing how successful the planning has been, other program offices are expressing interest in trying to do something similar for their modification efforts. In late October, ESC awarded a contract to Boeing for $65 million to procure and manage the thousands of parts needed and also provide on-site production and installation support throughout the upgrade. "ESC's role as lead integrator is to ensure all the pieces are in place so, before a wrench is turned, everything needed is there," Johnson adds. This first aircraft is the centerpiece of Low Rate Initial Production, he continued. Modifications to the first aircraft are scheduled for completion by September 2011. During LRIP, six aircraft are scheduled to be upgraded by 2014. "This first aircraft is critical," Johnson says. "It puts us on the path to our full rate production decision, which is planned for 2012." All the aircraft in the U.S. AWACS fleet are scheduled to be at full operational capability by 2020.
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