SALT LAKE CITY – A KC-135 piloted by Airmen from the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserves passed an important integration and modernization milestone during a recent flight.
The total force crew tested for any electromagnetic spectrum interference between the aircraft's navigation system and tactical data links (TDL) to highlight the KC-135's readiness to serve a bigger role in the Air Force's innovative Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) architecture.
The total force team – members from the 151st and the 927th Air Refueling Wings (ARW) of the Utah National Guard and MacDill AFB – conducted tests to confirm there was no interference between the LINK-16 radio system and the Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) system.
The LINK-16 is a tactical data link system used by most fighter jets and command and control platforms for encrypted data communication in combat environments. The TACAN system is the range and bearing navigation source used for instrument flight. These two platforms work on the same frequency. They mustn't interfere with each other to ensure the reliability of the communication and navigation sources.
"Electromagnetic interference would give erroneous navigation indication to the crew that could potentially draw the aircraft off its required course," said Maj. Travis Posey, 927 ARW Weapons and Tactics Flight commander, and a KC-135 pilot. "We want our aircraft to operate where they are expected and not crash into other aircraft, obstacles, or terrain."
Satellite communications enable JREAP-A protocol to communicate with Command and Control (C2) agencies, which is used in all forms of operation to combat and combat support. Enabling encrypted C2 beyond the line of sight ensures continuity of operations and enables the operating picture to be understood even when aircraft are not in line-of-sight communication. This reduces the fog and friction of operations.
"We did not know what the actual range was of this system due to antenna placement, radio capabilities, and ground station placement," Posey said. "We exceeded our expectations and can achieve TDL communications beyond most voice radio communications we currently have between our aircraft and base command posts."
According to a recent Air Force white paper, the ABMS initiative is designed to generate decision superiority by delivering relevant information and capabilities to warfighters and operators at all echelons. While not a single machine, sensor, or aircraft, the ABMS's system of systems – or warfighting ecosystem - will streamline the many pathways for data to move around the globe. ABMS promises to shorten the data loop from days and hours to minutes and seconds through tactical edge communication nodes and advanced beyond-line-of-sight technologies.
Aerial refueling aircraft like the KC-135 show promise as one of the critical nodes in the ABMS system. With 42% of Total Force KC-135s in the ANG and ANG KC-135s flying 46% of the day-to-day aerial refueling missions in support of TRANSCOM in fiscal 2020, establishing their ABMS bona fides could not come at a better time.