Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)

The Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) program, managed by the Air Force, focuses on enhancing the capabilities of its E-3 aircraft. These aircraft are vital for Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2), providing real-time surveillance and early warning of enemy actions across all altitudes and weather conditions. The program involves detecting, locating, and identifying electronic emitters while tracking airborne or maritime threats. AWACS supports joint, allied, and coalition operations, as well as humanitarian relief and homeland defense missions.

A key objective within the AWACS program is the E-3 Training, Support, and Infrastructure (TSI) initiative. This effort maintains lab operations and supports modernization efforts across the AWACS enterprise. TSI manages the Development Test and Evaluation (DT&E) infrastructure for earlier versions of AWACS aircraft. It also oversees Foreign Military Sales (FMS) projects for countries such as France, Saudi Arabia, and Japan by providing necessary support on a maintenance fee basis. Additionally, TSI ensures that the AWACS Avionics Integration Laboratory remains integrated with the Block 40/45 Functional Group configured lab.

Another significant component is the Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C2ISR) initiative. This effort investigates future capabilities of the AWACS weapon system to ensure seamless integration with joint and coalition forces in a net-centric environment. C2ISR supports pre-systems acquisition activities like material solution analysis and technology development. It also involves developing an E-3 Modernization & Sustainment Roadmap to address user capability needs while evaluating alternative material solutions for operational effectiveness.

The Communication Network Upgrade (CNU) is another critical objective within the AWACS program. This upgrade aims to deliver a Link 16 capability that offers high-jam-resistance and high-speed crypto-secure connectivity across various military platforms. The CNU addresses sustainability issues associated with older terminals by introducing enhancements like Crypto Modifications (CM) and Frequency Remapping (FR). Additionally, it prepares for future growth in Next Gen Tactical Data Link capabilities through phased delivery of Minimum Viable Products focused on advanced communications throughput via ethernet connections.