Weapons Range Support Equipment

The Weapons Range Support Equipment program is a critical line item within the Navy's Other Procurement budget, specifically under Aviation Support Equipment. Its primary goal is to provide and modernize the infrastructure, instrumentation, and systems necessary for Navy Fleet Training Ranges (FTRs), which are essential for maintaining fleet combat readiness. The program encompasses a wide array of procurement activities, including electronic warfare systems, simulators, range computer systems, surveillance systems, aerial target support equipment, and the integration of advanced training technologies such as Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training capabilities.

SRAM - Systems Replacement and Modernization focuses on replacing and upgrading obsolete or unmaintainable range equipment across all Naval training ranges. The objective is to ensure that training ranges remain efficient and capable of supporting evolving fleet training requirements. Procurements under SRAM include electronic warfare systems, weapons scoring systems, secure communications, ocean acoustical equipment, fiber optic upgrades, and security-related video equipment. These investments are prioritized annually to address the most urgent modernization needs and to support fleet training wholeness.

Ocean Systems funds the multi-year procurement and upgrade of fixed underwater training ranges, such as those at Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii and the Southern California Offshore Anti-Submarine Warfare Range. These instrumented undersea ranges provide precise tracking and position information for undersea warfare platforms, weapons, and targets, supporting both individual and large-scale fleet training exercises. Upgrades include cybersecurity enhancements, improved range accuracy, and splash detection capabilities. The program also supports the refurbishment and expansion of ranges like Barking Sands Tactical Underwater Range and the West Coast Undersea Warfare Training Ranges.

Tactical Combat Training System Increment II is a significant component of this line item, with several sub-elements. The Common Ground Subsystem and Remote Range Unit provide fixed and deployable instrumentation for exercise scenario transmission, participant tracking, and real-time feedback. The Shipboard Ground Subsystem extends capability to aircraft carriers operating outside the range of shore-based infrastructure. Engineering Change Proposals ensure systems remain cybersecurity compliant and interoperable with evolving range infrastructure. Funding supports the procurement of additional units for key training ranges, as well as one shipboard unit for maritime open ocean training.

Electronic Warfare Threat Presentation is aimed at replicating realistic adversary environments for training by simulating enemy radar, missile, and electronic attack systems. This capability is essential for preparing Navy personnel to operate in contested electromagnetic environments. Procurements include Electronic Attack pods, Modular Remote Threat Emitter Systems, and technology refreshes to maintain cyber certifications and connectivity with the Navy Enterprise Tactical Training Network.

Moving Land Target Hardware and Target Threat Simulation Program provide realistic ground and aerial target systems for aircrew training in close air support, target identification, and threat engagement. Moving Land Targets are designed to be threat-representative, with features such as infrared reactivity and realistic radar signatures. Engineering Change Proposals ensure hardware and software remain current with evolving training requirements and cybersecurity standards. The Target Threat Simulation Program enhances aerial and surface targets with electronic payloads to simulate adversary radio frequency emissions and electronic attacks.

LVC Range Integration supports the integration of live, virtual, and constructive training environments across multiple range sites. The objective is to enable secure, networked, and persistent training that connects live aircraft with virtual and constructive assets, supporting distributed mission training and multi-domain integration. Funding provides for network and communication upgrades at East and West Coast Tactical Training Ranges, aligning with fleet priorities for advanced integrated training.