Airborne command and control capability

Citation

(1999), "Airborne command and control capability", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1999.12771fad.006

Airborne command and control capability

Keywords Racal, RAF, Contol, Military, Aircraft

The RAF's E-3D Sentry AEW/AWACS aircraft is to receive a major enhancement to its operational capability in supporting RAF and NATO offensive and defensive aircraft. Under'an urgent operational requirement, Racal is to provide a new airborne command and control capability, keeping the crew up to date with the latest tactical changes.

Until now, air tasking order (ATO) and airspace co-ordination order (ACO) messages were only available to a Sentry crew prior to the mission, meaning those key elements of the tactical air picture would not be available to the E-3D once airborne. Using Racal's Lightweight Mission Support System in the airborne role, however, will enable large volumes of information including ATO and ACO messages to be passed in-flight to the E-3D crews. The AMSS (Airborne Mission Support System) will provide a timely means of receiving and transmitting mission-critical data that will be automatically processed onboard the aircraft into easily useable formats for use by the tactical crew.

The architecture of the AMSS for E-3D operations includes an MSS ground station with an HF radio system linked directly to the AMSS onboard the E-3D. Encryption and decryption systems maximise security and the use of a tailored COTS modem ensures an optimum performance. The airborne element comprises an AMSS linked through the encryption device to the modem and BF radio. Mission-critical data may be viewed on the AMSS screen or printed for dissemination to the tactical crew.

Details available from Racal Defence Electronics Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1344 388065.