UNCLASSIFIED
PE 0305207F: Manned Reconnaissance Systems
UNCLASSIFIED
Air Force Page 1 of 7 R-1 Line #268
Exhibit R-2, RDT&E Budget Item Justification: PB2021Air Force
Date: February 2020
Appropriation/Budget Activity
3600: Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Air Force / BA 7:
Operational Systems Development
R-1 Program Element (Number/Name)
PE 0305207F / Manned Reconnaissance Systems
COST ($ in Millions)
Prior
Years FY 2019 FY 2020
FY 2021
Base
FY 2021
OCO
FY 2021
Total FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Cost To
Complete
Total
Cost
Total Program Element
- 14.223 11.787 14.711 0.000 14.711 15.021 15.291 15.564 15.851 Continuing Continuing
674754: RC-135 Systems
- 14.223 11.787 14.711 0.000 14.711 15.021 15.291 15.564 15.851 Continuing Continuing
Quantity of RDT&E Articles - - - - - - - - - -
A. Mission Description and Budget Item Justification
RC-135 operational systems development and enhancement activities support design studies, engineering analysis, non-recurring engineering and other efforts
associated with the integration and modification of the RC-135 programs and their specialized mission systems, both air and ground. Associated ground systems
include RIVET JOINT Ground Data Processing Systems (GDPS), Distributed Mission Shelters (DMS), Mission Crew Training Systems (MCTS), Airborne Capabilities
Extension System (ACES), and the Operational Flight Trainers (OFT, a.k.a. flight deck simulators). Extensive utilization of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) based
solutions allows rapid fielding of needed capabilities through upgrades and supports Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS)/Vanishing Vendor Items (VVI) logistics
mitigation efforts. The results of these efforts provide for preliminary assessments of technical feasibility, operability, or military utility as well as specific engineering
implementations for integration into the various systems baseline configurations.
These activities are managed by the 645th Aeronautical Systems Group (645 AESG). The 645 AESG (a.k.a. BIG SAFARI) manages engineering, ground and support
systems modifications, integration, flight testing, product assurance, acceptance testing, logistics, and training activities.
Aircraft, sensor systems, and associated ground support system engineering planned for FY 2021 budget includes developmental planning, execution and support
for the RC-135V/W RIVET JOINT Baselines 13 and 14 (BL-13 and BL-14), the RC-135U COMBAT SENT Baseline 6 (BL-6), and the RC-135S COBRA BALL BL-6
and BL-7 configurations. The world-wide challenge of keeping pace against technologically agile targets used by both nation and non-nation-state adversaries and the
rapid evolution of COTS technologies demands a responsive and adaptive acquisition strategy for fielding incremental spiral upgrades and baseline capabilities that
are logistically supportable at all locations. The 645 AESG uses an incremental baseline strategy to mitigate risk, find affordable solutions and field needed capabilities
on the aircraft and associated ground support and training systems. Obsolescence and DMS/VVI logistical concerns are addressed with each baseline upgrade and
assessed annually as part of the fleet sustainment responsibilities.
RIVET JOINT BL-13 upgrades consist of, but are not limited to, providing a continuous recording capability, Super Wideband Compressive Receiver (SWCR) and
Nyquist Folding Receiver (NYFR), CNS/ATM avionics upgrades such as new autopilot, automated data system-broadcast (ADS-B) and Mode 5 identify friendly or foe
(IFF) systems, and family of beyond-line-of-sight terminals (FAB-T) advanced extremely high frequency (AEHF) communications suite.
COMBAT SENT BL-6 developmental enhancements consist of, but are not limited to, steerable beams for the COMINT sub-system, improved SWCR capability
and specific emitter identification (SEI) electronic intelligence (ELINT) sub- system, Primary Sensor Measurement System (PRISMS) merge with manual precision
collections, millimeter wave and low band capabilities with PRISMS, digitizing antennas, direction finding of High Frequency signals and expanded streaming audio
services and 360 degree aircraft tracking system. BL-6 RDT&E is funded via PE 0305206G.
Volume 3b - 333
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PE 0305207F: Manned Reconnaissance Systems
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Air Force Page 2 of 7 R-1 Line #268
Exhibit R-2, RDT&E Budget Item Justification: PB2021Air Force
Date: February 2020
Appropriation/Budget Activity
3600: Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Air Force / BA 7:
Operational Systems Development
R-1 Program Element (Number/Name)
PE 0305207F / Manned Reconnaissance Systems
COBRA BALL BL-6 developmental enhancements consist of, but are not limited to, high gain S-Band antenna, large format Sapphire windows, RJ BL-13 COMINT
capability, foreign instrumentation signals intelligence (FISINT) analog to digital receiver, and Brave version of the digital cockpit avionics systems to continue CNS/ATM
compliance initiatives. BL-6 RDT&E is funded via PE 0301314F.
Ground Systems Baseline upgrades add the capabilities found in the corresponding RIVET JOINT Baseline upgrades (i.e., RIVET JOINT BL-12 corresponds to Ground
System BL-12, RIVET JOINT BL-13 corresponds to Ground System BL-14, RIVET JOINT BL-15 corresponds to Ground System BL-15) to the Ground Systems to
ensure crews receive training on the appropriate mission system configurations.
Activities also include studies and analysis to support both current program planning and execution and future program planning.
This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver RC-135 capabilities. The use of such program funds would
be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605831F.
This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been
fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.
B. Program Change Summary ($ in Millions)
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 Base FY 2021 OCO FY 2021 Total
Previous President's Budget 14.223 11.787 14.738 0.000 14.738
Current President's Budget 14.223 11.787 14.711 0.000 14.711
Total Adjustments 0.000 0.000 -0.027 0.000 -0.027
• Congressional General Reductions 0.000 0.000
• Congressional Directed Reductions 0.000 0.000
• Congressional Rescissions 0.000 0.000
• Congressional Adds 0.000 0.000
• Congressional Directed Transfers 0.000 0.000
• Reprogrammings 0.000 0.000
• SBIR/STTR Transfer 0.000 0.000
• Other Adjustments 0.000 0.000 -0.027 0.000 -0.027
C. Accomplishments/Planned Programs ($ in Millions)
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Title: Manned Reconnaissance Systems
Description: Non-recurring engineering (NRE) for Baseline system developments and enhancements to improve mission
capabilities of the RIVET JOINT BL-14 and BL-15, COMBAT SENT BL-6, COBRA BALL BL-7, and Ground Systems BL-13 and
BL-14.
14.223 11.787 14.711
Volume 3b - 334
UNCLASSIFIED
PE 0305207F: Manned Reconnaissance Systems
UNCLASSIFIED
Air Force Page 3 of 7 R-1 Line #268
Exhibit R-2, RDT&E Budget Item Justification: PB2021Air Force
Date: February 2020
Appropriation/Budget Activity
3600: Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Air Force / BA 7:
Operational Systems Development
R-1 Program Element (Number/Name)
PE 0305207F / Manned Reconnaissance Systems
C. Accomplishments/Planned Programs ($ in Millions)
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
FY 2020 Plans:
Initiated contracts to:
• Continue Engineering Analysis
• Continue NRE and other efforts associated with the integration and modification of the RC-135 primary mission equipment
• Continue Specialized Mission Systems development for the collection of both air and ground signals.
FY 2021 Plans:
Will initiate contracts to:
• Continue Engineering Analysis
• Continue NRE and other efforts associated with the integration and modification of the RC-135 primary mission equipment
• Continue Specialized Mission Systems development for the collection of both air and ground signals.
FY 2020 to FY 2021 Increase/Decrease Statement:
Funding increased due to FY20 prioritization reduction being corrected in FY21 to planned programmed levels.
Accomplishments/Planned Programs Subtotals
14.223 11.787 14.711
D. Other Program Funding Summary ($ in Millions)
Line Item FY 2019 FY 2020
FY 2021
Base
FY 2021
OCO
FY 2021
Total FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
Cost To
Complete Total Cost
• APAF 05 Line Item
DARP01: RC-135
394.532 227.673 191.332 - 191.332 211.736 210.502 85.720 232.123 Continuing Continuing
• APAF 06 Line Item DARP01:
Initial Spares/Repair Parts
49.464 83.572 51.282 - 51.282 52.328 53.262 24.699 25.150 Continuing Continuing
• APAF 07 Line Item
DARP01: Aircraft Support
Equipment & Facilities
0.000 0.000 0.000 - 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 Continuing Continuing
• OPAF 04 Line Item
846070: DARP RC-135
26.262 80.654 27.663 - 27.663 27.658 28.142 28.647 29.172 Continuing Continuing
• RDTE 07 PE 0304260F:
Airborne SIGINT Enterprise
50.577 33.396 45.066 - 45.066 45.954 46.725 47.507 48.327 Continuing Continuing
Remarks
Volume 3b - 335
UNCLASSIFIED
PE 0305207F: Manned Reconnaissance Systems
UNCLASSIFIED
Air Force Page 4 of 7 R-1 Line #268
Exhibit R-2, RDT&E Budget Item Justification: PB2021Air Force
Date: February 2020
Appropriation/Budget Activity
3600: Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Air Force / BA 7:
Operational Systems Development
R-1 Program Element (Number/Name)
PE 0305207F / Manned Reconnaissance Systems
E. Acquisition Strategy
The RC-135 RIVET JOINT, COBRA BALL, and COMBAT SENT configured aircraft are maintained and kept technologically relevant through an incremental baseline
upgrade acquisition strategy. Technology upgrades and Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) developments are acquired through the 645 AESG in accordance with the
BIG SAFARI Program Management Directive (PMD) and Class Justification and Approval (J&A) document for acquisition of supplies and services using an "other than
full and open competition" criteria. The supplies and services procured by 645 AESG satisfy National Security requirements (FAR 6.302-6) through the use of their
standing J&A or address Unusual and Compelling Urgency requirements (FAR 6.302-2) through an individually prepared J&A supported by the BIG SAFARI Life Cycle
Management Plan (LCMP) across the full spectrum of system life cycle management from developmental engineering to system retirement ("cradle to grave") support.
Due to the ever changing threat and rapidly evolving electromagnetic combat environment encountered during our prolonged commitment to Overseas Contingency
Operations (OCO), the acquisition program manager has the authority to redirect funding as necessary to meet current stated and emerging Combatant Command
(CCMD) and/or Intelligence Community (IC) requirements to better meet the war fighting objectives.
Volume 3b - 336
UNCLASSIFIED
PE 0305207F: Manned Reconnaissance Systems
UNCLASSIFIED
Air Force Page 5 of 7 R-1 Line #268
Exhibit R-3, RDT&E Project Cost Analysis: PB2021Air Force
Date: February 2020
Appropriation/Budget Activity
3600 / 7
R-1 Program Element (Number/Name)
PE 0305207F / Manned Reconnaissance
Systems
Project (Number/Name)
674754 / RC-135 Systems
Product Development ($ in Millions)
FY 2019 FY 2020
FY 2021
Base
FY 2021
OCO
FY 2021
Total
Cost Category Item
Contract
Method
& Type
Performing
Activity & Location
Prior
Years Cost
Award
Date Cost
Award
Date Cost
Award
Date Cost
Award
Date Cost
Cost To
Complete
Total
Cost
Target
Value of
Contract
Product Development SS/CPAF Not specified. : TBD - - - - - - Continuing Continuing -
Operational Systems
Development
SS/
Various
L3Harris
Technologies :
Greenville, TX
- 14.223 Dec 2018 11.787 Dec 2019 14.711 Dec 2020 - 14.711 Continuing Continuing -
Subtotal
- 14.223 11.787 14.711 - 14.711 Continuing Continuing N/A
Remarks
All activity is based around the Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) airframe and missions systems schedule which includes multiple contracts and organizations with
overlapping and continuous periods of performance. Due to the rapidly changing threat environment encountered during our prolonged commitment to Overseas Contingency
Operations (OCO), the acquisition program manager has the authority to redirect funding as necessary to meet current stated and emerging Combatant Command (CCMD)
and/or Intelligence Community (IC) requirements.
Prior
Years FY 2019 FY 2020
FY 2021
Base
FY 2021
OCO
FY 2021
Total
Cost To
Complete
Total
Cost
Target
Value of
Contract
Project Cost Totals
- 14.223 11.787 14.711 - 14.711 Continuing Continuing N/A
Remarks
Volume 3b - 337
UNCLASSIFIED
PE 0305207F: Manned Reconnaissance Systems
UNCLASSIFIED
Air Force Page 6 of 7 R-1 Line #268
Exhibit R-4, RDT&E Schedule Profile: PB2021Air Force
Date: February 2020
Appropriation/Budget Activity
3600 / 7
R-1 Program Element (Number/Name)
PE 0305207F / Manned Reconnaissance
Systems
Project (Number/Name)
674754 / RC-135 Systems
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022 FY 2023 FY 2024 FY 2025
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Baseline Spiral Development
RIVET JOINT Baseline 12 Integration, Test
and Fielding
RIVET JOINT Baseline 13 Integration, Test
and Fielding
RIVET JOINT Baseline 14 Development
RIVET JOINT Baseline 14 Integration, Test
and Fielding
RIVET JOINT Baseline 15 Development
RIVET JOINT Baseline 15 Integration, Test
and Fielding
COMBAT SENT Baseline 6 Development
COMBAT SENT Baseline 6 Integration, Test
and Fielding
COBRA BALL Baseline 6 Integration, Test
and Fielding
COBRA BALL Baseline 7 Development
COBRA BALL Baseline 7 Integration, Test
and Fielding
Ground Systems Baseline 13 Development,
Integration, Test and Fielding
Ground Systems Baseline 14 Development,
Integration, Test and Fielding
Ground Systems Baseline 15 Development,
Integration, Test and Fielding
Volume 3b - 338
UNCLASSIFIED
PE 0305207F: Manned Reconnaissance Systems
UNCLASSIFIED
Air Force Page 7 of 7 R-1 Line #268
Exhibit R-4A, RDT&E Schedule Details: PB2021Air Force
Date: February 2020
Appropriation/Budget Activity
3600 / 7
R-1 Program Element (Number/Name)
PE 0305207F / Manned Reconnaissance
Systems
Project (Number/Name)
674754 / RC-135 Systems
Schedule Details
Start End
Events by Sub Project Quarter Year Quarter Year
Baseline Spiral Development
RIVET JOINT Baseline 12 Integration, Test and Fielding 1 2019 2 2020
RIVET JOINT Baseline 13 Integration, Test and Fielding 1 2019 2 2023
RIVET JOINT Baseline 14 Development 1 2020 2 2022
RIVET JOINT Baseline 14 Integration, Test and Fielding 2 2022 4 2025
RIVET JOINT Baseline 15 Development 4 2021 4 2023
RIVET JOINT Baseline 15 Integration, Test and Fielding 4 2023 4 2025
COMBAT SENT Baseline 6 Development 1 2019 2 2020
COMBAT SENT Baseline 6 Integration, Test and Fielding 2 2020 4 2023
COBRA BALL Baseline 6 Integration, Test and Fielding 1 2019 3 2020
COBRA BALL Baseline 7 Development 1 2019 3 2020
COBRA BALL Baseline 7 Integration, Test and Fielding 3 2020 4 2023
Ground Systems Baseline 13 Development, Integration, Test and Fielding 1 2019 4 2020
Ground Systems Baseline 14 Development, Integration, Test and Fielding 2 2022 4 2023
Ground Systems Baseline 15 Development, Integration, Test and Fielding 3 2023 4 2025
Note
Ground systems include the RIVET JOINT Mission Crew Training Systems (MCTS), Ground Data Processing System (GDPS), Modular Processing System (MPS),
Airborne Capabilities Extension Systems (ACES) and Operational Flight Trainers (OFT). Baseline upgrades are determined by the aircraft programmed depot
maintenance schedule. Hardware, firmware or software enhancements to the ground systems are set up to match the aircraft baseline upgrades. Typically, baseline
configuration changes and enhancements are incorporated first into the MCTSs and OFTs, and then integrated into GDPS, MPS, and ACES. Delivery of the
enhancements to the MCTSs and OFTs are planned to arrive concurrently, if not slightly prior, to the delivery of the first aircraft with an upgraded cockpit or mission
system in a given baseline configuration to allow for aircrew and ground personnel training and qualification.
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