CONECT: B-52H Receiving a Communications Upgrade
Oct 11, 2010 14:30 EDT
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The B-52 Stratofortress remains the mainstay of the U.S. strategic bomber force, and in-theater combat communications improvements may allow it to make better use of advanced weapons like the JDAM. The B-52H, which went into service in 1961, is the only remaining B-52 model in use by the USAF. It flies slightly faster than a 767, operating at high subsonic speeds and altitudes up to 50,000 feet, and carrying either nuclear or precision-guided conventional weapons. On-going modifications have added global positioning system compatibility for the aircraft and weapons, targeting pods like the LITENING, heavy stores adapter beams for carrying 2,000 pound munitions, and an array of advanced weapons.
Under the B-52 combat network communications technology (CONECT) program, the B-52H fleet will receive will new computers and color displays, key datalinks, an advanced wideband satellite terminal, and a series of tie-ins to existing USAF systems that will allow them to receive new missions, or even re-target weapons during flight. The total development contract could run to $500 million, and CONECT could roll out to the entire 76-plane B-52H future fleet…
Contracts & Key Events
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Dec 12/11: Boeing announces that flight testing is done for B-52 CONECT. That opens the way to a Milestone C/ Low Rate Initial Production decision, expected in mid-2012.
Aug 3/11: Boeing successfully completes a 6-hour evaluation flight of the B-52 CONECT interphone system, which enables crew members to communicate with one another, other aircraft and the ground. It also served as a formal flight test of other CONECT capabilities.
Boeing’s B-52 program director Scot Oathout says the team is on track to finish CONECT ground and flight tests by the end of October 2011. Milestone C authorization for low rate initial production is expected in mid-2012. Boeing.
Oct 6/10: Boeing in Wichita, KS received a $12.4 million contract modification for a future beyond line of sight (BLOS) communication capability on the B-52 heavy bomber, using satellite terminals that are compatible with the new AEHF secure broadband satellites. At this time, $10 million has been committed by the ASC/WWVK at Wright Patterson AFB, OH (FA8107-05-C-0001; PO 0058).
Sept 29/10: Boeing in Wichita, KS receives a sole-source indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract to support the USAF’s B-52H fleet, including modernization work. It could be worth up to $11.9 billion over an 8-year period, but no funds have been committed yet by the ASC/WWVK at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH (FA8628-10-D-1000).
One of the possible items under this contract would apparently be full full production and installation of CONECT into the 76-plane B-52 fleet. Read “Up to $11.9B for B-52H Maintenance & Modernization” for full details.
Jan 17/10: A B-52H upgraded with CONECT technologies makes its first flight, conducting an initial system build-up test, an interphone test and a communication test during the 3+ hour flight. As always, that flight is itself the culmination of many ground tests, starting with unit and system testing in the laboratory, progressing to system ground tests, and then on to flight test.
Boeing says that more than 220 ground test points out of about 500 have been accomplished, with ground and flight tests to continue through February 2010. The aircraft will then rotate through its planned depot maintenance at Tinker Air Force Base, OK, and resume ground and flight tests at Edwards AFB, CA in January 2011. Boeing.
July 31/09: Boeing Co. in Wichita, KS received a $70.6 million modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (FA8107-05-C-0001) to enhance the in-theater combat communications of the B-52H bomber. This contract is part of the CONECT program.
At this time, $4.4 million has been obligated. 651 AESS/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio is the contracting activity.
May 21/09: The first flight of a B-52 Stratofortress upgraded with Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT), a 3.5-hour delivery flight at the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems facility in Wichita, KS. This first aircraft will leave Wichita in June 2009 to go into flight test at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. Boeing.
March 29/05: Boeing Wichita Development and Modification Center in Wichita, KS receives a $216.7 million cost-plus fixed-fee CONECT contract to enhance the B-52 fleet’s in-theater combat communications. Solicitation began August 2004, negotiations were completed March 2005, and work will be complete by January 2010. The Headquarters Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker Air Force Base, OK issued the contract (FA8107-05-C-0001). See also Boeing release.
Additional Readings
- Boeing (Nov 29/04) – B-52 Upgrade Becomes Latest Boeing Program to Meet Net-Readiness Criteria
