CONECT: B-52H Reach Digital Age with Communications Upgrades
April 21/14: 1st delivery. The US Air Force says a B-52 crew from Tinker AFB’s 10th Flight Test Squadron flew the the 1st CONECT B-52 back to Barksdale AFB, LA.
March 2014: FY15 Budget Request. The Air Force continues to fund B-52 upgrades through its PE 0101113F [PDF] program element, which includes $14.3M for CONECT, and more money for internal weapons bay upgrades (IWBU) and other improvements. CONECT’s line item changes against over the FYDP vs. budget documents from the two previous years, but it is the first time that a total cost is displayed, at $40.6M by FY19.
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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 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 originally projected $500 million worth of spending, but the Air Force announced an abrupt restructuring in its FY13 budget request. However that lasted all of 3 months, as a Milestone C decision came in May 2012, followed by the first production orders and a FY14 request putting these upgrades back on track, though with less money. A first delivery in April 2014 indicated the program seemed to settle down.
Contracts & Key Events
May 12/14: Re-introduction. The 1st of 76 B-52H bombers to be upgraded with the CONECT (Combat Network Communications Technology) system formally returns to the USAF fleet. Sources: Boeing, “1st B-52 Upgraded with Innovative Boeing CONECT System”.
April 21/14: 1st delivery. The US Air Force says a B-52 crew from Tinker AFB’s 10th Flight Test Squadron flew the the 1st CONECT B-52 back to Barksdale AFB, LA.
1st delivery
March 2014: FY15 Budget Request. The Air Force continues to fund B-52 upgrades through its PE 0101113F [PDF] program element, which includes $14.3M for CONECT, and more money for internal weapons bay upgrades (IWBU) and other improvements. CONECT’s line item changes against over the FYDP vs. budget documents from the two previous years, but it is the first time that a total cost is displayed, at $40.6M by FY19.
April 10/13: FY14 Budget Request. The President Budget assigns $87.2M for 30 aircraft modifications for a total of $296M and has this to say:
“The CONECT upgrade installs new multi-functional color displays (MFCDs) and a digital interphone system, which will survive and function through the nuclear environment to enhance crew interaction and situational awareness. To enable net centric operations, the CONECT upgrade installs on-board client/server architecture supporting distributed processing with independent control functions; UHF Beyond Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) Joint Range Extension (JRE) capability via ARC-210 Warrior radio to exchange J-Series messaging within theater; Intelligence Broadcast Receiver; limited Internet Protocol (IP)-based UHF BLOS link supporting email and file transfers; and Improved Data Modem (IDM)-based digital Variable Message Format (VMF) datalink to significantly enhance close air support (CAS) missions. This integrated suite, when produced and installed, will provide the B-52 fleet with a machine-to-machine capability supporting aircraft re-tasking and re-targeting of Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile (CALCM) and J-series weapons across the range of military operations the B-52 is assigned.”
The reversal of the FY13PB restructure is confirmed [PDF]:
“For FY14, the FY13 decision to restructure the CONECT program was reversed. The Air Force FY14 PB submission funds the completion of the full CONECT capability development, updates due to Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Materiel Sources (DMSMS) issues, changes to incorporate updates to GFP, recurring changes to B-52 Software baseline, CONECT capability inclusion into the required B-52 training systems, and production/installation/initial support for a total 30 CONECT capable (2 kits were funded in EMD) aircraft. The test aircraft will not be de-modified from its CONECT configuration.”
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March 27/13: 1st LRIP order. A $73.9 million award to Boeing Wichita, KS, comes as a surprise, since the 2013 Authorization bill (HR4310) allocated $53.2 million to B-52 squadrons – the Budget Program Activity Code where CONECT is found – matching exactly the amount in the FY 2013 President Budget. How can the Air Force spend $74M where they asked – and got – $34.7M? The date of the award (filed at 5pm!) offers a clue: it is the final day of the Continuing Resolution, which maintained funding programs at FY12 levels. In the Air Force’s own language, in response to DID’s inquiry:
“the contract award was fully funded with monies appropriated in the FY12 President’s Budget and executed in accordance with language in the FY13 Appropriations bill signed into law earlier this week. No FY13 appropriated funds were used for this contact award.”
After obtaining clarification from the Air Force and Boeing, this order is for the first 8 kits of a scheduled 76, which indicates a return to the original plan of covering the whole fleet. Boeing will close their plant in Wichita by the end of 2013, but this work will be done at Tinker AFB, OK, during the regular programmed depot maintenance cycle. The first kits are to be delivered in the fall 2014. FBO.gov.
May 2012: Milestone C. Flight tests had been completed in November 2011, and in a quick change of heart, the Air Force decides to proceed with this program after all. That would explain Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski’s confidence.
Milestone C
May 11/12: HASC support. The House Armed Services Committee does not agree with the Air Force:
“The committee is disappointed that despite the successful completion of all engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) efforts on the B-52 CONECT program, the Secretary of the Air Force has decided to forfeit the taxpayer’s investment in EMD by not continuing the procurement and fielding phases of the program. The committee believes that if the B-52 CONECT procurement program is continued, modernization of the B-52 fleet with B-52 CONECT would increase B-52’s combat capability, flexibility, and maintainability; reduce in-flight crew workload; and provide the warfighter with more precise, timely, and effective close-air support. […]
Furthermore, the committee encourages the Secretary of the Air Force to obligate fiscal year 2012 appropriations procurement funds for the B-52 CONECT program, and directs the Secretary to conduct a risk-based, mission-effectiveness analysis regarding the advantages and disadvantages of not continuing the B-52 CONECT procurement program and maintaining the B-52 fleet of aircraft in the current configuration…”
On the same day, which surely is a coincidence, a USAF release quotes Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski, commander of Global Strike Command, and states in what looks like cognitive dissonance with the FY13 budget that:
“Modernizing and sustaining the nation’s long-range strike aviation capability is a top priority […] One of the test aircraft at Edwards AFB also featured an improved on-board communications upgrade called combat network communications technology. The CONECT program brings the B-52H from the analog into the digital age, command officials said, providing an invaluable data link, over which to pass mission and threat data.”
Feb 2012: Program restructuring. The Presidential budget request has a BPAC [PDF] dedicated to B-52 modernization that comes with bad news for CONECT:
“In FY13, the CONECT program will be restructured and reduced to only replacing the current Multi-Function Displays (MFD’s) located at each of the crew stations, making the temporary Evolutionary Data Link (EDL) modification permanent, and demoding the CONECT test aircraft as required. However, the current CONECT development effort in FY12 will be completed as planned and the technical design/baseline will be maintained in support of future budget decisions.
As the remaining requirement of the CONECT program restructure, the Multi-Function Display (MFD) Replacement will develop wire-harnesses and installation tray configurations for the MFDs in each of the 76 B-52 aircraft. The existing legacy displays at each crew station will be removed and replaced with stock listed MFDs. This effort will replace the current MFDs due to long standing obsolescence issues. This configuration WILL NOT provide additional capability beyond what is currently available, but will retain growth potential for future upgrades.
Requested funds for FY13 are set to $34.7M, followed by a final $29.8M in FY14. That is a far cry from the $94.3M and $138.3M planned in the 2012PB, with another $287M to go in FY15 and beyond.
Restructured
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 rate 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.
March 18/04: CDD. The Air Force’s Requirement’s Oversight Capability Council validated the program’s Capability Development Document.
Additional Readings
- DoD Buzz (July 12/13) – Air Force Begins Massive B-52 Overhaul
- Boeing (Nov 29/04) – B-52 Upgrade Becomes Latest Boeing Program to Meet Net-Readiness Criteria
