A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 5, No.46
December 3, 2009

630 ELSS on quest to improve combat identification

Military analysts discuss friendly forces interoperability during Bold Quest 2009. Bold Quest brings together nearly 1,000 professional warfighters and contractors from 11 countries and across the U.S. military to test technologies designed to eliminate fratricide on the battlefield and refine emerging technology behind Digitally Aided Close Air Support. (DoD Photo by: Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine, USAF)

By Patty Welsh
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

A major key to military decision making is being confident of where your friends and foes are.

The 630th Electronic Systems Squadron from Hanscom Air Force Base recently participated in the Joint Forces Command-led Bold Quest 2009 exercise, trying out a new air-to-ground technology where fixed-wing aircraft now have the capability to help distinguish forces on the ground.

The technology is Radio Based Combat Identification (RBCI). The aircraft implementation of RBCI utilizes a Rockwell Collins Quint Networking Technology (QNT) radio, modified to accept the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) waveform, widely used by military ground radios.

Incorporated into any suitable targeting pod - for this exercise, a LITENING pod - RBCI has the capability to increase a pilot's situational awareness by interrogating radios on the ground at great ranges to determine if the object is part of a friendly force, ultimately reducing chances of fratricide.

After months of preparing and working out issues through lab tests at Northrop Grumman in Rolling Meadows, Ill., and flight tests at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., the RBCI was put to the test.  (More)

General Hoffman cites progress on AFMC's 2009 priorities

Gen. Donald Hoffman

By Kevin Gilmartin
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Air Force Materiel Command has made "significant progress" on five priorities for 2009 set by Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, AFMC commander, shortly after he assumed command in November 2008.

In a recent letter to the command entitled "State of the Command - 2010," General Hoffman offered his assessment of progress made by AFMC in areas ranging from reinvigorating AFMC's role in the nuclear enterprise to being good stewards of government resources.

Reinvigorating the command's role in the nuclear enterprise "continues to be our number one priority," General Hoffman wrote. He said the command "worked hard to create clear lines of authority and responsibility within AFMC's nuclear sustainment enterprise by consolidating all major nuclear sustainment and future system development activities into a single organization - the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center."

He also cited three major milestones that occurred in 2009: the stand up of the Directorate for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration (A10) at AFMC Headquarters; the designation of AFMC as the single nuclear weapons authority for all CONUS-based weapons storage area, and the approval from the HAF Nuclear Oversight Board to establish an Air Force Program Executive Officer for Strategic Systems.
On his second priority, "Implement Effective and Efficient Integrated Life Cycle Management," General Hoffman reported that the command is working hard to establish clear lines of authority and accountability.

"To establish clear lines of authority and accountability, AFMC will realign from a Wing/Group/Squadron structure to a Directorate/Division/Branch structure for most acquisition organizations," he wrote. "In addition, several new Program Executive Officer positions will be created. This will provide a greater number of experienced senior leaders to oversee the execution of our acquisition programs and address span of control issues."  (More)

Combating contractor shenanigans
Options include suspension and disbarment

One tool the Air Force uses to ensure it does business only with responsible contractors is the suspension and debarment program.  “The suspension and debarment program results in prompt, far-reaching protections against a contractor that has proven itself a poor performer, or which is involved in fraud, waste, and abuse in a federal procurement,” said  Peter J. Camp, Electronic Systems Center (ESC) Procurement Fraud Counsel.  “A suspension or debarment is not considered punishment the way criminal penalties are, but it ensures that federal business is conducted legally, and only with responsible parties.”  (More)

Lynn cites aerospace role in Afghanistan strategy

Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets, such as the E-8C Joint STARS pictured here, will be critical to the success of stepped-up operations in Afghanistan.

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

12/2/2009 - NEW YORK (AFNS) -- Aerospace assets will be critical to the success of stepped-up operations in Afghanistan, from delivering troops to ferrying logistical support to providing lifesaving intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to ground forces, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn told industry executives here Dec. 2.

Mr. Lynn told several hundred Aerospace and Defense Conference attendees that he firmly supports President Barack Obama's new force commitment and revised strategy in Afghanistan, announced Dec. 1 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

"The situation there is serious," Mr. Lynn said. "New terrorist attacks against our homeland are being planned there now, including a recent plot disrupted by American authorities. Those facts compel us to act."

Mr. Lynn said the 30,000 additional U.S. troops to join the fight in Afghanistan will support the overarching goal there: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaida in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and to prevent terrorists from threatening the United States and its allies.

"We must deny al-Qaida a safe haven," he said. "We must reverse the Taliban's momentum, especially in the population centers of Afghanistan. And we must strengthen Afghanistan's government and security forces."  (More)

Hanscom Reps Association to host holiday party Dec. 11

The Hanscom Representatives Association invites all members of the Hanscom community to attend the annual HRA Holiday Party Dec. 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Minuteman Club Ballroom.  The event is free, and features heavy hors d’ouvres and a cash bar.  During the party, the organization will announce its elected officers for 2010 and present a donation to the Hanscom Deployed Troops Fund.  RSVPs are required.   HRA members can RSVP on the HRA website.  Government individuals can RSVP by sending an email to hra@odysseyconsult.com with "HRA Holiday Party" in the subject line.

command comments ...

The Integrator is a weekly product of the 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office designed to give ESC decision makers a snapshot of news affecting the C4ISR community.  This e-publication is approved by Kevin Gilmartin, Chief of Public Affairs, (DSN) 478-4110 or commercial (781) 377-4110.  Back issues are available online.  To facilitate service, please select a link for your e-mails:  
Subscribe -- Unsubscribe -- Offer Comments

Having trouble viewing The Integrator? Click here, http://integrator.hanscom.af.mil/2009/December/12032009/12032009.htm