Mission Planning Systems

Mission — Mission Planning Systems source

Budget line 0208006F funds the Precision Aerial Delivery Systems (PADS) and Mission Planning Systems (MPS) Modernization efforts and is used to develop automated mission planning systems to support U.S. Air Force (USAF) flying operations. Airdrop Mission Planning/Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS) consists of hardware and software that serve as the primary mission planning system for all airdrop operations, enabling high-altitude logistical resupply and payload delivery. JPADS efforts are focused on hardware and software enhancements supporting airdrop delivery of cargo and resources while enabling Command and Control (C2) of aircrews and payloads during mission execution. These software upgrades will increase the survivability and lethality of our mobility forces. MPS are foundational to effective airpower projection and mission execution. MPS aircraft mission planning software integrates the latest tasking orders, mission profile, order of battle, routes, weight and balance, formation, payload, cargo, intelligence, weather, aircraft performance, autonomous air vehicle and weapon flight out models, and threat data into flight systems and associated Battle Management systems and networks. This integrated operating picture is used pre-flight to prepare the crew and aircraft for each mission; in-flight to receive and respond to C2 direction, enhance survivability, and react to mission changes; and post-flight for aircrew, intelligence, and maintenance debriefing. MPS Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), utilized by USAF and the U.S. Navy (USN), focuses solely on pre-mission planning operations. Modernization efforts, including JMPS Open Mission System (JOMS), focus on connected and disconnected planning and execution for all phases of mission planning (pre-mission, in-flight, and post-mission planning). Software development is essential for real-time mission data C2 updates and collaboration with mission partners as well as dynamic mission replanning for evolving conditions and sharing post-mission data to inform follow on operations. Additionally, MPS is lead on Theater Air Planning System of Systems (TAP-SoS) efforts to enable mission planning modernization integration and real-time data sharing with multiple C2 systems, including but not limited to Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS), Air Operations Centers, and Mobility Air Force C2 (MAFC2) across the Department of the Air Force (DAF) BATTLE NETWORK (DBN). Efforts within this PE align with USAF investment in Air Operations Center (0207410F), All Domain Common Platform (0303248F), C2IMERA (0305015F/0305836F) and ABMS (0604003F) to deliver the TAP-SoS architecture for the DBN. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F or 0605898F. In FY2024 $0.826M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY2025 $1.038M is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. The FY2026 request was reduced by $2.407 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative.” 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.

Mission — Precision Aerial Delivery Systems (PADS) source

Budget line 0208006F funds Airdrop Mission Planning/Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS). Airdrop Mission Planning/JPADS consists of hardware and software that serve as the primary mission planning system for all airdrop missions, enabling high-altitude logistical resupply and the delivery of diverse payloads. These payloads include kinetic effects, such as guided missiles capable of navigating to designated coordinates, and non-kinetic effects like sensors, communication nodes, and jammers, which rely on gravity for deployment. JPADS enhances operational efficiency, survivability, and lethality by enabling the safe and effective delivery of critical supplies and equipment to forces in the field, including from altitudes beyond the range of certain surface-to-air threats. JPADS is utilized by mobility aircraft, primarily the C-17 and C-130 platforms, for high and low-altitude airdrops. Consolidated Airdrop Tool (CAT) and other airdrop mission planning applications are key software for airdrop operations. Future initiatives include automating and enhancing airdrop planning with multi-stage airdrop, task saturation mitigation, and delivering palletized effects using Heavy Equipment Loading and Extraction airdrop. These initiatives utilize real-time data and acquisition of payload and delivery hardware systems (e.g. various delivery vehicles, modern parachute technologies, and various kinetic and non-kinetic effects) for prototyping, testing, evaluation, and demonstrations. FY2026 Airdrop efforts are focused on developing software/hardware capabilities for airdrop missions to include but not limited to: 1) high-altitude, precise, airdrop while mitigating surface-to-air threats; 2) improved single-pass airdrop capability to enhance survivability; 3) two stage payload delivery; 4) prototyping, testing, evaluation, and demonstration of palletized effects; 5) command and control of aerial delivery systems and palletized effects; and 6) supporting contested logistics aerial delivery (airdrop) in hostile or denied areas. These software modernization efforts integrate mobility forces in the Joint Long-Range Kill Chain while increasing aircraft and crew lethality and survivability.

Mission — Mission Planning Systems (MPS) Modernization source

The Mission Planning System (MPS) develops software for aircraft mission planning, integrating the latest intelligence, weather, aircraft performance, and threat data into flight management systems enabling flight operations for Combat Air Forces (CAF), Mobility Air Forces (MAF), and Special Missions Air Combat Command (SMACC) aircraft, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), and training aircraft. MPS is required prior to any fixed or rotary wing aircraft sortie. The warfighter must be able to: 1) leverage mission data feedback to formulate plans with current data; 2) optimize and de-conflict flight routes with other aircraft; 3) review, print, and brief the plan; 4) download flight information to onboard aircraft avionics; 5) conduct dynamic/in-flight replanning, including collaboration and data sharing with mission partners and the Command and Control (C2) chain; and 6) quickly and seamlessly share post-mission data to inform planning for subsequent missions. Main efforts include Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), JMPS Open Mission System (JOMS), and Theater Air Planning System of Systems (TAP-SoS). JMPS is a software and hardware configuration utilized by U.S. Air Force (USAF) and the U.S. Navy (USN) that focuses on pre-mission planning operations, connected and disconnected planning, and execution for all phases of mission planning operations. Mission Planning Modernization is a Software Acquisition Pathway program. Efforts, including JOMS, focus on connected and disconnected planning and execution for all phases of mission planning (pre-mission, in-flight, and post-mission planning). Software development is essential for real-time mission data C2 updates and collaboration with mission partners as well as dynamic mission replanning for evolving conditions and sharing post-mission data to inform follow on operations. Tools include Weapons Planning Software, Electronic Warfare (EW), Global Positioning System (GPS) crypto including GPS M-Code and weather. TAP-SoS enables integration and real-time data sharing with multiple C2 systems, including but not limited to Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS), Air Operations Centers, and Mobility Air Force C2 (MAFC2). Activities also include studies and analysis to support both current program planning and execution as well as future program planning. TAP-SoS continues and extends modernization by enabling seamless integration with the Department of the Air Force (DAF) BATTLE NETWORK (DBN). As the program shifts from JMPS upgrades activities to focus on modernization efforts, the program restructured in FY2024. MPS continues to upgrade JMPS to align with platform Operational Flight Program (OFP) requirements while developing and delivering modernized mission planning capability in JOMS and TAP-SoS. This restructure enables development to shift from platform centric to system centric mission planning utilizing modern software capabilities such as microservices and Software as a Service. MPS utilizes Continuous Development and Integration (CD&I) to develop modernized mission planning software services, user interfaces, and underlying software architecture that are common to all aircraft (e.g., rapid computing of flight routes based on specific aircraft flying characteristics, weather, flight safety, airport destination, etc.). Software Development for JMPS, JOMS, and TAP-SoS Modernization efforts include: 1) Combat Air Forces - Global Strike (CAF-GS) MPS: Software applications for pre-flight, dynamic/in-flight replanning, and post-flight analysis to optimize the tactical kill chain. Includes new and modernized mission planning capabilities in collaboration with the USN Mission Planning Program Office and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO). Software development to support platform OFP requirements, such as new weapons, avionics upgrades, communications systems, etc. OFPs requiring updates include, but are not limited to: F-15, F-16, F-22 B-1, B-2, B-52. Within the framework of Agile Software Cadence, development teams will deliver improved capabilities to support each aircraft platform OFP, including early deliveries for risk reduction testing. Upgrades for weapons planning capabilities include but are not limited to Small Diameter Bomb (SDB-II), Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). Additionally, upgrades require associated interfaces between the platforms and weapons such as Universal Armament Interface (UAI) and Mission Planning Certification Tool (MPCT). Furthermore, modernization efforts will address requirements to common capabilities and tools such as Weapons Planning Software (WPS), Electronic Warfare (EW) for the entire enterprise, GPS crypto (including GPS M-code), and weather. CAF-GS will integrate system specific mission planning elements into the overarching TAP-SoS dynamic mission replanning operational architecture. Efforts include development of modernized CAF-GS mission planning capabilities in collaboration with the USN Mission Planning Program Office and the F-35 JPO. Platform-specific efforts include, but are not limited to the following: a. F-15 MPS: Includes key initiatives on improving/adapting software architecture to improve lethality, survivability, readiness, affordability, and performance. Continued delivery of software updates to address platform OFP requirements which updates on an annual release to the field to provide new capabilities to the warfighter. The F-15 Unique Planning Component (UPC) will transition from JMPS to microservices which is required to migrate to the open standard interfaces of JOMS. Updates also include new features for weapons (JDAM, SDB I and II, Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9X, AIM-120D, and Network Enabled Weapon support elements (e.g., key handling, weapon data link, and Link 16)). Software enhancements include Synthetic Aperture Radar Planning Tools (SAR-PT), global area reference tools, radar modernization updates (e.g., combat identification, radar planning tool enhancements), active warning survivability systems, Advanced Dual Core Process II (ADCP- II) computer as well as Digital Transfer Device/Modules (DTD/DTM) modernized in support of operational capabilities to the F-15 OFP. The overall end state is a common OFP and one Mission Partner Environment (MPE) baseline that supports all F-15 models (C, D, E, & EX). Additionally, modernization efforts also includes pathfinder/exploratory efforts to provide preflight and dynamic mission planning and reduction of the logistics footprint. b. F-22 MPS: Includes multiple software development efforts driven by OFP updates. These new capabilities improve lethality, survivability, and tactical communications with sensor enhancements and updates to Link-16 Transmit, Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe Transmit and Interrogate, Infrared Search and Track Pod, and various classified projects. Additionally, efforts will increase readiness and affordability through incremental incorporation of open mission systems microservices to create a common platform agnostic baseline MPE/UPC. Modernization will integrate initial JOMS capabilities into JMPS and generate mission data files in appropriate test jets. Furthermore, efforts are collaborative with USN's and F-35 JPO's mission planning teams to deliver JOMS capabilities. Additional modernization efforts include pathfinder/exploratory efforts to provide enhanced pre-flight and dynamic mission planning capabilities as well as reduction of the logistics footprint. c. B-1 MPS: Includes multiple software development efforts driven by OFP updates for platform block upgrades. Efforts will incrementally deliver the B-1 MPE to improve survivability, lethality, and readiness; increase mission capabilities with weapon updates for JASSM and Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM); and incorporation of crypto modernization for Link-16 Network Enabled Weapons. Additionally, efforts will improve processing capability 64/128-bit environment, replace the mass storage unit where pre-recorded map and mission data is stored, and develop microservices to integrate JOMS into the B-1 MPE. 2) Global Mobility and Special Missions (GM-SM) MPS: Provide new and improved MAF-SMACC mission planning capability to support Agile Combat Employment (ACE) software applications for pre-flight, dynamic/in-flight replanning, and post-flight analysis; provide software applications to support operational engagement to optimize the tactical kill chain; and support individual OFP requirements, such as avionics upgrades, communications systems, etc. Common operational GM-SM baselines 1) enable agile software deliverables; 2) minimize platform schedule constraints; and 3) reduce platform dependencies within the OFP. GM-SM will integrate system specific mission planning elements into the overarching TAP-SoS dynamic mission replanning operational architecture. a. Global Mobility MPS: Includes new and modernized mission planning capability to support mobility aircraft including, but not limited to, C-17, C-130H, C-130J, C-5, KC-135, KC-10, and KC-46. Efforts also include, but are not limited to, integration of global C2 and Air Mobility Command (AMC) fuel efficiency requirements incorporating MAF Automated Flight Planning Service into the deployed squadron mission planning suite, enhancing capabilities to accommodate avionics upgrades, integration with precision airdrop tools for increased accuracy and survivability, interfaces with C2 systems, improved weather data ingestion/utilization, and integration with other common services such as assault zone and air refueling tools. b. Special Mission MPS: Includes new and modernized mission planning capability to support SMACC platforms including but not limited to E-3, E-7, RC-135, EA-37, and EC-130, Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) platforms (i.e. HC-130J and HH-60G/W). Efforts will replace JMPS with JOMS for initial SMACC platforms. Capability enhancements include, but are not limited to, improving performance stability by more efficient transfer of mission data from the MPE to the OFP and integration onto the smart multifunction color display for the HH-60G/W. 3) MPS Core Mission Planning (CMP): Includes new and modernized mission planning software services, user interfaces, and underlying software architecture that are common to all aircraft (e.g., rapid computing of flight routes based on specific aircraft flying characteristics, weather, flight safety, airport destination, etc.). These common services support software and data updating services to automatically synchronize connected assets, the common continuous integration/continuous delivery (Cl/CD) infrastructure and software integration processes; and enable worldwide USAF aircraft operations in connected and disconnected environments. CMP will integrate system specific mission planning elements into the overarching TAP-SoS dynamic mission replanning operational architecture. 4) Theater Air Planning System of Systems (TAP-SoS): Includes new and modernized software for operational C2 for rapid and calculated Course of Action development for dynamic mission replanning, enabling effective battlespace management and ensuring aircrew lethality and survivability. Software will integrate C2 operations to tactical mission planning systems across all platforms, automatically synchronize connected assets, and optimize battlespace awareness at an operational level. Along with MPS Software, efforts will integrate with Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS), Air Operations Centers, and Mobility Air Force C2 (MAFC2) across the Department of the Air Force (DAF) BATTLE NETWORK (DBN). 5) Test, Training, and Certification: Continues all MPS-related integration, test, and certification activities for all platforms. Program Support: Continues all program office management operations and support activities to ensure the timely development, testing, and delivery of mission planning systems to the warfighter.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (9)