E-4B National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC)

Mission — E-4B Aircraft Modernization source

The four (4) aircraft E-4B National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) fleet satisfies the military need for an airborne operations center with communications capabilities permitting military and civilian leadership to monitor and control military and civil national assets during all phases of conflict (nuclear and non-nuclear) or natural disaster. The E-4B NAOC fleet also satisfies the military requirement to provide a highly survivable node of the National Military Command System (NMCS). This program's developmental efforts include, but are not limited to, upgrades and enhancements to aircraft structures, propulsion system, fuel system, environmental control system, electrical generation and distribution systems, flight safety and navigation systems (with their associated communications equipment), and the Systems Integration Lab. Modifications may enhance the aircraft's mission capabilities necessary for the E-4B fleet to execute its mission, to include but not limited to those necessary for the Senior Leadership Command, Control and Communications System (SLC3S), National Leadership Command Capability (NLCC), and Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3). Funds may also be used to explore and develop modifications, upgrades, and future systems required to meet evolving mission requirements. This budget supports the following developmental modifications and studies/projects currently underway or planned for accomplishment: - Survivable Super High Frequency (SSHF) will upgrade and replace portions of the E-4B's Jam-Resistant Secure Communications (JRSC) system to meet existing Presidential Policy Directive (PPD)-35 and National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD)-51/Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD)-20 requirements and to ensure continued connectivity and interoperability as satellite and communications infrastructure evolves. Expected modifications include, but are not limited to, component and sub-system upgrades and replaces portions of the current Super High Frequency (SHF) system that are obsolete or near end of service life. A replacement to the SHF system is required as secure, survivable communications capability transitions from the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS). A risk-reduction study was completed in FY19 to further define the acquisition strategy of the SSHF program. The program will be acquired in 2 increments and each increment will be split into 2 installs to expedite fielding and reduce impact to Aircraft Availability. Increment 1A will upgrade the existing Ka-band system. Increment 1B will include technical solutions such as upgrading the existing modems and systems integration lab. Increment 2A will include new modem technology and common workstation. Increment 2B will include a new Ku-band system upgrades to the X-band system. Due to Air Force priorities, the X-band requirements will be deferred. - The E-4B Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL) program will develop a test environment configured to represent the mission systems of the E-4B with connectivity to mission networks and services. E-4B SIL started as the Test Accreditation Integration Lab (TAIL) 5 for development of the E-4B SSHF program. The E-4B SIL program will expand the capabilities of TAIL 5 beyond SSHF to include the other mission communication systems within the E-4B. The E-4B SIL is necessary to minimize modernization and technical refresh schedules by reducing time on aircraft for install, test, ground connections/configurations, technical orders, redlines/rework, and training. Schedule reduction by the E-4B SIL will directly support increased Aircraft Availability (AA). The E-4B SIL will be developed in blocks begin with the Advanced Extremely High Frequency/Presidential National Voice Conferencing (AEHF/PNVC) Backbone being added to the existing SSHF baseline to provide the basic platform communications systems. The next block will incorporate the Mission Equipment Section (MES) systems to allow reproduction of necessary data to operate both the SIL and operational aircraft. The next blocks will continue to build out network and communication systems based their associated priorities and system dependencies. - Touchscreen Executive Phone - Airborne (TXP-A) - effort replaces the existing secure obsolete touch screen phones for senior national leaders to maintain multi-level security. The TXP-A will upgrade computing capabilities of the secure phone and durability of various components such as processors and touch screen displays. The replacement of the TXP-A phones will allow the NAOC to continue to meet Presidential Policy Directive (PPD)-35 requirements across the full spectrum of crisis. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, 0606398F. In FY 2024 0.0M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025 0.0M is forecasted for civilian pay expenses in this program element. The FY 2026 cost of Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) effort E-4B is reflected in the budget request, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype units. The Department will certify Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) funding in a future budget submission 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.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (3)