KC-135s

Mission — KC-135 Upgrades source

The C/KC-135 is the only fully operational tanker in the Air Force inventory and also the oldest fleet by average age. In FY 2024, USAF C/KC-135s offloaded 70,727,162 gallons of fuel to refuel 36,515 aircraft (9% increase from FY 2023) in support of global operations. As a cargo aircraft, the C/KC-135 can carry six (6) standard 463-L pallets. RDT&E efforts include but are not limited to Mobile User Objective System, COMM2 Crypto & Data, High Frequency Modernization, and Center Console Refresh. Modernization funding is necessary to ensure the C/KC-135 fleet continues to support global aerial refueling operations through 2050 and beyond Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) integration and test for MUOS-capable radios on Block 45 aircraft in the COMM 3 position with Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) Integrated Waveform (IW) and LOS SATURN capability with HAVE QUICK II backward compatibility. The C/KC-135 fleet must comply with the National Security Agency (NSA) mandate or will lose secure communications, which significantly degrades its ability to support worldwide operations. The ARC-210 Gen 3 radios have Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) and will become obsolete on the CEASEKEY date. Requirements include AMC's 10-050 Crypto, 15-046 MUOS, 16-053 SATURN, and 17-039 IW. This modification is part to the USAF Radio and Crypto Modernization Plan (RCMP) for crypto modernization as directed by CSAF in Nov 2022 and DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO) in 2016. Center Console Refresh (CCR) replaces the Flight Display System (FDS) and Fuel System (FS) that is facing parts obsolescence issues and will render the aircraft non mission capable. The Integrated Fuel Management Panel (IFMP) and Fuel Management Advisory Computer (FMAC) are no longer procurable with limited repair capability. The Multi-Function Displays (MFD) are out of production with a limited cache of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) glass. The A11 card within the Control Display Unit (CDU) is obsolete and no repair capability exists at this time. Current organizational maintenance cannibalization efforts and repair contracts have extended the service life and reduced fleet impacts from original projections. High Frequency (HF) Modernization includes integration and test to replace legacy HF radio with a modernized HF radio on C/KC-135 aircraft. A modernized HF communications capability is necessary to enable future sustainability and growth to operate in satellite communications (SATCOM) denied environment while maintaining global, secure voice and data between Mobility Air Forces (MAF) aircraft and command and control (C2) agencies to exchange classified information and require AMC 18-100 Modernized HF. This modification is part of the USAF RCMP for crypto modernization as directed by CSAF in Nov 2022 and DoD CIO in 2016. COMM2 Crypto and Data: Replaces the legacy Airborne Radio Communications (ARC)-210 Generation (Gen) 3 and Very High Frequency (VHF) Data Link (VDL)-2000 systems in the Communications (COMM) 2 position. The ARC-210 Gen 3 is replaced with the ARC-210 Gen 6, providing modern cryptographic Line-of-Sight (LoS) secure voice, Second Generation Anti-jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO (SATURN) capability, and HAVE QUICK II backward compatibility through 2040. The VDL-2000 is replaced with the VHF-4000(E), enhancing COMM 2 civil data links. After the ARC-210 Gen 3's Cryptographic Equipment Authorized for Secure Keying (CEASEKEY) date, continued use risks mission degradation due to unsecure voice/data communications, loss of anti-jam capabilities, and limited legacy radio maintenance support. This will jeopardize critical air refueling and communication support for global operations. MAF connectivity enables tankers to connect to the Joint fight to close kill chains and logistics chains. Possible capabilities include, but are not limited to, intelligent gateways, antennas, radios, software updates, crew displays, and multiple aperture array housings. Hybrid SATCOM capability for airborne platforms relies on the employment of multi-band, multi-orbit SATCOM terminals to switch between both Government and Commercial satellites. Hybrid SATCOM terminals will provide airborne platforms with secure tactical communications by offering switching between five to ten distinct constellations. This flexibility of connectivity provides a high resiliency against anti-SATCOM threats, including jamming. The ability to selectively move between different satellite constellations (LEO/MEO/GEO) leverages the strengths of each constellation while the ability to switch between constellations within the Ku and Ka bands offers security of communications. The WXR-701 system, a Rockwell Collins product, is experiencing insurmountable Diminishing Manufacturing Source and Material Shortages (DMSMS). Rockwell Collins has provided a discontinuing of repair letter to the supply chain regarding the WXR-701. The purpose of this 1067 is to identify a Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) solution for replacement of the WXR-701 Color Weather Radar. Encompasses C/KC-135 Operational System Development, continued support for activities including but not limited to Survivability, Innovation, and support for demonstrations, operational assessments, exercises, test and evaluation, and airworthiness to quantify the effectiveness of temporary and permanent solutions. The FY 2026 request for KC-135 program includes $0.000 thousand of discretionary and $43,000 thousand of mandatory (reconciliation) for a total of $43,000 thousand. The mandatory funds Center Console Refresh (CCR), Hybrid SATCOM, Color Weather Radar and MAF connectivity efforts. Further information for this reconciliation request is provided in Section 20007 (Air Superiority) of the Reconciliation Exhibit. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program's funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY 2024, $1.482 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2025, $1.655 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. 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 (6)