Common Avionics

This program will conduct research, studies, development, integration, demonstration, test and evaluation efforts to ensure tactical communication systems and capabilities are developed and available to support naval aviation requirements. Perform tactical communication platform integration studies and activities to determine technical and cost effective solutions across naval aviation for the next generation radio. Develop tactical communications (voice/data) requirements, concepts and systems which have application across naval aviation. Support all necessary tasks to ensure evolution of legacy communications systems for the next generation radio incorporating programmable Communication Security/Information Assurance, Transmission Security (TRANSEC) mandated National Security Agency (NSA) Advanced Crypto Capability (ACC) modernization initiatives aligned to Crypto Modernization 2.0 (CM2) Quantum Resilience (QR) specification, Tactical Secure Voice (TSV) Suite B, Combat Net Radio (CNR) Variable Message Format (VMF), Beyond Line-of-Sight, Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Modernization including Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), High Frequency, Second Generation Anti-Jam Tactical UHF Radio for NATO (SATURN), Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS), Enhanced SINCGARS Improvement Program (E-SIP), SINCGARS Cryptographic Modernization with TSV 4.x, TSV 5.x, civil interoperability, and data link into the ARC-210 system. Support for networking requirements development and prototyping, Integrated Waveform (IW), Intelligence Broadcast System over modern Code Division Multiple Access based satellite channels, Tactical Networks, Data Links, Link 16 and Link 22.

This program will conduct research, studies, development, integration, demonstration, test and evaluation efforts to meet naval aviation GPWS/TAWS II requirements. These requirements span all operational modes and operational environments, to include Degraded Visual Environment. Perform GPWS/TAWS II platform integration studies and activities to determine technical and cost-effective solutions across naval aviation. Develop GPWS/TAWS II solutions tailored to platform performance and range of military operations. Develop simulation models for use at Manned Flight Simulator (MFS) or other simulation environments as required for platform tailoring. Evaluate aircraft simulation models for suitability in GPWS/TAWS II development effort. Develop GPWS/TAWS II algorithms utilizing simulation environments as real-time hardware and pilot in the loop tool. Develop and evaluate algorithm interfaces necessary for integration of the algorithm within platform host computer. Develop software code to execute GPWS/TAWS II algorithm in host platforms.

This program will conduct and support CNS/ATM research, studies, development, integration, demonstration, test and evaluation efforts for Naval aviation platforms in development. Platform integration of Mode Select (S), 8.33 kHz, Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM), Required Navigation Performance Area Navigation (RNP RNAV) to include M Code, and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out (ADS-BO) functional integration and certification efforts into Naval aircraft. Assist with insertion of communication, navigation, surveillance, and supporting technologies and conduct capability certification on developmental platforms. Capabilities include Mode S, 8.33 kHz, RVSM, RNP RNAV, ADS-BO, and other civil and military capabilities.

The JSRC-AS program supports Congressional and Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition direction to control the growing proliferation of unique avionics and improve coordination among the services through the identification and promotion of collaborative investigative and development efforts across Army, Air Force, Navy and U.S. Coast Guard acquisition entities. The JSRC-AS also supports the development, analysis and review of new avionics requirements with potential for Joint Service application. The JSRC-AS consists of an O-6 Level principal from each Service. Activities generally involve periodic exchanges at dedicated and opportune multi-Service events to share awareness of similar initiatives and align respective teams to leverage investments and progress to save time and resources in the pursuit of capability enhancements.

The Common Mission Computing and Displays (CMCD) program enables the development, procurement, integration, test and fielding of common capabilities through the use of commercial off the shelf mission computing and displays products as part of the CMCD family of systems across multiple platforms. As part of CMCD, the Mission Computer Alternative (MCA) provides for a current state technology common mission computing baseline across multiple legacy aircraft platforms to include the T-45 Goshawk, CMV-22, and E-2D Hawkeye. MCA allows for technology refresh, software application development, multi-capability insertion and cyber protection activities to be conducted throughout the mission computer lifecycle. MCA will enable rapid adaptation to emerging threats by providing new capabilities. Also, part of the CMCD program is the Common Display Alternatives (CDA) initiative to increase pilot tactical and situational awareness and improve the man-machine interface for naval aviators The CDA initiative evaluates military aircraft platform requirements and commercial aircraft display products for applicability to those military aircraft platforms. Commercial displays are known for their high reliability and the incorporation of the latest technologies.

AvCIP investigates and resources high value Return On Investment Naval Aviation electronics component improvement candidate projects that correct systems reliability, performance and sustainment deficiencies. It directly supports the NAVAIR Commander's Strategic Imperatives of 'Aligning existing resources to better support today's Readiness' and 'Increase Speed of Products to the Fleet.' AvCIP projects mitigate operating and sustainment cost growth by reducing costs for fielded systems and implementing life-cycle cost reduction initiatives. This program positions resources for next-year application to fast-track corrections to existing problematic aviation electronics systems. Projects address critical readiness issues (significant backorders or impending sustainability failures that threaten to down aircraft), functional performance obsolescence issues (system failing to support mission requirement), and top sustainment cost drivers (out of proportion annual maintenance or repair costs). Resources enable design and development of technology insertion and product redesign or replacement to meet readiness goals, meet mission objectives, or reduce overall sustainment costs. Candidate projects are submitted via a rigorous template, reviewed by a panel of Avionics professionals, and selected based upon urgency, warfighting contributions, breadth of application and scope of Return On Investment. Resources cover non-recurring engineering elements (including design and development, prototypes, platform integration, test and evaluation), program management and associated logistics elements (including technical data preparation, support equipment, provisioning, and training).

The Avionics Architecture Team (AAT) provides hardware and software (HW/SW) standards, product line development, and management for common HW/SW operating environments. AAT is chartered to facilitate NAVAIR's compliance with the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) requirements in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2446a-2446c; FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Section 805 Modular Open Systems Approach in Development of Major Weapon Systems, 23 Dec 2016; Tri-Service Memorandum for Service Acquisition Executives and Program Executive Officers, 07 Jan 2019; Tri-Service Memorandum for Service Acquisition Executives and Program Executive Officers, 17 Dec 2024; DoDI 5000.02 Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework, 23 Jan 2020; FY21 NDAA Sec. 804 - Implementation of Modular Open Systems Architecture requirements, Amending 10 USC 2446a-2446C as 4401-4403, 01 Jan 2021; and SECNAVINST 5000.2G, Implementation of the Defense Acquisition System and the Adaptive Acquisition Framework, 08 Apr 2022. The Software Open Systems Technologies (SWOST) team manages the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE[TM]) Technical Standard, which is developed with the joint collaboration between the Navy, Army, Air Force, industry and academia in accordance with Public Law 104-113. They also manage the Navy's efforts for the Air Force led Open Mission Systems (OMS) and Weapons Open Systems Architecture (WOSA) OA Standards. The Hardware Open Systems Technologies team includes the Hardware Open Systems Technologies (HOST) standard, which is developed through government and academia collaboration and is provided to industry for prototyping and implementation efforts. This effort is the lead for military developed standards to reside in a Data Model (DM). They also manage the Sensor Opens Systems Architecture [SOSA[TM]) Technical Standard, which is developed with the joint collaboration between the Navy, Army, Air Force, industry and academia in accordance with Public Law 104-113. The Functional Architecture for Strategic Reuse (FASTR) initiative, through Platform Integration and Modeling, will define a standard process for mission level capability decomposition to support product line development and management. The AAT provides Subject Matter Experts to define and architect a set of Open Architecture Standards and product lines, design principles and guidance, development and integration tools, acquisition strategy, contracting guidance and cost estimates. The AAT also provides Subject Matter Experts directly to weapons systems/platforms to support inclusion of Open Architecture Standards in the early stages of life cycle development. The results will enable Department of Defense (DoD) weapons systems/platforms to systematically procure open, modular and reconfigurable software architectures, reuse HW/SW, and deliver scalable, portable and interoperable warfighting capabilities at a faster rate, reducing redundant development costs, and increasing competition. Infrastructure components and frameworks built to these standards will support capability upgrades on various platforms by enabling integration of common, non-proprietary applications. The AAT initiatives enable the government's role as Lead Systems Integrator, per the Weapons System Acquisition Reform Act (WSARA) 2009, and cost effectively manage data rights for reuse across the DoD.

The Critical Avionics Reliability Program (CARP) manages a variety of capabilities that are aging with obsolescence effecting reliability such as radar altimeters and other mission systems across multiple platforms. The first planned effort is a newly designed Next Generation Radar Altimeter (NGEN RADALT), to meet the specific capability requirements of the US Military, will provide a height above ground solution for the foreseeable future, to include those aircraft operating into the late 2040s. The redesign of the Radar Altimeter is required to replace more than 1,664 APN-194 systems fielded across multiple T/M/S, to ensure platforms are not restricted to Shore-based day Visual Flight Rule Operations beyond 2032.

Digital Interoperability (DI) is the United States Marine Corps' strategy, that is aligned with the National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, Joint All Domain Command and Control Strategy, Littoral Operations in Contested Environments, Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, Marine Corps Operating Concepts and the Marine Requirements Oversight Council Gap List, to bridge multiple generations of technology using three matured technologies; gateways, software defined radios, and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) interfaces. This modular developmental approach enables iterative migration to advanced waveforms and payloads while providing enhanced digital connectivity between forces using dissimilar technologies. DI will enable fleet integration of new capabilities on COTS tablets and Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) applications. DI will also enable logistics tracking and reporting (cargo and personnel) with the use of Radio Frequency Identification technology, advanced Electronic Warfare/Cyber capability, and threat data capturing/off-boarding. The architecture establishes the foundation to enable system performance data off-boarding, as well as data fusion and artificial intelligence augmentation capabilities. Development and testing of MANGL components, to include software reconfigurable radios, gateways and tablets, for MV-22B. Translates messages from one tactical data link to another (i.e. Link 16 to Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform [ANW2]) with a tactically proven gateway, thereby leveraging previous investments. Provides the foundation for Command, Control, Communications, Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations, and Intelligence exploitation of platform/sensor data off-boarding, data fusion, and distributed processing. Enables real-time blue force situational awareness and improved decision-making through the sharing of a Common Operational Picture, including friendly force positions, capabilities, and threat information for both the aircrew and embarked troops. Provides for operations in denied and degraded environments, enables range extension and distributed operations. Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Agile Network Gateway Link (MANGL) Marine Air Ground Tablet (MAGTAB) provides life cycle and technical support for hardware refresh, processing power evolution, crypto certification/compliance and tactical software application evolution for all MAGTAB DI/MANGL end user devices. This function includes development of software capability improvements to be released every 6 months to enable the MANGL system to keep apace of changes in the operational environment.