Family of Advanced BLoS Terminals (FAB-T)

Mission — Family of Advanced BLoS Terminals (FAB-T) source

Activities funded in this program element continue to pay for AN/USQ-225 integration into multiple legacy systems, other ongoing NC3 acquisition programs, and future capabilities for the overall AF NC3 WS. The Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T) - Command Post Terminal (CPT), Presidential and National Voice Conferencing (PNVC) Integrator, and Force Element Terminal (FET) programs - transitioned from AFPEO/SP to AFPEO/NC3 effective December 2018. The FAB-T - Command Post Terminal (FAB-T CPT) project replaces legacy Milstar (AFCPT) terminals and will provide Extremely High Frequency (EHF) protected high data rate communication for nuclear and conventional forces to include PNVC. FAB-T CPT will provide this new, highly secure, state-of-the-art capability for Department of Defense (DoD) platforms to include strategic platforms and airborne/ground command posts via Milstar, and Advanced EHF (AEHF), and Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) satellite constellations. FAB-T CPTs will also support the critical command and control (C2) of the Milstar, Advanced EHF (AEHF), and Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) satellite constellations. The Presidential and National Voice Conferencing (PNVC) Integrator project is a critical element of the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) System. PNVC integrator replaces the Survivable Emergency Conferencing Network (SECN) capability, and will provide anti-jam, anti-scintillation, survivable, and enduring voice communications via AEHF and ESS satellite constellations for national and strategic users. There are several components being developed and procured by other organizations that must be synchronized to expeditiously field the capability. The PNVC Integrator is responsible for end-to-end integration of these components, to include requirements traceability, end-to-end system testing, configuration and checkout activities, training and technical manuals, network transition support, identification of deficiencies in overall PNVC system capability, enterprise, and life cycle support for PNVC components. The AFPEO/SP approved entry into the acquisition lifecycle as a post MS-A Acquisition Category (ACAT) III Program of Record in January 2016. Starting in December 2018, PNVC Integrator became responsible for the funding requests of all program elements related to the Defense Information Systems and Agency (DISA) components of the PNVC System in accordance with FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, Sec. 1661. In March 2019, the AFPEO/NC3 declared the PNVC Integrator an ACAT II Program based on the inclusion of DISA funding in the program budget. FY 2026 transfer of $67.793M from Space Force (PE 1203001SF / Project 673040 / Appropriation 3620 / Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation) to Air Force (PE 0303131F, Project 673040 / Appropriation 3600 / Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation) Transfer Memo signed 12 Nov 2024. The FAB-T - Force Element Terminal (FAB-T FET) program replaces the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Milstar terminals and provides secure, protected, and survivable communications for the strategic warfighter through airborne-based Military Satellite Communication (MILSATCOM) terminals. The FAB-T FET will provide worldwide nuclear and non-nuclear, survivable, anti-jam Low Probability of Detect (LPD)/ Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) data and voice communications. The FAB-T FET will be interoperable with Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF), Enhanced Polar Systems - Recapitalization (EPS-R), and satellite constellations utilizing waveforms and will be installed on the B-52 aircraft (threshold). FAB-T FET was designated as a Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) in February 2019. The FY 2026 cost of the FAB-T FET Middle Tier of Acquisition effort is reflected in the budget request, including RDT&E and procurement of prototype. The Department will certify Future Year Defense Program funding in a future budget submission. FAB-T FET is planned to transition to the Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) Pathway at Milestone C. 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, 0606398F. In FY24 $0.000M was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY25 $0.000 is forecasted 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.

Mission — Presidential and National Voice Conferencing source

The Presidential and National Voice Conferencing (PNVC) Integrator project is a critical element of the Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) System. PNVC integrator replaces the Survivable Emergency Conferencing Network (SECN) capability, and will provide anti-jam, anti-scintillation, survivable, and enduring voice communications via Milstar, Advanced EHF, and ESS satellite constellations for national and strategic users. There are several components being developed, procured and updated by other organizations that must be synchronized to expeditiously field this capability. The PNVC Integrator is responsible for end-to-end integration of these components, to include requirements traceability, end-to-end system testing, configuration and checkout activities, training and technical manuals, network transition support, identification of deficiencies in overall PNVC system capability, enterprise, and life cycle support for PNVC components. The AFPEO/SP approved entry into the acquisition life-cycle as a post MS-A Acquisition Category (ACAT) III Program of Record in January 2016. In March 2019 the AFPEO/NC3 declared the PNVC Integrator an ACAT II Program based on updated approved budget request. Starting in December 2018 PNVC Integrator became responsible for the funding requests of all program elements related to the Defense Information Systems and Agency (DISA) components of the PNVC System in accordance with FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, Sec. 1661. In October 2021, PNVC completed Milestone B/C.

Mission — Force Element Terminal source

The FAB-T - Force Element Terminal (FAB-T FET) program replaces the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Milstar terminal and provides secure, protected, and survivable communications for the strategic warfighter through airborne-based Military Satellite Communication (MILSATCOM) terminals. The FAB-T FET will provide worldwide nuclear and non-nuclear, survivable, anti-jam Low Probability of Detect (LPD)/ Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) data and voice communications. The FAB-T FET will be interoperable with Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF), Enhanced Polar Systems - Recapitalization (EPS-R), and satellite constellations utilizing waveforms and will be installed on the B-52 aircraft (threshold). FAB-T FET was designated as a Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) in February 2019 and is expected to be designated as Major Capability Acquisition at Milestone C.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (2)