JOINT STARS READY FOR UPGRADE
By Julian Nettlefold
03 Mar 09. BATTLESPACE Editor visited Northrop Grumman’s Airborne Systems Melbourne Florida plant to discuss NATO AGS and Joint STARS. After the NATO AGS brief, we went down the corridor to meet Bryan Lima, Chief Engineer for the ISR and BMC-2 programme. (See: AGS REACHES NEXT STAGE, this issue.)
“Can you give our readers a background to the development of Joint STARS?”
“Joint STARS development started in the eighties and the system was rushed into service during Operation Desert Storm where it performed beyond all expectations. The system also served in 1996 in the Balkans conflicts with the first full up deployment was in 1999. Joint STARS then served during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, flying more than 51,000 combat hours in over 4000 missions.”
“Since the cancellation of E-10A, how do you see Joint STARS progressing to the next stage?”
“We have leveraged a great deal of the E-10A technology into BMC2 including system interoperability, multi-target detection, Combat ID and overall radar modernization. As you have seen by our development aircraft parked outside, we are making huge progress on re-engining the 18 Joint STARS aircraft with new fuel efficient Pratt & Whitney JT8D-219 engines. This is key to the continued success of Joint STARS as it will cut the current costs of maintaining the fleet. The engines will give the aircraft increased take off and climb rate, better safety and survivability and greater time between refuelling. They also provide better endurance, increased altitude and better maintainability and thus Terms of Ownership. The T-3 test-bed aircraft will be deployed to Edwards Air Force Base in the near future to complete airworthiness trials for full military type certification. We expect to begin installing the engines on the rest of the fleet during routine depot maintenance starting next year. We will also be installing other cockpit improvements to meet FAA regulations.”
“Does Joint STARS still have a role in the new world of UAV warfare?”
“Joint STARS is the hidden gem on the battlefield. It is the system which guides these UAVs to their targets, given its availability and time on station. As I mentioned earlier, Joint STARS has flown more than 51,000 combat hours in the current conflict. In 2008, Joint STARS located a staggering 1000+ detainees, 600 weapons caches, 700 IEDs located using the MTI radar, 200 IED factory locations and 200 high value individuals.
Joint STARS gives commanders a huge wide area surveillance tracking capability in GMTI and SAR modes. Its 18 crew members are crucial for real-time airborne image and data analysis to guide UAVs on to targets. They can relay information direct to UAVs, fighters, helicopters or ground forces by a number of on-board datalinks. With the AMSTE 3-D system we can guide GPS-equipped munitions from the aircraft. On our testbed aircraft, we are demonstrating a direct datalink operating at 274mbytes per second using a 12” satellite dish on the tail to receive data from the Global Hawk. In addition using the Northrop Grumman Advanced Information Architecture (AIA), our ‘server in the sky,’ anyone can access information. ”
“What do these upgrades give the system?”
“The Computer Replacement Program, completed in 2005, enabled us to replace bulky old mil-spec computers with commercial off the shelf models from suppliers like Mercury and Hewlett Packard. This gives us the flexibility to replace systems on a more frequent basis to keep up with the best technology. It also freed up a great deal of space to install more real-time computing, signal processing and data management systems. We are going through another process to further upgrade computers, work stations, and ultimately, capability, over a five year period.”
“What do you see as the life of Joint STARS?”
“Right now the current fleet is baselined until 2025 with