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Recapitalizing JSTARS: the airframe

  • Published
  • By Justin Oakes
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
Of all the components going into the new JSTARS weapon system, the most noticeable -- at least at a glance -- is the airframe.

For the past two years, a specialized team at Hanscom AFB has been hard at work researching and learning about the various aircraft in today's marketplace -- all in an effort to find the best model that will accommodate an updated on-board command and control suite, radar and communications system. Components that, when integrated together, are used to detect threats and convey targeting information to air and ground commanders.

"By looking to the commercial marketplace, the Air Force will save money and time while taking advantage of already proven technology," said Maj. Kate Stowe, JSTARS Recap Air Vehicle team lead.

Unlike the current JSTARS fleet of Boeing 707s, the modernized platform will embody a much more affordable and smaller, business-class jet airframe.

The 707 entered production in 1958, which explains why the average age of the JSTARS fleet is 46 years old. And like all aging technology, upkeep requires maintenance ... and cost.

There are 16 aircraft in the JSTARS fleet, and the Air Force spends approximately $638 million annually maintaining them.

"This is just one example of how cost and efficiency played a part in the decision to modernize the system," Stowe said.

Another cost-savings reason for the revamp is fuel usage.

The present 707 model burns an excess of 2,100 gallons of fuel per hour, which equates to a sizeable gas bill for the Air Force -- to the tune of $82 million yearly. In comparison, the average business jets burns only 590 gallons per hour, which would significantly lower the service's fuel costs.

"By recapitalizing onto a smaller, more reliable and more fuel efficient aircraft, the Air Force anticipates saving $294 million a year on operations and maintenance, including $60 million per year on fuel," Stowe said.

Also, with a reduction in airframe size comes a reduction in crew. The JSTARS aircraft that patrol the skies and perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions today contain a flight crew of 21 people. The new platform will host a crew of 12.

"Many aspects will be automated as a result of incorporating the latest technology into the aircraft," Stowe said. "It translates to additional operational cost savings for the Air Force."

As part of the acquisition strategy moving forward, it's up to vying contractors to propose an airframe based on the requirements and capabilities needed to perform the mission.

On Dec. 10, 2015, the program officially reached a Milestone A decision, ushering the program into the Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction phase. With a successful Milestone A decision, the Air Force is able to exercise contract options on the three existing pre-EMD contracts. The $45 million combined options will further risk reduction efforts and include system functional reviews, preliminary design reviews as well as subsystem prototype demonstrations.

"We're not simply buying a more affordable and efficient aircraft," Stowe said. "The decisions we make here at Hanscom will have lasting impacts on America's ability to effectively execute battlespace command and control for years to come."

(Editor's note: this is the third story in a series of articles on JSTARS Recapitalization)