Description
The Weapon System
The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) is an airborne battle management and command and control (C2) platform that conducts surveillance of enemy forces in order to support ground commanders' requirements.
The E-8C is a modified Boeing 707/300 series commercial airframe extensively remanufactured and outfitted with radar, computer, and communications subsystems. The most prominent external feature is the 40-foot-long canoe-shaped radome under the forward fuselage that houses the side-looking phased-array radar.
The radar and computer systems on the E-8C can gather and display position and tracking information on friendly and enemy ground forces. The information is relayed in near real time to the Army's common ground stations as well as other command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) nodes on the ground.
The JSTARS R-TOC effort is focused on two main areas: a concentrated
effort by the Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) Improvement Team to
improve the system's Operational Availability while reducing TOC and a
support effort in which a single integrating contractor is given Total
System Support Responsibility (TSSR).
To support the TSSR concept, Northrop Grumman is developing a new JSTARS Cost and Performance System (J-CAPS) to assist with budget planning and tracking, analysis of R-TOC proposals, and tracking of R-TOC results.
Although the JSTARS is a relatively new system, the E-8 aircraft are provided by adding JSTARS electronics to existing 707 airframes. As a result, the system is suffering a number of aging aircraft problems, including structural fatigue and corrosion.
Production Status, Population, and Planned Life
The system is in production. Two developmental E-8C aircraft were
deployed in 1991 to participate in Operation Desert Storm. In 1995 and
1996, developmental aircraft participated in Operation Joint Endeavor,
monitoring ground movements in support of Dayton Peace Treaty
agreements. Mission effectiveness rates of these developmental aircraft
systems was at or near 100%. In Operation Enduring Freedom, the JSTARS flew
100% of its scheduled missions. Initial Operational Capability was declared
in December 1997. At present, there are 15 aircraft in the Active Air
Force, with delivery of two more aircraft anticipated.
Prime contractor: Northrop Grumman Corp.
Office of Primary Responsibility: Joint STARS System Program Office, Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, MA.
R-TOC Focus Areas: (From USD (AT&L) memorandum dated May 10, 1999)
- Reduced demand from weapon systems via reliability and maintainability improvements
- Reliability and Maintainability Improvement Team has been tasked with identifying initiatives that will increase operational availability (Ao) while reducing total ownership costs. Six projects have been identified, three of which are funded, including the air cycle machine and fuel sealant improvement projects.
- Computer Replacement Program (CRP) is replacing the central
computers, operator work stations, radar signal processors, LAN, and
related peripheral equipment in the first 10 operational aircraft.
The CRP was initiated to reduce TOC and avoid restrictions due to
diminishing manufacturing sources. Maximum reliance is being placed
on commercial and non-developmental items.
Besides reducing TOC, the CRP is resulting in 50% or greater improvement in subsystem MTBF.
- Modifications to the air cycle machine (ACM) and fuel control valve (FCV) improve the subsystem MTBF from <100 hours to 448 hours and result in cost avoidances exceeding $1M/year
- Modifications to the engine pressure regulator (the second highest maintenance R&M driver) will reduce system failures and reduce TOC
- Improvements in the engine diffuser case and engine thrust, implemented via a Component Improvement Program, increased engine thrust by 1000 pounds per engine and reduced engine fuming incidents
- Fuel tank reseal will reduce mission hour lost for fuel leaks; if successful, the savings could be equivalent to adding one additional aircraft to the fleet.
- Reduced supply chain response times, leading to reduced spares, system support footprint, and depot needs
- Competitive sourcing of product support, leading to streamlining and overhead reductions
- Joint STARS has been designated a Total System Support
Responsibility (TSSR) program. All sustainment efforts are
integrated under a single contractor, NG, who is
required to integrate its own, subcontractor and depot sustainment
efforts.
. A 6-year, cost plus award fee/award term contract was awarded in September 00. 100% of the fee is determined by meeting or exceeding award fee provisions. The contract provides incentives for integrated sustainment management; 18% of the award term is controlled by R-TOC factors.
- With TSSR, although there is a single integrating contractor, competition at the subcontractor level will put downward pressure on product support costs.
- To carry out its responsibilities under the TSSR contract, NGC is developing the JSTARS Cost and Performance System (J-CAPS), which will provide the analysis tools, data, and products to manage and track the performance of the Joint STARS support system. J-CAPS consists of an integrated data repository that hosts a comprehensive assortment of system performance and cost data, linked to a series of established models and tools to effectively assess and analyze system sustainment. Besides tracking the impacts on the program of R-TOC proposals and budget decisions, the J-CAPS will provide a capability to analyze R-TOC alternatives and help in setting annual contract performance targets.
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