Boeing [BA] completed a combined preliminary design (PDR) and critical design review (CDR) for the Air Force’s next-generation command and control system for strategic nuclear forces, according to a company statement.
The combined design reviews for the Family of Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T) validated design enhancements to add Presidential and National Voice Conferencing (PNVC) and covered engineering changes required to synchronize the terminals with changes on the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellites. Once operational, FAB-T will also relay the commands that control the AEHF and legacy Milstar constellations.
The June reviews occurred at the same time Boeing began “drops,” or internal software deliveries, that will enable new capability requirements that were added to the contract earlier this year. Boeing spokesman Richard Esposito said recently in an email the company completed internal software deliveries and is wrapping up software integration into the FAB-T terminal system.
Esposito said now that Boeing has completed the preliminary and critical design reviews, it will work on its system development and demonstration contract that will continue through 2014. Esposito said Boeing expects to complete a second round of over-the-air testing involving an on-orbit AEHF satellite in November. Esposito said Boeing also expects to enter Functional Qualification Testing in the spring of 2013 and to complete Functional Coverage Audit/Physical Configuration Audit in summer 2013, followed by additional flight tests.
Esposito said Boeing hopes to begin delivery of FAB-T engineering prototype models in February for use in flight test programs. Raytheon [RTN], the alternate source for FAB-T development, said it will demonstrate its FAB-T solution in the summer.
Under the current FAB-T program, Boeing is tasked with developing nuclear-survivable terminals capable of using multiple waveforms and communicating with both the AEHF and Milstar satellite constellations. These development terminals will operate in fixed and transportable ground installations and aboard B-2 and B-52 bombers, RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft and the E-4B National Airborne Command Post and E-6B “Take Charge and Move Out” aircraft fleets. The B-2 is developed by Northrop Grumman [NOC] while Boeing develops the B-52, RC-135, E-4B and E-6B.
The Air Force originally awarded the FAB-T production contract to Boeing over Raytheon in 2002, but became concerned Boeing wouldn’t be able to deliver, so it re-opened the competition, allowing Raytheon to get back in the FAB-T business.