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Team accelerates test, delivers B-1B close-air support capability to warfighter

  • Published
  • By Kate Blais
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
A developmental test team from Edwards partnered with an operational test team from Texas to accelerate testing and deliver a mission-critical capability to the warfighter - B-1B bombers can now find and strike moving targets in close air support of ground troops even quicker than before.

Merging developmental and operational testing to consolidate resources on a compressed timeline, the 419th Flight Test Squadron and Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force and the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron from Dyess AFB, Texas, worked to ensure that the B-1 upgrade was ready for combat operations by January 2012.

The 419th FLTS and 337th TES conducted a series of tests that culminated Nov. 15, completing Laptop Controlled Targeting Pod Phase II.

"During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, it became clear that the B-1 needed an additional capability to support close air support scenarios," said Christina Ryskey, project lead engineer and B-1 targeting pod engineer, 419th Flight Test Squadron and Bomber Combined Test Force.

That capability came in the form of Laptop Targeting Pod Phase I.

"The first phase integrated a targeting pod, but still required the weapons system operator to manually enter any coordinates derived from the targeting pod," explained Maj. David Marten, B-1 flight commander and project pilot, 419th FLTS. "This only allowed the pod to be useful on stationary targets."

Although Phase I allowed the B-1 to interface with the targeting pod, it proved to be a limited capability, as there was no hand-off of information from the pod back to the airplane. Although coordinates were derived from the pod, manually entering the data increased time and decreased the B-1's ability to strike a moving target.

Solution: LCTP Phase II.

"Now with the second phase, we not only have the ability to complete the loop of the targeting pod, but also include the ability to drop laser targeted bombs from the B-1," said Lt. Col. Hans Miller, 419th FLTS commander and Bomber Combined Test Force director. "So not only can I track and identify the targets on the ground, I can strike  ground targets moving at low and high speeds. That is a crucial capability that we have with this upgrade."

A completed communication loop between the plane and the targeting pod, which allows for direct importation of coordinates, shortens the kill chain, which is a significant increase to capability in the field, said Marten.

"Guys on the ground calling for air support will get their bombs faster and with more precision," he said.

"If we're told that there's a target in the vicinity, via ground troops, I can visually acquire with the pod, get exact location, directly import that information into the weapon system and attack it," explained Maj. Michael Jungquist, 419th FLTS, project weapons system officer. "The targeting pod tells the weapon exactly where to go and can refine the target with lasers in the pod. I'll be able to put weapons on a target, even if it wasn't where it was when I first started looking at it."

LCTP Phase II's self-lasing capability allows the B-1 to track targets, constantly update its coordinates and employ GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition.

"With Phase II, the B-1 gets as much precision as any close air support player, but now combined with global reach, large payload and long loiter time provided by a strategic bomber," said Marten.

In addition to favorable test results and upgraded capabilities, the planning and execution of the testing were important pieces to the puzzle because the time between test commencement to operational delivery was only 8 months.

"Another huge success of the November test was that it was a great example of integrated operational and developmental test," said Miller. "We worked on a compressed timeline and despite some issues that were found in a test, and corrections that were presented and fixed, we were able to still meet that fielding recommendation and deployment timeline so that this can get to the fight and be useable for combat crews going out next deployment."

Checking into the fight this January is a B-1 with more capabilities to support the joint service effort.

"We had a timeline to meet in order to better support troops on the ground," said Jungquist, "and we're making that happen."

Slide show

Team accelerates test, delivers B-1B close-air support capability to warfighter

  • Published
  • By Kate Blais
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
A developmental test team from Edwards partnered with an operational test team from Texas to accelerate testing and deliver a mission-critical capability to the warfighter - B-1B bombers can now find and strike moving targets in close air support of ground troops even quicker than before.

Merging developmental and operational testing to consolidate resources on a compressed timeline, the 419th Flight Test Squadron and Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force and the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron from Dyess AFB, Texas, worked to ensure that the B-1 upgrade was ready for combat operations by January 2012.

The 419th FLTS and 337th TES conducted a series of tests that culminated Nov. 15, completing Laptop Controlled Targeting Pod Phase II.

"During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, it became clear that the B-1 needed an additional capability to support close air support scenarios," said Christina Ryskey, project lead engineer and B-1 targeting pod engineer, 419th Flight Test Squadron and Bomber Combined Test Force.

That capability came in the form of Laptop Targeting Pod Phase I.

"The first phase integrated a targeting pod, but still required the weapons system operator to manually enter any coordinates derived from the targeting pod," explained Maj. David Marten, B-1 flight commander and project pilot, 419th FLTS. "This only allowed the pod to be useful on stationary targets."

Although Phase I allowed the B-1 to interface with the targeting pod, it proved to be a limited capability, as there was no hand-off of information from the pod back to the airplane. Although coordinates were derived from the pod, manually entering the data increased time and decreased the B-1's ability to strike a moving target.

Solution: LCTP Phase II.

"Now with the second phase, we not only have the ability to complete the loop of the targeting pod, but also include the ability to drop laser targeted bombs from the B-1," said Lt. Col. Hans Miller, 419th FLTS commander and Bomber Combined Test Force director. "So not only can I track and identify the targets on the ground, I can strike  ground targets moving at low and high speeds. That is a crucial capability that we have with this upgrade."

A completed communication loop between the plane and the targeting pod, which allows for direct importation of coordinates, shortens the kill chain, which is a significant increase to capability in the field, said Marten.

"Guys on the ground calling for air support will get their bombs faster and with more precision," he said.

"If we're told that there's a target in the vicinity, via ground troops, I can visually acquire with the pod, get exact location, directly import that information into the weapon system and attack it," explained Maj. Michael Jungquist, 419th FLTS, project weapons system officer. "The targeting pod tells the weapon exactly where to go and can refine the target with lasers in the pod. I'll be able to put weapons on a target, even if it wasn't where it was when I first started looking at it."

LCTP Phase II's self-lasing capability allows the B-1 to track targets, constantly update its coordinates and employ GBU-54 Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition.

"With Phase II, the B-1 gets as much precision as any close air support player, but now combined with global reach, large payload and long loiter time provided by a strategic bomber," said Marten.

In addition to favorable test results and upgraded capabilities, the planning and execution of the testing were important pieces to the puzzle because the time between test commencement to operational delivery was only 8 months.

"Another huge success of the November test was that it was a great example of integrated operational and developmental test," said Miller. "We worked on a compressed timeline and despite some issues that were found in a test, and corrections that were presented and fixed, we were able to still meet that fielding recommendation and deployment timeline so that this can get to the fight and be useable for combat crews going out next deployment."

Checking into the fight this January is a B-1 with more capabilities to support the joint service effort.

"We had a timeline to meet in order to better support troops on the ground," said Jungquist, "and we're making that happen."

Edwards provides care, opportunities for children aged six weeks through high school graduation

Edwards provides care, opportunities for childrenaged six weeks through high school graduation

The Child and Youth Program at Edwards AFB provides care and opportunities for kids ages six weeks old through high school graduation. A brief summary of those services follows:

  •                    The Child Development Center cares for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with a DOD-wide curriculum. The curriculum is focused on learning through play activities supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Installations across DOD follow the curriculum on the same timeline to allow seamless permanent change-of-station transitions for youth enrolled in care.
  •                    The School Age Center provides before and after-school care and summer camp for children ages 5 to 12. During school breaks, full-day camps are offered. SAC promotes cognitive, social, emotional, cultural, language and physical development through programs that encourage self-confidence, curiosity, self-discipline and resiliency.
  •                    The open recreation program at the Main Youth Center provides a safe space for ages 9 to 12 to attend after school. Programs include Power Hour, STEM, Torch Club, social recreation, youth camps, special events and more.
  •                    The youth sports program provides intro and league opportunities for ages 3 to 12, and promotes inclusiveness, self-discipline, commitment, resiliency and social skills. There are four sports offered annually for ages five to 12: baseball/softball, soccer, flag football and basketball. Smart start programs are available to ages 3 to 5. There are many other sports and camps offered throughout the year.
  •                    The Teen Center is available for ages 13 to 18 during the school year. Programs offered include Military Youth of the Year, Keystone Club, social recreation, STEM activities, college trips, leadership camps and more.
  •                    Youth programs (SAC, open rec and teen) are affiliated with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and 4-H.
  •                    Family Child Care homes – there are currently three FCC homes on the installation. They can provide care for ages two weeks to 12 years. FCC providers are trained by Child and Youth Program training and curriculum specialists and have the flexibility to determine their hours of operation and the ages of youth within their care. The program’s new dedicated manager, Jennifer Stegmann, may be reached at 661-275-7529.

Although CDC enrollment capacity is 317, not all slots are currently filled because of a shortage of childcare workers. School Age Center enrollment capacity is 156. After-school care enrollment is 130. Before-school care enrollment is 75. Summer Camp 2022 was at its capacity and enrollment for Summer Camp 2023 opens April 3.