E-10 MC2A

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E-10 MC2A Shown in E-10A Configuration

The Northrop Grumman E-10 MC2A is a military aircraft currently under development as replacement for the Boeing 707 based E-3 Sentry, E-8 Joint STARS, and RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft in US service. It is based on a 767-400ER airframe. In 2003, the Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Raytheon MC2A Team was awarded a $215 million pre-SDD (System Design and Development) contract for the development of the aircraft. A contract for a Testbed Development Program (TDP) to demonstrate key technologies is currently under negotiation with expected award at the end of 2006.

While the Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS aircraft are a recent development they will be the last such type to be based on the 707. To install the high technology systems envisaged for the MC2A on an increasingly obsolete airframe would not provide the capability required. The availability of powerful and reliable turbofans allowed a twinjet to be considered.

MC2A is a temporary designation, which stands for Multi-Sensor Command and Control Aircraft. The MC2A is intended to be the ultimate theater-wide combat control center.

In August 2003 Air International reported that the goal of integrating air- and ground-search radars on a single airframe has been abandoned. Electronic interference between the AESA and ground-surveillance radars as well as the power requirements for both systems is cited as the reason. Instead the USAF will operate two separate E-10 fleets which will integrate with the proposed Space-Based Radar system, air and space-based ELINT/SIGINT assets, and space-based IMINT satellites. It will be the central command authority for all air, land, and sea forces in a combat theater. The E-10 may also be utilized as a command center for unmanned combat air vehicles.

The capability of the MC2A is to be raised incrementally, with each phase known as a "spiral."

Spiral 1 - Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP)
This version will provide substantial Joint Cruise Missile Defense (CMD) capability with focused AMTI modes and augment the E-8 Joint STARS in the ground surveillance role.
Spiral 2 - AWACS Capability
This version should replace the E-3. It is expected that the Spiral 2 version will utilise a variant of the Boeing Wedgetail's Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array.
Spiral 3 - SIGINT Platform
This version will replace the wide range of SIGINT/ELINT aircraft. No current plans exist to develop this version.

[edit] Scale-back

In January, 2006, the Air Force FY07 budget request revealed a reshaping of the E-10 program, with the cancellation of the E-10A SDD program, but maintained funding for the development and testing of a single demonstration aircraft, now known as the E-10A Technology Development Program (TDP).^[1] The TDP will flight test the MP-RTIP Wide-Area Surveillance (WAS) radar, and conduct flight demonstrations of the E-10A's Cruise Missile Defense (CMD) Capability. The SDD elimination is designed to be a cost cutting measure and is part of a larger reorganization and redefinition of the Air Force's mission that includes the retirement of the E-4B and F-117 fleets, as well as the elimination of all but 58 B-52s. The USAF will conduct an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) to determine the eventual E-10 SDD aircraft configuration and program development plan. The USAF has zeroed funding for the E-10 project in its FY2008 budget submittal due to overall USAF budget pressures but is maintaining funding for the MP-RTIP radar. The project is currently funded through FY2007 and it is unknown at this time if the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) will reinstate funds in the FY2008 budget for the program.

The smaller version of the MP-RTIP AESA radar designed to be flown on the RQ-4B Global Hawk is being flight tested on the Scaled Composites Proteus aircraft.

[edit] References

^ "Boeing Polishes 737 Design For EP-3 Replacement : Mixed Signals." Fulghum, D. A. and Wall, R. Aviation Week & Space Technology. January 29, 2006.