Combat Training Ranges

Combat Training Ranges falls under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) Budget Activity 3600 of the Air Force. The program aims to provide electronic warfare equipment and support to Air Force combat training ranges for training, testing, and evaluation of aircrews. This includes the development and integration of aircraft pods, radar emitters, communication jammers, command and control capabilities, and instrumentation equipment to support USAF aircraft for Joint, Coalition, and Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training events. Additionally, the program focuses on modernizing range threat systems to enhance combat training relevancy and capabilities. It also aims to develop a node-based enterprise called Live Mission Operations Capability (LMOC) that integrates all range system capabilities in a multi-level secure environment to enable blended live-synthetic training for 4th/5th generation aircraft and aircrew.

Furthermore, the program includes efforts such as the Advanced Radar Threat System (ARTS), which involves designing, developing, and testing threat systems based on replicating advanced foreign fielded Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) radar and Electronic Warfare (EW) threat systems. The ARTS variants are intended for use at Department of Defense (DoD) test and training ranges for aircrew training and tactics development. The program also focuses on developing the P6 Combat Training System (P6CTS), which aims to replace existing pods used for training exercises between 4th and 5th generation platforms. These efforts are part of the broader goal to provide comprehensive, realistic training environments for 4th Gen - 5th Gen aircraft systems.

Overall, the program's objectives include leveraging digital acquisition tenets of open, agile, and digital to develop advanced electronic warfare equipment that supports realistic combat training scenarios for Air Force personnel. It also emphasizes collaboration with other weapon systems to reduce redundant costs between systems with similar subsystem requirements. The program's funding supports ongoing development efforts aimed at meeting validated requirements prior to full-rate production.