Mission Planning Systems

Mission Planning Systems encompasses two key efforts: Precision Aerial Delivery Systems (PADS) and Mission Planning Systems (MPS) Modernization. PADS serves as the primary airdrop mission planning system for precision guided ballistic airdrop missions, enabling high-altitude airdrop delivery to forward ground forces while mitigating exposure to surface threats. The FY24 funding for PADS includes software upgrades to enhance accuracy for airdrops and enable single-pass capability for enhanced survivability. On the other hand, MPS is a computer-based flight planning software and hardware program that integrates intelligence, weather, weapons, aircraft performance, and real-time threat data into flight management systems. The FY24 funding for MPS Modernization supports the development of planning software to enable new Operational Flight Program (OFP) driven capabilities and enhancements to support on-aircraft federated mission systems.

The specific objectives of the PADS effort include supporting high-altitude, precise airdrop delivery of cargo and resources to ground forces while mitigating surface-to-air threats, developing single-pass airdrop capability to enhance survivability, and enabling control of Army-developed aerial delivery systems. Additionally, the MPS Modernization project aims to migrate mission planning capabilities into a services-based open architecture by delivering JMPS Open Mission Systems (JOMS) environment for mission planning supporting Combat Air Forces (CAF) and Mobility Air Forces (MAF). This includes the development, test, and support of Mission Planning Environments (MPEs) to support combat and mobility aircraft, as well as training aircraft and all Common Component (CCs) software tools for mission requirements.