U.S. Air Force's B-1B Bomber fleet is currently undergoing the most advanced software and hardware, as part of the Integrated Battle...
The supersonic swing-wing bomber will get several improvements aimed to provide B-1 aircrews with a higher level of situational awareness and a faster, secure digital communication link.
Sustainment-Block 16, or SB-16, includes significant upgrades to the B-1, including the Fully Integrated Data Link and Central Integrated Test System in the aft station and the Vertical Situation Display Upgrade in the front station.
Included under the umbrella of SB-16, the B-1 will also receive navigation, radar and diagnostic upgrades.
The VSDU upgrades the B-1's forward cockpit by replacing two unsupportable, monochrome pilot and co-pilot displays with four multi functional color displays, giving the pilots more situational awareness data in a user-friendly format.
The B-1 FIDL will give the aft cockpit new digital avionics including a Link 16 data link that adds line-of-sight capability to the B-1's existing beyond line-of-sight Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol data link and integrates the JREAP, data on to new, full-color displays with intuitive symbols and moving maps.
Weapon systems officers will receive full "QWERTY" keyboards and new controllers to interface with the integrated battle station software.
Furthermore, a new MIDS LVT-1 radio, using integrated battle station capabilities, brings the
B-1 into the Link-16 network, allowing the B-1 to send and receive text messages, imagery and mission assignments.
Unlike current messaging capabilities, fully integrated data link assignments will interface directly with the aircraft, allowing combat commanders the capability to send target sets directly to weapons onboard the B-1.
The CITS upgrade adds a new color display in the aft cockpit and replaces an obsolete computer that continuously monitors the aircraft's performance. It is used by flight and ground support personnel to identify and troubleshoot
B-1 system anomalies.
These three modifications fall under the Integrated Battle Station initiative, which is slated to be installed concurrently through 2019.
Developmental testing is scheduled to begin in April at Edwards AFB, California, while the 337th TES (Test and Evaluation Squadron) at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, that will conduct operational testing validating tactics needed to exploit new equipment and software is expecting its first fully modified B-1 later this year.
To test the new datalink capabilities, the 337th TES members are constructing a Link-16 network for use in local airspace. The squadron has spent nearly $1.5 million to create a control room capable of sending and receiving Link-16 and JREAP messages in addition to ultra-high frequency voice communications.
