PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC
Network-centric warfare system in C-130 will demonstrate roll-on/roll-off capability
The US Navy's Navair Command plans to migrate its Hairy Buffalo network-centric warfare flying laboratory, including fibre-optic backbone, to a Lockheed Martin C-130 testbed by September, with the aim of demonstrating a rapid roll-on/roll-off intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) configurable system independent of platform type.
Hairy Buffalo 2 will follow on from network experiments already done using the Lockheed Martin NP-3C testbed by repackaging sensor, communication and mission systems into a palletised and podded configuration. "The C-130 will show it is a scalable, flexible, open system and interoperable," says Cdr Ron Carvalho, Hairy Buffalo project manager.
The main elements will comprise a command, control, communications and computer (C4) shelter being constructed by BAE Systems, which will house up to six operator positions. The 6m (20ft) shelter is designed to be installed on any C-130 transport, or alternatively can be rolled off and operated from the ground using a tactical common datalink. The operator positions are designed to be swapped out according to the mission.
Lockheed Martin is developing the Samson underwing pod to host multiple sensors tailored to missions such as time-critical targeting, ISR hard target location and search and rescue. Payloads include electro-optical, infrared, synthetic aperture radar/moving target indicator, electronic support measures, specific emitter location, hyper-spectral imaging and chemical, biological and radiation detection sensors.
Navair wants the shelter and pod systems designed to roll-on and off a C-130 in around 12h, compared to only about half the amount of equipment on the P-3 that can be quickly removed. Cdr Carvalho sees C4ISR applications for the system with homeland defence as well as the US Department of Defense. The aircraft has been earmarked for the follow-on Giant Shadow 2 exercise now in early stages of planning.
Source: Flight International
