Open 5th-Domain opened 2 years ago
PygmalionOfCyprus
commented
2 years ago Do we have any info at all on the All Weather Tracking Radar beyond that blurb? It's probably too much to hope for range info, bands, etc. but even just some estimates would go a long way.
5th-Domain
commented
2 years ago I'll see what i can find.
5th-Domain
commented
2 years ago I'll have to admit this one has got me stumped, i've multiple sources mentioning it but nothing on what it does or even a name.
"These designations refer to the frequencies and wavelengths of energy emitted by the radars. Higher frequencies will produce crisper imagery. Generally, a crisper, higher fidelity image means that the radar will provide greater discrimination capability. The L, S and X-Bands are the most commonly used for radars. The L-Band has the lowest frequency of the three, and can be used to track and classify airborne threats. S-Band is a higher frequency, and can be used for tracking, classification, fire-control and some discrimination. X-Band, the highest frequency, produces a high-fidelity image, can track many objects and provides a high degree of discrimination." [1]
L-Band Radars
• Upgraded Early
Warning (UEWR)
Radars
• Cobra Dane Radar
S-Band Radars
• AN/Spy-1 (Aegis)
X-Band Radars • AN/TPY-2 • Sea Based X-Band (SBX)
Given the above and what i've read today it's probably a cross between Sentry, Hawkeye, Wedgetail and THAAD CEC (AN/TPY-2 TMD-GBR), probably X-Band or multiple bands.
[1] https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/resources/mdaa-system-briefs/missile-defense-sensors/
5th-Domain
commented
1 year ago From the book Super Snoopers by Bob Archer "In addition, the intention is to develop and outfit all three aircraft with an onboard multi-function synthetic aperture radar, which will enhance the effectiveness of intelligence collection, detecting launches and tracking the flight trajectory of ballistic targets under cloudy conditions." [1]
[1] Super Snoopers, The Evolution and Service Career of the Specialist Boeing C-135 Series with the 55th Wing and Associated Units. By Bob Archer.
DB Selector
DB3K
DBID to Copy
.556 RC-135S Cobra Ball, United States, Air Force, 1970
Hypothetical
No
Name
RC-135S Cobra Ball, Baseline 6, 2020-
Country
United States
Service
Air Force
In Commission
2020-
Sensors
"Cobra Ball superseded Rivet Ball and Rivet Amber in 1969 and collects both optical and electronic data on ballistic missile activity. Its specialized equipment includes the long-range Medium Wave Infrared Array (MIRA) EO/IR sensor suite, all-weather tracking radar, and an advanced communications suite. Reconnaissance data is used to assess missile threats, evaluate missile performance, characterize adversary missiles, and analyze weapons testing and technology. Data also supports treaty verification and theater ballistic missile nonproliferation." [3], [12]
"FY20 launched Baseline 7 development, and flexible funding permits rapid, variant-specific mods in response to emerging/evolving threats. Baseline 7 upgrades will include Rivet Joint COMINT suite integration, digital electromagnetic signature direction finding, digital search, and SATCOM-aided target discrimination." [3]
1. Sensors/EW.
"FY20 procurement funding efforts will concentrate on the initiatives pertaining to completing the development, integration and fielding COBRA BALL Baseline 7 enhancements. Baseline 7 subsystem upgrades consist of, but are not limited to: FISINT Direction Finding and Digital Data Recording, Digital Search, and Target Discrimination via SATCOM, and the integration of the RIVET JOINT Baseline 11/12 communications intelligence (COMINT) suite." [8]
"The RC-135S, equipped with a sophisticated array of optical and electronic sensors, recording media, and communications equipment, is a national asset uniquely suited to provide America's leaders and defense community with vital information that cannot be obtained by any other source." [1]
"COBRA BALL All Weather Tracking Radar procures three modified radar sensors, one per aircraft, for installation into COBRA BALL aircraft to track missiles and other targets. This will allow detection and three dimensional (3D) tracking/position of targets (missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft) in all weather conditions. This will provide COBRA BALL with a stand-alone capability for Rest-of-World (ROW) target areas and enhance its Theater Missile Defense (TMD) capabilities. A continuing need exists for monitoring and exploitation of the proliferation of missiles and other weapons of mass destruction in ROW target areas. The collection of this data is mandatory for the timely Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) databases. The COBRA BALL airborne radar sensor will detect and track launches of ROW missile systems and other threats in all weather conditions. The requirement was validated by DIA, Intelligence Community (IC) Staff, and Strategic Reconnaissance Group (SRG) as stated in the 7 Dec 89 letter to AF/INXY, SRG Minutes of 14 Nov 89." [12]
Add All Weather Tracking Radar as mentioned in above extract. (I expect this is also modernised as with all baseline upgrades)
Upgrade Cobra Ball LATS #.328 to 3rd Generation given continuous updates to the aircraft and sensors.
Upgrade Cobra Ball RTOS #.330 to 3rd Generation given continuous updates to the aircraft and sensors.
Change Sensor Arc of Cobra Ball LATS #.328 from 360 to PMF2, PMF1, PMA2, PMA1, SMF1, SMF2, SMA1, SMA2.
Change Sensor Arc of Cobra Ball RTOS #.330 from 360 to PMF2, PMF1, PMA2, PMA1, SMF1, SMF2, SMA1, SMA2.
"Today sensors look out of both sides of the aircraft. They include the Textronbuilt Medium Wave Infrared Array (MIRA), which has long range optical and infrared surveillance devices. Also, there is the Multiple Tracking Optical System (MTOS) uses electro-optical and infrared radiometric sensors which assists later materials analysis of tracked missiles." [20]
2. Comms/Datalinks.
"Military satellite communications (SATCOM) experts at the Raytheon Co. will switch SATCOM terminals aboard the U.S. Air Force B-52 strategic bomber and RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft to the latest Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite under terms of a contract worth nearly a half-billion dollars. The AEHF satellite constellation relays relay secure communications for U.S., British, Canadian, Royal Netherlands, and Australian armed forces. AEHF is backward compatible with, and will replace, the older MILSTAR system and will operate at 44 GHz uplink in the EHF band, and 20 GHz downlink in the SHF band. AEHF uses the existing MILSTAR low- and medium-rate data signals that move information at 75 to 2,400 bits per second, and at 4.8 kilobits per second to 1.54 megabits per second. AEHF satellites, unlike MILSTAR, also can move data at rates as fast as 8.2 megabits per second." [11]
Mounts
N/A
Loadout Options
Other Changes
1. General Data.
2. Propulsion.
2.1. Engines
2.2. Type
2.3. Max Speed
3. Fuel
Sources
[1] https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104498/rc-135s-cobra-ball/ [2] The History of BIG SAFARI, Colonel Bill Grimes, USAF Retired [3] https://www.airforcemag.com/weapons-platforms/rc-135s/ [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CFM_International_CFM56 [5] https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/246122 [6] https://www.military.com/equipment/rc-135s-cobra-ball [7] https://theaviationgeekclub.com/three-usaf-rc-135s-cobra-ball-spy-planes-airborne-north-korea-launched-hwasong-15-icbm/ [8] https://www.dacis.com/budget/budget_pdf/FY20/PROC/F/DARP01_55.pdf [9] https://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/systems/tadil.htm [10] https://www.dacis.com/budget/budget_pdf/FY19/RDTE/F/0305207F_271.pdf [11] https://www.militaryaerospace.com/communications/article/14074966/satcom-terminals-nuclearhardened [12] https://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/systems/cobra_ball.htm [13] https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/defense-systems/rc-135s-cobra-ball/ [14] https://www.militaryaerospace.com/communications/article/14073779/commercial-satellites-military-satcom-tactical-networking [15] https://www.defensedaily.com/u-s-air-force-awards-raytheon-contract-worth-up-to-960-million-for-aehf-terminals/space/ [16] https://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/systems/taws.htm [17] https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/boeing-rc135/ [18] https://irp.fas.org/program/collect/cobra_ball.htm [19] https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/defense-systems/rc-135s-cobra-ball/ [20] https://www.key.aero/article/cobras-stare-usaf-rc-135-missile-tracking-missions [21] http://www.strategic-air-command.com/aircraft/command/rc135-command_planes.htm [22] http://www.fi-aeroweb.com/Defense/Budget-Data/FY2017/RC-135-Systems-USAF-RDT&E-FY2017.pdf