Combat Training Range Equipment
COMBAT TRAINING RANGES (CTR): Portfolio provides electronic warfare equipment and support to Air Force combat training ranges for training, testing, and evaluation of aircrews. Development and integration efforts include aircraft pods, radar emitters, advanced training radars, communication jammers, command and control and debrief capability, and instrumentation equipment. The portfolio will also research and develop analytical and information management, data management, digital environments, networks, facilities, and security infrastructure. All development efforts support USAF aircraft for Joint, Coalition, and Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) training events. ADVANCED RADAR THREAT SYSTEM Variant 3 (ARTS- V3): ARTS-V3 is developing the most advanced ground-based radars in the US inventory using digital active electronically scanned radar technology used to simulate the latest foreign peer adversary Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) radar and Electronic Warfare (EW) threat systems. ARTS-V3 systems are a critical part of the Operational Training and Test Infrastructure (OTTI) plan for developing future Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) for 5th/6th generation aircraft (F-35, B-21, F-47). ARTS-V3 systems are critical for Department of the Air Force test capabilities for validation of advanced airpower capabilities against threat-representative radar systems and validation of models used for the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE). ARTS Technology Development: Address the affordability training gap with government-owned, software-defined mobile emitters that increase threat density and realism of an integrated air defense network. Efforts include developing a technical data package, building prototypes, maturing production capabilities, and transitioning items for production. LIVE MISSION OPERATIONS CAPABILITY (LMOC): LMOC is a government-owned command system serving as the training range equivalent of an Air Operations Center (AOC). Connecting all CAF ranges through a secure, dedicated network backbone, LMOC utilizes a long-term, modular, and scalable architecture to enable real-time mission planning, execution, and debriefing.
FY2027 focuses on completing manufacture, integration, test, and delivery of the ARTS-V3 X-band in FY2027 and C-band in FY2028 in order to enable production start in FY2028. Integration efforts will focus on open air testing and achieving IOC at the Nevada Test and Training Range.
Read the FY2027 plan →FY2027 planned work In FY2027, the program office is continuing a rapid prototyping contract to build test articles for an affordable threat emitter design concept that has the potential to fulfill a set of current shortfalls in live-emitter training needs for the F-35 aircraft and other aircraft platforms at regional training ranges. Success of this effort will inform divestment decisions for aging legacy range emitters that are well beyond service life and facing significant sustainment obsolescence challenges and rising repair costs.
FY2026 to FY2027 change Nominal increase due to inflation.
FY2026 plans — current year In FY2026, the program office is initiating a rapid prototyping contract to build test articles for an affordable threat emitter design concept that has the potential to fulfill a set of current shortfalls in live-emitter training needs for the F-35 aircraft and other aircraft platforms at regional training ranges. Success of this effort will inform divestment decisions for aging legacy range emitters that are well beyond service life and facing significant sustainment obsolescence challenges and rising repair costs.
FY2027 planned work LMOC is continuing to utilize the agile software acquisition pathway and will continue iterative development to transition the LMOC Platform to a higher classification level capability by further developing and accrediting the Prism solution for Special Access Required programs, thereby meeting training and test requirements of USAF 4th and 5th Gen combat systems and communities.
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY2027 decrease due to results in software development delays required to meet Air Combat Command security architecture and multi-level security requirements.
FY2026 plans — current year LMOC utilizes the agile software acquisition pathway and will continue iterative development to transition the LMOC Platform to a higher classification level capability that meets training and test requirements of USAF 4th and 5th Gen combat systems and communities. This includes the use of fully automated proficiency-based training augmentations for debrief and data analysis at each combat system's wartime classification level which will dramatically increase the speed that combat units can gain combat proficiency and test units can adjudicate system capabilities prior to release to the CAF.
Funding continues support of the P6 Initial Operating Capability (IOC). By FY2028, there will be continued aircraft integration development on F-15/F-16 P6 requirements at Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR). Funding furthers development of Open-Air Battlespace Shaping (OABS) simulation integration, to include an internal mount…
Read the FY2027 plan →