sentry aloha exercise

By Maj. Alexandar Brannon,

AATC Director of the Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Division

During a recent exercise, the Air National Guard/Air Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) conducted a Force Development Evaluation (FDE) on the HC-130J Ku/Ka Communications Suite, which adds a multi-band, resilient Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) SATCOM capability to access the hybrid space architecture. FDEs evaluate production representative systems and typically produce a test report with a fielding recommendation.

AATC is responsible for conducting operational and developmental assessments, devising tactics, and evaluating all weapons systems within the Air Reserve Component (ARC) for several military airframes, including the HC-130J and the HH-60G.

The design of this system is inherently resilient against enemy electromagnetic warfare capabilities seeking to deny access to communications within the battlespace. It can access satellite internet services in either proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO), Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), or Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) simultaneously, whether operating in Ku or Ka-bands. The system can aggregate received bandwidth and auto-switch between Ku and Ka, allowing uninterrupted service.

This test is a significant step towards delivering SIPRnet on board the HC-130J, unlocking features typically only available in an Air Operations Center. These include JREAP-C (BLOS Link-16), Tactical Chat (Chatsurfer), CSEL Web Application, and PACAF Guidance Packages (ATO/ACO/SPINS). 

Our primary focus is to enhance the survivability of the Isolated Person and recovery forces and bolster the Air Force's ability to execute resilient-basing options through Agile Combat Employment (ACE). We envision this technology revolutionizing the long-range kill chain through compatibility with the Air Force's Advanced Battle Management System's (ABMS) Aerial Networking efforts, which will link every sensor to every shooter across a unified domain. The HC-130J, in addition to continuing its CSAR mission, will significantly increase lethality within the battlespace through collaborative technologies.

The Sentry Aloha exercise served as the ideal large-force exercise (LFE) to test emergent technologies while executing high-end combat representative scenarios. The exercise directors and personnel, particularly those working on the command and control architecture within the 613th Air Operation Center, were instrumental in making our test framework a reality. Their insights on "best practices" for the USINDOPACOM theater were invaluable. 

The Pacific maritime environment and the significant distances between operating locations provided the perfect test bed for BLOS systems. LFEs like this are crucial for the US Air Force to maintain a competitive advantage, and we are grateful for the support we received.

We fostered a strong partnership with the joint, total force and industry to bring this test to fruition. Our team, which included the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), R4 Integration, Sierra Nevada Corp, AATC, 129th Rescue Wing, Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE), AFLCMC WIU, GMRE, and 613th AOC PRCC personnel, worked in unison. 

AATC particularly wants to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our 129th Rescue Wing leaders and the aircrew who bravely volunteered for these missions. R4's team seamlessly integrated two roll-on/roll-off BLOS SATCOM systems, while JCSE's battlefield communicators ensured secure data encryption/decryption for SIPRnet on board the HC-130J. Sierra Nevada Corporation and our program office sent experts to integrate our newly modified Link 16 terminals into our situational awareness suite for SIPRnet on-board use.

Overall, from May 29 - June 12, the team conducted approximately nine flying events, an estimated 45 flight hours, 3 CSAR Scenarios, 4 Defensive Counter-Air vulnerability window exercises, and 24 hours of ground testing during Sentry Aloha.