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Show HILLTOP TIMES 2012 ESC working to upgrade the 'heart' of control, reporting center BY PATTY WELSH 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs H ANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. — The Electronic Systems Center is working to modernize the U.S. Air Force Control and Reporting Center and has recently put out a request for information to upgrade the CRC Operations Module. The CRC is a mobile command, control and communications radar element which provides a comprehensive air picture by integrating input from airand ground-based radars. It consists of several subsystems, including AN/TPS75 radar, a radio module, theater deployable communications unit module and the OM. "By using the CRC, war-fighters — in the sky and on the ground — are more easily able to conduct an air/land battle," said Robert Grudziecki, CRC deputy program manager. "By connecting to the other fine surveillance tools we have today, such as Joint STARS and AWACS, they are able to have a complete air picture in near real time." According to program officials, the OM is considered the "heart" of the CRC as it displays the information obtained from various sensors. The request for information is for an effort called the "C2 Engine Upgrade." The idea is to have the OM consist of a sustainable, off-the-shelf, open architecture technical configuration that not only upgrades the system but reduces the overall logistical footprint to the maximum degree possible. There are six main areas that are being looked at as part of the effort: Battle Management, Weapons Control, Surveillance, Combat Identification, Airspace SUPER BOWL FANS Top left, a patron enjoys the buffalo wings at The Landing. Top right, EJ Newbern gestures at the screen after a play to one of his friends. Newbern, 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, was at Hill Air Force Base while on temporary duty from Hurlburt Field, Fla. Above, Donny Davis, The Landing employee, draws names for prizes. Above right, patrons compete in a corn hole tournament held prior to the game. At right, bowlers finish up games earlier in the afternoon in order to add their names to the drawing for the TV monitor screen. MARY LOU GORNY Hilltop Times Management and Tactical Data Link Management. Any upgrades also need to ensure they can integrate new and emerging technologies when they become available and allow for net-centric operations. "The CRC sees thousands of tracks every day," said Grudziecki. "Although it has been very successful, we can't have any sort of antiquated equipment. We need to enhance the equipment — computers, software, radios — to ensure it is available when our war-fighters need it most." Although the CRC is considered very rugged and reliable, when the program began, it would take multiple aircraft to transport the CRC to its destination. Now, in its fourth generation, it is airand road- transportable. However, the program office is still looking to im- prove its mobility. "Currently, the CRC has 16 operator stations in four separate OMs," said Rod Rendina, program manager. "We are looking, with our partner at the Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill AFB, Utah, to see if all four are still needed and if there's a way we can put the stations themselves directly into the deployed environment." The request for information and information about industry days are available on FedBizOpps at https://www. fbo.gov . "These are exciting times," Grudziecki said. "As we look at modernizing the CRC, we are looking to industry to see what solutions can enhance it — what parts and pieces might already exist that can enhance its mission." See CRC I page 10 |