Date of Award

3-2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

First Advisor

Curtis H. Spenny, PhD

Abstract

The multi-mission aircraft (MMA) technical feasibility study looked at the replacement of the aging fleet of C-135 and C-130 theater based command & control (C2) and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) fleet. It is proposed that the MMA be out-fitted to combine some or all the functions of existing AWACS, JSTARS, RIVET JOINT, COMPASS CALL, and ABC CC platforms. It would also have links to other manned or unmanned ISR aircraft, as well as satellites. The objective of the proposed design study is to examine the technical risks involved in combining multiple functions onto one aircraft that currently reside on separate aircraft. This thesis specifically focused on the risks that are due to electromagnetic interference between transmitters and interference between active and passive sensors. Two architectures were examined: one tail number (OTN) and different tail number (DTN). The OTN architecture was found to be incompatible due to interference between the air moving target indicator transmit and high band receive functions, whereas, the DTN was found to be compatible for all variant architectures.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GAI-ENY-03-01

DTIC Accession Number

ADA412691

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