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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
FY97 Annual Report

F-15 TACTICAL ELECTRONIC WARFARE SYSTEM (TEWS)
(AN/ALQ-135 BAND 1.5)

	Air Force ACAT III Program Total program cost (TY$) $317M Average unit cost (TY$) $1.938M Full-rate production 1QFY00 Prime Contractor Northrop Grumman

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The F-15 TEWS AN/ALQ-135 Band 1.5 contributes to full-dimensional protection by improving individual aircraft probability of survival through improved air crew situation awareness of the radar guided threat environment, cueing of both active and passive counter measures in Band 1.5 frequency spectrum, and waveform select feature for jamming optimization against specific threats. The F-15 TEWS consists of the AN/ALR-56C radar warning receiver (RWR), the AN/ALQ-135 internal countermeasures set (ICS), the AN/ALQ-128 electronic warfare warning set, and the AN/ALE-40/45 countermeasures dispenser. The TEWS provides electronic detection and identification of both surface and airborne threats. In addition, it allows for activation of appropriate countermeasures to include electronic jamming and dispensing of expendables such as chaff and flares.

Integral to the F-15 TEWS, the ALQ-135 ICS is an internally mounted responsive jammer designed to counter surface to air threats with minimum air crew activity. The system is sized to fit into the limited space of the F-15E interdiction aircraft's ammunition bay although upgraded components have also been retrofitted into the F-15C air superiority variant. The system has an improved reprogramming support capability to rapidly change pre-flight message (PFM) software in response to changing threat parameters and mission requirements. The ALQ-135 ICS has been fielded in several phases to provide incremental improvements to jamming coverage. Phase one has provided an initial Band 3 capability that includes integrated operation with both the F-15E fire control radar and the ALR-56C RWR. ALQ-135 ICS Band 3 capability currently allows full interoperability and robust jamming techniques against modern pulse Doppler radar. Full system capability requires the installation and integration of Band 1.5 hardware to provide coverage against threats operating in the lower frequency range.

The ALQ-135 is an outgrowth of an early 1980's feasibility demonstration and follow-on quick reaction capability (QRC) high band jammer developed to counter rapidly changing threats. Developmental problems precipitated a restructuring of the ALQ-135 ICS program in 1988 to provide incremental capabilities. A TEWS EOA of the Phase I Band 3 ICS was planned in July 1989 to support F-15E IOC. However, technical problems delayed EOA start until July 1990. Fifteen sorties were flown against threat simulators on the Eglin AFB, FL range complex in air-to-air and air-to-ground mission scenarios. The ICS demonstrated the capability to identify and counter most current threats in a limited density environment, but the test indicated additional software and hardware development was needed to achieve desired operational capabilities.

AFOTEC was directed to conduct an interim TEWS OA to characterize the operational capabilities and limitations of the fielded systems and assess readiness for IOT&E. The OA concluded in September 1994 recommended five ALQ-135 improvements: interoperability with the APG-70 radar; system response times; built-in-test (BIT) displays; BIT accuracy; and low band frequency coverage for the F-15E (i.e., Band 1.5).

FOT&E operations conducted by the United States Air Force Air Warfare Center (USAFAWC) concluded in August of 1996, addressed ALQ-135 Band 3 ICS interoperability with the APG-70 radar and improvements in the BIT displays. The USAFAWC is currently conducting FOT&E at the Multi-Spectral Threat Environment (MSTE) range located at Eglin AFB to evaluate intra-flight (wing man) compatibility, the advanced threat de-interleave processor (for improved system response times), and jamming effectiveness and BIT upgrades.

An ALQ-135 Band 1.5 TEMP is in the review process and expected to be finalized in November 1997.

Band 1.5 integration into the ALQ-135 ICS will extend frequency coverage into the lower bands of the electromagnetic spectrum complementing Band 3 frequency coverage. COIs anticipated for Band 1.5 integration include:

• Does the Band 1.5 system provide effective threat countermeasures to reduce threat lethality in its intended operational environment?

• Is Band 1.5 system interoperable with TEWS and compatible with the F-15E operational environment?

• Does the operational readiness of the Band 1.5 system support 5-15E mission requirements?

Band 1.5 integrated system demonstration is currently scheduled for May 1998 time period with DT&E scheduled for May 1998 through October 1998. IOT&E is scheduled for November 1998 through May 1999.

DOT&E staff will continue to monitor and participate in test planning activities through attendance of ALQ-135 Band 1.5 TPWGs. DOT&E staff will review for approval finalized versions of the ALQ-135 Band 1.5 TEMP and OTP prior to commencement of the OT.

Test planning has been delayed in part due to change over of key personnel in the planning chain and transition of Responsible Test Organization (RTO) responsibilities from Eglin AFB to Edwards AFB. At the time of this writing, a resurgence of test planning activity has occurred. Although no operational test for Band 1.5 equipment has occurred to date, an adequate test program is being structured for the Band 1.5 transmitters. All major effectiveness and suitability performance parameters will be evaluated. The focus of testing will include:

• Testing against a variety of available airborne and ground based threats

• Operating Band 1.5 equipment with aircraft systems and jointly during mult-ship formations

• Operating Band 1.5 equipment concurrently with other F-15 TEWS systems, e.g. Band 3 jamming equipment

The program intends to follow the predict-test-compare methodology by utilizing modeling and simulation (M&S) and ground test facilities to minimize risk and optimize open air tests. Ground test facilities will be utilized to create unique and dense signal environments that could not otherwise be found on open air test ranges. Thirty flight tests missions are currently scheduled in support of DT&E. Preliminary risk reduction will be conducted utilizing the Air Force's Multi-Spectral Threat Environment facility. 35 additional flight test missions will be flown in support of IOT&E. Flight test missions for both DT&E and IOT&E will be conducted primarily at the Western Test Range (WTR). China Lake will be utilized for threats not available on the WTR.