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KC-135 to gain communications relay capability

Air Mobility Command

May 16, 2003

By Maj. Rich Curry 507th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AMCNS) -- While predominantly known as a "flying gas station," the KC-135 aircraft has served in many mission roles throughout its 45-plus years of service.

The aircraft has been flown as a flying command post, an observation platform in compliance with the Open Skies Treaty, a zero gravity simulator, and even more recently as a flying hospital.

In addition to maintaining its air refueling capability, this flying workhorse will soon add communications relay station to its capability list. With the installation of ROBE, or Roll-On Beyond-line-of-sight Enhancement equipment, the Stratotanker will be equipped with the capability to facilitate point-to-point data streaming of information while conducting its primary mission of air refueling.

"One of the goals for Air Force transformation is the better integration of military assets," said Lt. Gen. John Baker, Air Mobility Command vice commander. "The 'smart tanker concept,' which expands the air-refueling mission by including an additional role as a communications platform, is a perfect fit. We directed this transformation effort to increase the use and effectiveness of our tankers because they are always in the area of operations refueling fighters, bombers and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets in support of the joint forces commander. The AOR is a place where moving critical information is crucial to rapid targeting and enhancing the situational awareness of our aircrews, regardless of military service."

The ROBE system is roughly the size of the small, 2-foot-by-4-foot galley already in the tanker and is strapped to the floor of the aircraft similar to any other pallet. ROBE is the first in a family of Scalable, Modular, Airborne Relay Terminals that will be used aboard tankers. The SMART system could also be used on other platforms, such as unmanned and ground- or sea-based vehicles, said officials at the Air Force Command and Control and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center at Langley AFB, Va.

Initially ROBE will be a data relay that will allow line-of-sight/beyond-line-of-sight communication among network members. Officials said the objective is to connect battle directors in an air and space operations center with those en route to or in a theater of operations.

As seen in Operation Iraqi Freedom, information superiority is as important as air superiority. Making rapid, accurate battle decisions requires up-to-the-second information.

"If you're doing any combat operations, guess who's always going to be there? Our tankers," General Baker said. "If we put a ROBE system on our tankers, knowing they will always be there, it will provide that over-the-horizon capability we need. The ROBE system will boost a signal to and from every friendly force in the theater, whether it's a Joint STARS, AWACS, F-16, F-22 or even aircraft carriers, without using a satellite."

But make no doubt about it, General Baker said, "A tanker will always be a refueler. It will only be tasked to do refueling. All the discussion regarding ROBE is that it will have zero impact on our refueling missions. The ROBE capability is just something to be placed on the aircraft that will be transparent to the crew. Our refueling aircraft are too valuable to park out there (in orbit) and only use as relay platforms."