Page 55 - Leverage and Learn_Neat

Leverage Allied Investments and Combat Learning Experience in Modernizing the U.S. Military

It is also part of the new air combat systems, which are software upgradeable and capable of multi-tasking.

When I interviewed 2nd Squadron at Williamtown Airbase during my first visit to Williamtown, the squadron
operating Wedgetail, the Squadron Commander underscored the challenge of understanding software
upgradeability:

“This is a software upgradeable aircraft with a defined launch point (IOC) but no fixed end point (FOC). The
system will always be evolving and growing as the software code gets rewritten to reflect events and
demands from the squadron.

The squadron works through its experience and shapes change orders, which get sent to the procurement
authorities to sort out priorities for the next round of upgrading the aircraft.”

The difference between older and such a new system was outlined by one participant during the visit as
follows:

“We have in the same time frame bought a CRC system full up which will look pretty much like it is in 20
years; with Wedgetail it will look nothing like it does now in 20 years.”

This process of upgrading means that the software engineers work closely with the operators in shaping the
evolution of the aircraft.
This is a very different approach from legacy systems.

As Paul Kalafos, Vice President of Surveillance Systems at Northrop Grumman has put it:

“We are getting significant feedback from the RAAF on deployment and requests to automate tasks where
possible to enhanced the capability of the machine part of the man-machine relationship to shape a way
ahead.
"A lot of the input is through the ARCS working group, which is a collaborative study environment involving
Boeing, Northrop Grumman, MIT/Lincoln Labs, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), CEA
Technologies, Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and
the Common Wealth of Australia (CoA).
"Operational requirements come out of that process and shape the next increment of software development.

"The ARCS is focused on problems and their resolutions.

"These are software updates.

"We get a software refresh out about once a year.

"Six months are spent doing the study to shape the plausible change; and the next six months are spent doing
the integration and then getting it out the door.
"We shed the specs in favor of resolving problems, which the operational community identified.

"They can even write recommended change requests as well which provides part of the demand side process.”

Question: When I last visited Wedgetail you had not operate it in combat. Now you have.

How has it performed?

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