The Air Force is looking to upgrade the Battle Control System-Fixed (BCS-F) that provides NORAD with comprehensive air surveillance and the ability to carry out command and control missions. Specifically, officials at Hanscom AFB, Mass., want to be able to process new data sets, including from the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, which would improve accuracy by providing additional aircraft details, according to a 66th Air Base Group release. “For instance, if we saw a stuck track, we’d have the ability to pull up the emitter category of the aircraft to see if it’s a helicopter instead of tasking resources to get a visual confirmation,” said 1st Lt. Dylan Byrd, a launch deputy project manager, according to the release. Updates to the tactical display framework and alerts and track history function will also be made. A request for proposal is expected near the end of Fiscal 2017. In the meantime, the BCS-F is being enhanced to reduced identification track swaps, extend effective coverage, and reduce target dropouts, according to the release.
A new F-35 training group graduated its first batch of two Polish pilots May 9, with more on the way from Poland, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, and other partners. The 85th Fighter Group was reactivated at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark. last July to help other F-35 buyers prepare…