Old Airframe with New Engines and New Systems for New Customers

Brian A. Kish, Joint STARS Test Force, Melbourne, FL, USA
Ken Verderame, Joint STARS Test Force, Melbourne, FL, USA
Jeff Nickerson, Joint STARS Test Force, Melbourne, FL, USA
Jeff Dillard, Joint STARS Test Force, Melbourne, FL, USA
Sean Musil, Joint STARS Test Force, Melbourne, FL, USA
Jeff Koss, Joint STARS Test Force, Melbourne, FL, USA

Abstract

The Joint STARS test aircraft was modified with new engines, a new EO/IR sensor, and new computers. In addition, the radar software and navigation hardware were upgraded to enable a new maritime mode. These upgrades could expand the missions of this 707 platform from the cold-war Fulda Gap scenarios to new mission areas like customs & border protection as well as naval surveillance.

In August 2010, the Joint STARS test aircraft took the first-ever on-board images with the MS-177 EO/IR sensor. For the first time in history, Joint STARS crewmembers were able to identify targets cued from the APY-7 radar in real-time. In November 2010, the Joint STARS test force deployed to Arizona and flew six test missions along the United States / Mexico border. There, they were able to track various forms of border crossings.

In January 2011, the Joint STARS test aircraft performed missions in ocean areas south of the United States and detected maritime activities never seen before. These successful flight tests and demonstrations opened up Joint STARS to multiple possible new first customers: The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Navy, and local law enforcement. In addition, Joint STARS offered proven, tangible results when compared to other C2ISR concepts.