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Air Force Mission Support System (AFMSS)

The Air Force Mission Support System (AFMSS) provides automated mission-planning support for Air Force aircraft (fixed and rotary wing) and guided munitions. AFMSS will operate either as a stand-alone system, or linked with other command information systems, to aid the mission planner in selecting an optimal route through hostile territory. AFMSS is expected to significantly benefit command and control performance by enhancing information superiority for the warfighter and by providing unique capabilities in support of both precision engagement and dominant maneuver.

Aircraft Mission Planning is the creation of a flight plan which takes into account terrain, weather, aircraft performance capability and configuration. The planner must have the ability to plan weapon and/or cargo delivery, calculate fuel requirements, and assess the route based on known enemy threat location and type. In addition, a planner must be able to de-conflict flight routes with other aircraft, review, print and brief the mission plan to Command and download pertinent flight information to on-board aircraft avionics. The Air Force Mission Support Systems (AFMSS) provides all of this and more, through it's Family of mission planning products.

AFMSS consists of computer and software tools that support aircraft and weapon mission planning. AFMSS uses several different hardware versions, all comprising commercially available off-the-shelf components. For aircraft with electronic data transfer capability, aircraft-unique hardware peripherals are used to prepare data transfer devices for uploading mission information into aircraft computers. AFMSS core software is combined with tailored Aircraft/Weapon/Electronics modules to provide a Mission Planning System (MPS) for each aircraft type. Low observable aircraft also require a software module called Common Low Observable Autorouter (CLOAR) to plan routes that minimize exposure to threat systems. The outputs of AFMSS-based MPSs are combat mission folders (comprising maps, images, and flight information) and data transfer devices.

AFMSS, comprised of the Portable Flight Planning System (PFPS), the Mission Planning System (MPS) and the Portable Mission Planning System (PMPS), provides an integrated environment supporting all missions and aircraft. Mission planning tools include:

The AFMSS program began in 1990. An interim version, Block C1.5, is fielded for six USAF aircraft types. Block C2.0 software completed development in 2QFY97 and is currently undergoing operational test and evaluation (OT&E) for the following aircraft types: B-2, F-117, KC-135R, F-15E with AGM-130, B-52H, A-10, F-15 MSIP, C-27, EF-111, F-16C/D Block 40/50, C-130E/H, and C-130P/N. Block C2.1 software merges requirements of Air Force aircraft and those of the U.S. Special Operations Command into a common software version. Block C2.1 software is completing development and will undergo OT&E during FY98 on the following aircraft types: MC-130E, HH/MH-60G, C-17, B-1B, RC-135V/U, E-8, MC-130H, MH-53J, AC-130H, MC-130P, EC-130H, and AC-130U.

Special Focus areas include the Common Low Observable Auto Router (CLOAR) - and the integration of the CLOAR with AFMSS products. CLOAR provides autorouting and threat analysis capability to low observable airframes including F-111A, F-22 and the B-2.

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http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/afmss.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Saturday, January 09, 1999 10:27:01 AM