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Grand Forks tanker helps Air Force achieve communications first

  • Published
A 319th Air Refueling Wing aircraft recently took part in a major milestone in the operational deployment of a next-generation communications capability.

The Grand Forks KC-135 was one of six aircraft from across the country that met in the skies above the Central United States Aug. 24 to conduct the first training flight of the Roll-on Beyond Line of Sight Enhancement communications system.

The ROBE system allows an air operations center, command-and-control and strike aircraft to share a near-real-time common digital picture of the battlefield, according to Capt. Colin Sindel, KC-135 weapons officer.

The 40 ROBE-equipped tankers in Air Mobility Command, which will continue in their primary mission of air refueling, can act as relays for critical battlefield information. Earlier this year, AMC designated the 319th as the lead wing for test and evaluation of the system. Grand Forks AFB is home to five ROBE-equipped aircraft.

“A ROBE tanker will serve as a data link relay platform shortening the decision cycle in the kill chain,” said Captain Sindel.

The Aug. 24 flight was just one of several that will occur prior to the ROBE’s flight developmental evaluation in late September. Based on a successful outcome in the FDE, Captain Sindel expects the system to begin operational deployment. He added that the recent test flight was an important move in that direction.

“This was definitely a huge step forward,” Captain Sindel said. “The system worked and we were able to successfully link up and pass data between the other aircraft and the Western Air Defense Sector.”