A USAF Boeing KC-135R refuels a flight of F-15C Eagles. (US Air Force)

The US Air Force (USAF) is seeking commercial satellite communications (satcom) options for its fleet of KC-135 aerial refuellers, with plans to allow these aircraft global, real-time access to the Pentagon’s classified and unclassified networks.

USAF officials issued an initial list of strategic requirements to industry for the KC-135 Commercial Satellite Communication Access to Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router (NIPR) and Secure Internet Protocol Router (SIPR) Networks (CANS) programme on 12 March. While programme officials at Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) are keeping details of the new CANS requirements under wraps, service leaders plan to hold an inaugural industry day for defence, satcom, and information technology companies looking to participate in the CANS programme, according to a 12 March solicitation.

The impetus for the CANS programme is to drive NIPR and SIPR connectivity to the wing and squadron level within AFMC, to “increase aircraft situational awareness communication, improve mission planning, … [and] to send flight or mission changes” to the onboard command-and-control (C2) node in near real-time, the 12 March solicitation stated.