Smart Tankers: A Theory for Multi-Tasking Aircraft

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Multi-tasking weapons systems has become the new Air Force standard, and the air refueling tanker is one of the first to be adapted to the new paradigm. The Air Force is in the early stages of developing a capability for the KC-135 tanker that will allow it to perform command and control duties as a digital data link relay platform. This is only the first step in multi-tasking air refueling tankers that will culminate in the SMART (Scalable, Multifunction, Automated Relay Terminals) tanker. The SMART tanker will be a gateway that allows theater commanders to directly communicate with fielded forces via their individual data links and act as an interpreter, connecting legacy links that are not interoperable. The SMART tanker enables such connectivity beyond normal line-of-sight limitations. Additionally, the SMART tanker will field sensors to augment dedicated intelligence platforms all the while maintaining its core capability of air refueling. This thesis explores the ramifications of multi-tasking, specifically, multi-tasking tankers with a C2ISR (command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) mission. In short, what happens when one weapons platform serves two masters? The SMART C2ISR and refueling missions are both of growing importance to modern warfare. Ever since Korea, air refueling has proven itself critical to the effective employment of airpower. Without refueling, range, loiter time, payload, and sortie rates would decrease. Likewise, C2ISR is also growing in importance, particularly the aspect affected by SMART tankers: digital data links. Links provide for more quality communications, increased battlespace situational awareness and more responsive command and control. Vietnam provides an excellent case study on how the Air Force attempted in the 1960s what it is proposing to do now: combine command and control missions with air refueling on a KC-135. The literature does not contain a history of the command and control system that