US Air Force glimpses future of BLoS communication for B-52s
B-52H Stratofortresses could operate the IRIS BLoS communications solution in future. (Photo: USAF/Airman 1st Class Jesse Jenny)
A new BLoS capability is on the horizon for USAF strategic bombers.
Outerlink Global Solutions revealed on 11 July that it recently executed the first airborne demonstration of its IRIS BLoS communications solution aboard a USAF B-52H Stratofortress flying from Barksdale AFB.
IRIS was paired with an Iridium Certus terminal for the demonstration ‘to provide constant communication and reporting’, Outerlink noted in a statement. A ground-based C2 team assessed how IRIS transferred voice, data and imagery from the B-52.
Executed through the AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract, the flight demonstration was designed to test the feasibility of using Outerlink’s COTS system that would tie the B-52 into a global satellite architecture for unimpeded coverage.
Lt Col Andrew Embry, CO of the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, said: ‘The IRIS system is the solution that we need in order to equip the warfighter for today’s fight.’
The Iris system has already been adopted by rotary-wing platform operators. ‘Today, we learned that the IRIS System can be immediately employed using current joint tactics for operational and tactical control of long-range strike aircraft,’ said Lt Col Paul Goossen, chief of combat operations in the 608th Air Operations Center.
IRIS is set to replace the Global Iridium Bomber Set that has been in service since 2017, and Outerlink claimed that further support from Air Force Global Strike Command would allow for ‘permanent bomber integration and seamless coordination across geographic Air Operation Centers using the system’.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![World Defense Show 2026: Northrop Grumman to present improved C2 management system]()
World Defense Show 2026: Northrop Grumman to present improved C2 management system
The Northrop Grumman Integrated Battle Command System is in service with Poland and the US Army with another 20 countries believed to have expressed an interest.
-
![Thales looks to boost DigitalCrew system through AI and human-machine teaming trials]()
Thales looks to boost DigitalCrew system through AI and human-machine teaming trials
The Thales DigitalCrew package, first unveiled at last year’s Defence IQ International Armoured Vehicles conference, is designed to merge imaging and apply a layer of decision-making and observation algorithms to support crew and other personnel.
-
![Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool]()
Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool
Nomad can provide militaries with real-time intelligence, saving critical time on the battlefield.
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
