USAF releases JSTARS Recap RFP
The US Air Force has released the development request for proposal (RFP) for the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) Recapitalization programme.
JSTARS provides airborne battle management command and control of joint and coalition forces, as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information about ground movements to detect and track enemy forces.
The RFP includes all aspects of the system, including the airframe, radar, communication systems and battle management command and control suite. The programme is seeking three engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) JSTARS Recap weapon systems for testing, with contract options for low-rate initial production for two more weapon systems and full-rate production of lots 1-3 for four additional weapon systems each, for a total of 17 aircraft.
Options are also included for ground support systems, such as training systems, mission planning and processing systems, system integration labs, support equipment and spares.
An 11-month pre-EMD effort has recently been completed with Northrop Grumman, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, in order to help assess the maturity of subsystem technology, reduce weapon system integration risk and provide information for the RFP.
Risk reduction efforts continue with Northrop Grumman Mission Systems and Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems pursuing nonrecurring hardware and software engineering activities to ensure radars are scaled to meet JSTARS Recap specific requirements.
The proposal solicitation will be an open competition with an anticipated contract award in 2018. Initial operational capability is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![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.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
