USAF's roll-on, roll-off satcom platform clears milestone

US Air Force personnel load up a roll-on, roll-off BLOS Tactical Removeable Airborne Satellite Communications capability into a C-130 combat airlifter. (SD Government/Gogo)

The US Air Force (USAF) has approved a critical certification for a new roll-on, roll-off satellite communications (satcom) capability for its fleet of C-130 cargo airlifters.

The T-1 certification granted by senior leaders at Air Mobility Command (AMC) for the Tactical Removeable Airborne Satellite Communications (TRASC) platform will expand the envelope for beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) satcom capabilities available to Hercules pilots and aircrews.

Initial variants of the TRASC platform will provide Ku-band BLOS satcom connectivity for AMC aircraft, with future variants of the system being capable of transmitting satcom signals across Ku-band, Ka-band, and “other network compatibilities”, according to prime contractor SD Government.

As part of testing and certification for T-1 flight status for TRASC, AMC evaluators ensured that electromagnetic interference thresholds, as well as compatibility testing with other electronics aboard the C-130, met the service standards for the Block 6 and Block 8 versions of the cargo airlifter, company officials noted in a 2 February statement.

The TRASC also met electromagnetic service standards for use aboard legacy C-130H aircraft in service with the US and its allies, the statement said.

“The AMC T-1 [certification] paves the way for sister commands and partner nations, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and others to implement the roll-on/roll-off capability immediately”, it added.

Other variants of Hercules, in which the TRASC could be deployed, are in service with the US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Coast Guard, as well as Air Combat Command and Air Force Special Operations Command.