ACS Troubles

Common story. For whatever reason (scope creep?) the Army wanted more capabilities than could reasonably fit in the ACS airframe. Plans now are also being drafted for a possible EP-8.

US forces make contingency plans for aerial sensor

By Joshua Kucera JDW Staff Reporter
Washington, DC

The US Army and US Navy are asking Congress for money to prolong the lives of their surveillance aircraft following delays caused by problems with the development of the Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) platform.

The navy is asking Congress for USD15 million to be reprogrammed for research and development to modernise and prolong the life of its EP-3E Aries IIs, and USD21 million to conduct a formal analysis of alternatives for recapitalising the EP-3Es. The army will also request funds for the Guardrail Common Sensor and Airborne Reconnaissance Low but the exact amounts have not been determined, said Claude Bolton, assistant secretary of the army for acquisition, technology and logistics.

Members of the two services came under sharp criticism from members of Congress unhappy with the ACS delay during a 20 October hearing before committees on defence and intelligence.

In September, the army imposed a stop work order on Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the ACS, after it was determined that the operational requirements that the army had established were too ambitious for the small aircraft it wanted.

Lockheed Martin is now required to present options to the army for saving the potentially USD7 billion programme by mid-November.