Basis of Issue Plan - BOIP
Airborne Relay Facility
A. DESCRIPTION: The Airborne Relay Facility
AN/ARW-83 (V) 6 is made up of one major system the Airborne
Relay Facility (ARF) AN/ARW-83 (V) 6, and two subsystems the
Airplane Reconnaissance Utility (Twelve RC-12Ks), and the
Interoperable Data Link (IDL) Tracking Antennas (Two IDL
Antennas). AFR/Aircraft, collects VHF and UHF communication
signals, and transmits direction finding (DF) data and modulation
signals via the interoperable data link (IDL) to the Integrated
Processing Facility (IPF). The IDL provides microwave
communication links between the airborne and ground based element
of the IPF. The ARF also relays both data and voice information
to intelligence users from the IPF to tactical communications
terminals in the corps area of operations. The ARF/Aircraft also
serves as relay platform for communications between IPF and the
supported commands. This system incorporates the Communication
High Accuracy Airborne Location System (CHAALS) to achieve
precision target locations for its COMINT system. Targeting
accuracy is also provided by the ELINT system. Ground to ground
(including CTT) communications links provide automated message
distribution to tactical commanders in near real time. ARF
system is designed for installation in a RC-12K aircraft. Power
for the AN/ARW-83 (V) 6 is supplied by the aircraft which is 128
VAC, 400HZ and 28 VDC. Aircraft dimensions: height 14 feet 6
inches, length 43 feet 9 inches, wingspan 57 feet 9 inches, and
weight 1490 pounds.
B. CAPABILITIES: Airborne Relay Facility (ARF): range is
classified; main equipment systems are: signal collection
equipment, SCAR equipment, DF equipment, radio/cryptographic
equipment and radio relay for TTY and TCC; user communications
support is tactical communications terminal; vehicle system is
RC-12K aircraft; power system is two 28 volt 400 ampere/hr
generators mounted on engines and converted to 115V AC 3ph AC by
an inverter; and maintainer is 33R. The ARF is remotely
controlled by ground based operators. System collects on wide
spectrum of HF, UHF and VHF radio signals. ARF can support up to
32 tactical communication terminals. System provides secure link
VOW, and UHF BUVOW. Line of sight system. Has specialized
maintenance and logistical support and removal of ARF is required
to perform aircraft maintenance.
Aircraft (RC-12K): Range is 1,200 nautical miles; main equipment
is the Airborne Relay Facility (AN-ARW/83 (V) 5); Crew is two
SEMA qualified pilots; user communication support is UHF, VHF, HF
and VOW; Vehicle is modified Beechcraft 200 airframe; Power
system is two PT6A-41, free turbine, reverse flow engines rated
at 850 shaft horsepower at 100% torque and maintained by BASI
civilian contractors. Aircraft is day/night all weather
capability with pressurized cabin. Uses a inertial navigation
system which is non-jammable. Only two crew are required to
operate aircraft. It is deployable world wide and requires well
maintained, instrumented, hard surface runway.
Interoperable Data Link (IDL) Tracking Antenna (AN/UPQ-3B):
Range is classified; Main equipment systems is large surface dish
antenna, modularized IDL surface terminals (MIST) in the IPF, and
small air dish antenna mounted on front and aft of aircraft;
system is operated by Paramax contractors and 33Rs; user
communication support is ARF; system is mounted on M390 trailer
and pulled by a dedicated 2 1/2 ton truck; system is powered by
Power Distribution System AN/MJQ-26; and IDL is maintained by
Paramax contractors and 33R. System provides a non-jammable
secure link from aircraft to IPF and is line of sight. IDL is
highly mobile. 1320 feet is the max distance the antenna may be
placed from the IPF. Requires civilian contractor support to
operate and maintain.
C. EMPLOYMENT: This system is employed only to the
Military Intelligence Brigade, Aerial Exploitation Battalion,
Corps (34418C400).
D. BASIS OF ISSUE: One Per AEB, CORPS (MI).
E. POWER REQUIREMENTS: Power for this facility is supplied
by the RC-12K Aircraft.
F. TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENT: This system is transported
by organic unit vehicles.
G. PERSONNEL/MAINTENANCE IMPACTS: (For Principal Item Only)
(1) OPERATOR: NONE DESIGNATED.
(2) MAINTAINERS:
A. UL MAINTENANCE: 33R
B. DS MAINTENANCE: 33R
H. SPECIAL NOTES: BOIPS (() old BOIP numbers): M050AA
(860010), M050AB (860011), M050AC (860012), M050AD (860013),
M050AD (860014), M050MA (860015), M050MB (860016), M050MC
(860017), M050AI (890159), M050AJ (890160), and M087AH all make
up GUARDRAIL/Common Sensor. The Airborne Relay Facility (ARF)
AN/ARW-83 (V) 6 is appropriate for publication in AR 71-13.