In 1982, the programs were merged and the U.S.
The prime contract was awarded to Grumman Aerospace Corporation in September 1985 for two E-8A development systems. ===Upgrades=== In late 2005, Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract for upgrading engines and other systems.
In the Army, JSTARS data is analyzed in and disseminated from a Ground Station Module (GSM). ==Operational history== The two E-8A development aircraft were deployed in 1991 to participate in Operation Desert Storm under the direction of USAF Colonel Harry H.
Crews flew developmental aircraft on 49 combat sorties, accumulating more than 500 combat hours and a 100% mission effectiveness rate. These Joint STARS developmental aircraft also participated in Operation Joint Endeavor, a NATO peacekeeping mission, in December 1995.
Crews flew 95 consecutive operational sorties and more than 1,000 flight hours with a 98% mission effectiveness rate. The 93d Air Control Wing, which activated 29 January 1996, accepted its first aircraft, 11 June 1996, and deployed in support of Operation Joint Endeavor in October.
The wing declared initial operational capability 18 December 1997 after receiving the second production aircraft.
Operation Allied Force saw Joint STARS in action again from February to June 1999 accumulating more than 1,000 flight hours and a 94.5% mission-effectiveness rate in support of the U.S.
The twelfth production aircraft, outfitted with an upgraded operations and control subsystem, was delivered to the USAF on 5 November 2001. In March 2009, a Joint STARS aircraft was damaged beyond economical repair when a test plug was left on a fuel tank vent, subsequently causing the fuel tank to rupture during in-flight refueling.
lead Kosovo War. On 1 October 2002, the 93d Air Control Wing (93 ACW) was "blended" with the 116th Bomb Wing in a ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.
The prime contract was awarded to Grumman Aerospace Corporation in September 1985 for two E-8A development systems. ===Upgrades=== In late 2005, Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract for upgrading engines and other systems.
The 116 ACW constituted the first fully blended wing of active duty and Air National Guard airmen. The wing took delivery of the 17th and final E-8C on 23 March 2005.
Their greater efficiency will allow the Joint STARS to spend more time on station, take off from a wider range of runways, climb faster, fly higher all with a much reduced cost per flying hour. In December 2008, an E-8C test aircraft took its first flight with the new engines.
In 2009, the company began engine replacement and additional upgrade efforts.
However, the re-engining funding was temporarily halted in 2009 as the Air Force began to consider other options for performing the JSTARS mission. ==Design== The E-8C is an aircraft modified from the Boeing 707-300 series commercial airliner.
The twelfth production aircraft, outfitted with an upgraded operations and control subsystem, was delivered to the USAF on 5 November 2001. In March 2009, a Joint STARS aircraft was damaged beyond economical repair when a test plug was left on a fuel tank vent, subsequently causing the fuel tank to rupture during in-flight refueling.
There were no casualties but the aircraft sustained $25 million in damage. In September 2009, Loren B.
Both units share the same E-8 aircraft and will often fly with mixed crews, but now function as separate units. ===Future=== The Air Force began an analysis of alternatives (AOA) in March 2010 for its next generation ground GMTI radar aircraft fleet.
The study was completed in March 2012 and recommended buying a new business jet-based ISR aircraft, such as a version of the P-8 Poseidon, and the RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 40.
The Air Force says Joint STARS is in a phase of capability improvements and is expected to remain in operation through 2030. On 23 January 2014, the USAF revealed a plan for the acquisition of a new business jet-class replacement for the E-8C Joint STARS.
The airframe must be more efficient, and separate contracts will be awarded for developing the aircraft, airborne sensor, battle management command and control (BMC2) system, and communications subsystem. On 8 April 2014, the Air Force held an industry day for companies interested in competing for JSTARS Recap; attendees included Boeing, Bombardier Aerospace, and Gulfstream Aerospace.
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