Pacer CRAG modification program draws to a close
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SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- Air Mobility Command and Air Force Materiel Command reached a milestone Oct. 1. The KC-135 Pacer CRAG modification program officially came to a close and senior officials at both commands are calling the program a tremendous success.
By incorporating agile logistics support into a rigorous production schedule through close cooperation between AFMC's Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker AFB, Okla., and AMC Headquarters here, the Pacer CRAG program closed out operations under budget and ahead of schedule.
Pacer CRAG derives its name from the Lightning Bolt acquisition program's name "Pacer" and the acronym for Compass Radar and Global Positioning System. It's also known as the "glass cockpit." The success of the Pacer CRAG modifications have played a significant role of reducing the number of aircraft in depot or modification status at Tinker AFB to less than 100.
"This is a team effort," Col. David A. Kelly Sr., C/KC-135 System Program Director said. "Here at the system program office, we do a lot of coordination across all elements - funding, engineering, three programmed depot maintenance sites, and all our warfighting customers. Overall, the KC-135 success story over the last two years is a great example of how a team effort can significantly improve our warfighters' capability to defend this country."
Lt. Col Mike Fernandez, Chief, Tanker Requirements, AMC Plans and Programs Directorate, agreed and added, "The KC-135 Pacer CRAG program is truly a great success story for both AMC and AFMC - under budget and ahead of schedule, with our aircrews effectively employing its capabilities globally, every day."
The KC-135 Stratotanker's mission is air refueling. Over the past six years, more than 560 aircraft have been sent to the depots for Pacer CRAG and other modifications designed to aircraft capability and flexibility. The program involved a $700 million avionics upgrade that in addition to the new compass, radar and GPS, included a traffic alert and collision avoidance system with new digital multi-function cockpit displays.
A major result of the modifications was eliminating the requirement for a dedicated navigator crew position, expected to save the Air Force $31 million a year. Work was also done to reduce the number of components in the cockpit from 39 antiquated line replaceable units to 19 improved units covered by a 10-year no-fault warranty. The replacement is expected to result in savings of $10 million a year through 2011 in maintenance costs.
In addition to Pacer CRAG, the C/KC-135s received more than $600 million for Block 30 upgrades to for the enhanced ground proximity warning system, reduced vertical separation minima capability and navigation safety upgrades. Workers installed the modifications at eight facilities and 32 production lines across the country. It took about 4,150 man-hours per aircraft to complete the upgrades.
The KC-135 upgrade program has produced a couple of firsts. Pacer CRAG was the first major AFMC and AMC program to incorporate Lightning Bolt strategies to streamline acquisition. And by using a statement of objectives instead of a statement of work, both commands shortened the time needed to go into the production phase, cutting costs by more than $90 million.
(Information contributed by 1st Lt. Joshua Fagan, Pacer CRAG Program Manager, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker AFB, Okla.)
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