(U) Range Standardization and Automation (RSA) Phase 1

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) The Range Standardization and Automation (RSA) program will completely overhaul and modernize both the Eastern Range at Patrick AFB, FL, and the Western Range at Vandenberg AFB, CA, treating both as a single integrated range system with an eastern and western segment.  RSA, divided into two phases, will develop the integrated range system using remote control and automation techniques to reduce the number of required operators, sites and facilities, and improve responsiveness. 

Description: (U)
(U)  Two national ranges, the Eastern Range and Western Range provide tracking, telemetry, communicatons, command/control and other support capabilites necessary to safely conduct civil, commercial and national security spacelift operations, ballistic missile test and evaluation (T&E), and a variety of aeronautical and guided weapons T&E. 

(U)  Current range assets are based on 1950's and 1960's designs and technology, and are arrayed in a highly inefficient, manpower intensive architecture.  Range instrumentation reliability is deteriorating and over 40% of the components are obsolete without sources of support.  The ranges currently do not provide the responsiveness and flexibility critical to affordably support the nation's space lift needs.

(U)  The RSA Phase 1 contract was competitively awarded in FY 93 to provide Consolidated Instrumentation Facilities (CIF) at Antigua and Ascension, satellite communications from these sites to the Eastern Range Operations Control Center, a Central Telemetry Processing System for both ranges, and Cape Canaveral Air Station communications network upgrades.

User Impact: (U)
(U) RSA is critical to the future of spacelift ranges.  Performance and cost goals cannot be achieved without RSA.  The result will be a reconfigurated range system capable of  a major operation in less than 4 hours versus 2-3 days.  An objective of RSA is to operate for 20% less than current range O&S costs but is supportable through existing Air Force logistics infrastructure and standard practices.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Programmed.
	(U) IOC: 06/1999 (3QFY1999).
		(U)  Other Dates:  RSA Phase 1:
 -- (U)  PDR 1FY96;
 -- (U)  CDR 2FY97;
 -- (U)  Developmental T&E 1FY98;
 -- (U)  Cape FO Network Installation 4FY98;
 -- (U)  SATCOM Installation 4FY98;
 -- (U)  Operational T&E 3FY99;
 -- (U)  Phase 1 system turnover 3 FY99.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Antigua, Ascension, COMMU, Eastern Range, Network Operations Upgrades, Range Upgrades, RSA Phase 2A/B, Western Range

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Range Standardization & Auto., Spacelift

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) National Security Space Road Map, SPACE FORCES SUPPORT.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
03 June 1998

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)