The U.S. Air Force‘s fleet of E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft, built for airborne battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, has begun flying in to Robins Air Force Base for depot maintenance.The service branch said Thursday that depot maintenance for the aircraft, which commenced July 17, is designed to accelerate delivery of the specialized aircraft, as the JSTARS program office seeks to maximize the fleet’s availability.
The effort supports the service branch’s adoption of the Advanced Battle Management System, a platform that will function to unify intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information on global air and space.
USAF intends to operate the aircraft throughout the mid- to late-2020s upon the ABMS’ development.
“We are leveraging the experience of the operational wings and the program office team here at Robins to improve warfighting readiness,” said Brig. Gen. John Kubinec, commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex.
The service branch plans to take in one JSTARS aircraft yearly at the base over the next two years if the organic maintenance approach delivers the desired results.
The E-8C is an ISR-focused, modified version of the Boeing 707-300 series airframe.
