Control and Reporting Center (CRC)

Mission

The Control and Reporting Center is a mobile command, control, and communications radar element of the US Air Force theater air control system. The CRC integrates a comprehensive air picture via multiple data links from air-, sea-, and land-based sensors, as well as from its surveillance and control radars. It performs decentralized command and control of joint operations by conducting threat warning, battle management, theater missile defense, weapons control, combat identification, and strategic communications.

Features

The CRC consists of several separate subsystems all integrated to perform its various missions. The AN/TPS-75 Radar System ("Tipsy 75") is a mobile tactical radar system capable of providing 3-dimensional, 360 degree coverage out to 240NM. It provides a "real-time" radar airspace picture and data in support of the Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC). The data from the TPS-75 is passed to the AN/TYQ-23 Operations Module (OM) for processing and action by operators.

The OM is the heart of the CRC as it displays the information obtained from various sensors. It is a transportable, tailorable, and automated Command and Control (C2) battle management system capable of supporting worldwide contingency operations. It provides a versatile means of acquiring real-time and near-real-time (NRT) information from multiple air-, sea-, land-, and space-based sensors. It enables C2 of air and space forces throughout the spectrum of military operations, and collaterally provides joint and theater commanders with an accurate and reliable integrated battle space picture.

The CRC directly supports the JFACC requirement for situational awareness and execution of the Air Tasking Order/Airspace Control Order (ATO/ACO) by performing the theater battle management functions of surveillance, early warning, combat identification, force allocation, weapons control, airspace management, theater missile defense, all source sensor data fusion, and intra-service connectivity.

In addition to the major subsystems above, the CRC has numerous "commodity" items to enable all aspects of the mission to be met. Satellite communications consists of the TSC-94 and the TSC-100A communications terminals. The terminals are designed to operate in a communications jamming environment using a ground-mobile force control modem.

The CRC also has Theater Deployable Communications (TDC) which is a state-of-the-art, ground-to-ground communications infrastructure designed to transmit and receive voice, data, and video communications securely to or from wireless, satellite, or hard-wired sources. This system is both mobile and modular, allowing the Air Force the flexibility to tailor the system to its specific needs, and to transport the system anywhere in the world for military contingencies, while drastically reducing the communications problems typically associated with airlift and manpower.

Background

ACC Air Control Squadrons consist of two combat-coded CRCs (726 ACS, Mountain Home AFB, ID; 729 ACS, Hill AFB, UT), which report to the 552d Air Control Group and 552 Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB, OK. In addition, USAFE CRC is the 606 ACS at Spangdahlem AB, Germany.

The CRC has demonstrated its role as the premier ground based air battle command and control system in the world in Operations DESERT STORM/DESERT SHIELD, ALLIED FORCE, IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, GREEN CLOVER, SUPPORT JUSTICE, INHERENET RESOLVE, RESOLUTE SUPPORT and numerous NOBLE EAGLE missions.

General Characteristics

Manning: Crew consists of varying numbers of personnel dependent upon the mission tasked. A full unit CRC is made up of approximately 350 personnel.
Unit Cost: $270 million (FY 98 constant dollars)
Initial operating capability: 1950's; AN/TPS-75 and OMs entered service in 1991
Inventory: Active force, 3 ; Reserve, 0; Guard, 3
Standard CRC equipment is as follows:
Vehicles - 177
TPS-75 Radar - 2
GMT Satellite Terminal - 3
Operations Module - 4
Power Generators - 22
Fuel Trucks - 5
Shelters - 9