RAF Air Surveillance and Control System

RAF Air Surveillance and Control System. The Royal Air Force's primary ground-based command and control network for national and expeditionary air defence, known as the Air Surveillance and Control System (ASACS), forms the cornerstone of the United Kingdom's airspace surveillance and battle management. Operated by personnel from the Royal Air Force and supported by contractors, it integrates data from a vast array of sensors, including radars and allied networks, to maintain a Recognised Air Picture. This system is pivotal for the defence of the British Isles and supports NATO air policing missions and coalition operations worldwide.

Overview

The ASACS enterprise is a critical component of the UK's national security architecture, functioning as the operational hub for the UK Air Defence Region. It is commanded from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland, which serves as the Control and Reporting Centre, with a secondary site at RAF Scampton. The network fuses information from sovereign assets like the UK Air Defence Radar Network and the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer, with inputs from key allies including NATO's Air Command and Control System and the United States Air Force. This integrated data provides the Chief of the Air Staff and the Permanent Joint Headquarters with the situational awareness necessary for decisive command.

Development and History

The system's origins lie in the Cold War-era Linesman/Mediator network, which was replaced by the more advanced UKADGE (United Kingdom Air Defence Ground Environment) during the 1980s. Following the Gulf War, lessons learned highlighted the need for a more flexible, deployable system, leading to the inception of the current ASACS concept in the 1990s. A significant milestone was the relocation of the Control and Reporting Centre from RAF Neatishead to the purpose-built facility at RAF Boulmer in 2004. This period also saw the integration of new sensor technologies following the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010, which reshaped the UK's air defence posture.

System Components and Capabilities

Core hardware includes the Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) stations, which utilize the Fighter Control and Reporting System (FCRS) for data processing and display. The sensor layer is anchored by the Air Defence Radar Network comprising sites like RRH Staxton Wold and RRH Brizlee Wood, alongside the long-range RAF Benbecula radar in the Hebrides. For tactical mobility, the Royal Air Force Regiment operates the Air Defence and Air Operations Support Wing, which fields deployable Tactical Control and Reporting Centres. These elements are networked via secure communications, including Link 16, to platforms such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and E-7 Wedgetail AEW&C.

Operational Use and Deployments

ASACS provides continuous vigilance for Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions, directing Typhoon fighters from bases like RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Coningsby. It has been operationally proven during major exercises like Exercise Joint Warrior and real-world deployments, including providing airspace control over Afghanistan during Operation Herrick and for the security of the 2012 London Olympics. The system routinely supports NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission and was integral to the UK's air defence response during incidents such as the 2014 F-15 incident.

Future Developments and Upgrades

The system is undergoing a generational modernization under the ASACS Evolution programme, which will replace legacy components with the new UK Command and Control System (UK C2). This aligns with the broader Multi-Domain Integration strategy outlined in the Integrated Review 2021. Future capabilities will be enhanced by the introduction of the E-7 Wedgetail fleet, the National Space Operations Centre, and data from the SKYNET satellite constellation. These upgrades aim to maintain interoperability with key partners like the Five Eyes and address emerging threats in the space and cyber domains.

Category:Royal Air Force Category:Air defence