U.S. Department of State

Budget Summary ($000)

FY 2000 Actual	FY 2001 Estimated	FY 2002 Request
5,000	4,000	6,000

Objectives

• Provide program cost savings through standardization of services, support and upgrade aviation performance characteristics through economy of scale procurement;
• Provide standardization and sustained support to those countries having received C-26 aircraft from the United States; and
• Provide flexibility for contracting cost fluctuations by maintaining a separate account for equipment upgrades and other contracting requirements.

Justification

The Systems Support and Upgrade Project has historically included C-26 support, an airborne surveillance initiative, refurbishment of OV-10 Broncos, and upgrade of UH-1H helicopters. Through this funding, specialized systems that were previously not available were to be provided to meet counternarcotics mission requirements in support of surveillance, detection, eradication, interdiction and logistics. This project also allowed INL to improve the performance characteristics of existing systems to better utilize their capability, extend their useful life, and increase the effectiveness of reconnaissance, eradication and interdiction efforts.

INL has contracted for engineering and modification services to modify C-26 aircraft with a suite of surveillance sensors. To ensure effective utilization of these powerful resources, host countries must be taught the appropriate tactics, techniques, and related doctrine that will lead to a "systems" approach in their counternarcotics surveillance and interdiction efforts. Additionally, with appropriate information management protocols in place, these host nation operations will generate surveillance information of import to the U.S. and other donor nations. As C-26 operations mature, the need for optimized sparing protocols (both airframe and sensor system) will be of increasing importance. An appropriately tailored sparing protocol could save C-26 user nations as much as 50 percent of the cost of traditional spares packages.

C-26 Support

Host nation aviation operations are significantly affected by their ability to fund the procurement of spares and general operating and maintenance expenses. It is, however, one of the fundamental tools that can be applied in an effort to reduce capital expenditures and recurring costs associated with spares replenishment and associated logistics. For FY 2002, INL will support C-26 programs in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and for Colombia’s National Police. Program support will include training of sensor operators and pilots, contract logistical support, and provision of spare parts and maintenance.

Airborne Surveillance Initiative

One of the critical shortfalls in the current counternarcotics operational structure overseas is the lack of host government surveillance, detection, and monitoring capability. Traffickers operate with near impunity as they violate border integrity while transporting a variety of forms of contraband. Customs laws have been meaningless as air, land and maritime conveyances choose arrival points at their discretion. In short, many nations lack the fundamental means of assuring their own sovereignty.

INL will continue to modify C-26 aircraft with surveillance systems and to train host nation forces to utilize this technology in a manner that benefits domestic, international and U.S. counternarcotics objectives. Training will include the disciplines of data management and analysis and will strongly promote the development and implementation of information sharing protocols across host nation interagency and regional counternarcotics communities. A systems approach to maritime- and land-based surveillance operations will emphasize the requirement for effective coordination between strategic and tactical airborne surveillance units as well as those directly involved in ground-based interdiction activities. INL will take advantage of contractor, U.S. military, and other law enforcement expertise to populate the international C-26 "community" with the tools to effectively prosecute their drug law enforcement missions.

OV-10 Refurbishment/A-10 Testing

INL received 22 OV-10D aircraft previously used by DOD that increased capabilities for conducting massive coca and opium aerial eradication campaigns throughout Latin America compared to existing T-65 aircraft. The employment of these additional aircraft equipped with armored cockpits and twin engines has increased speed, range, pilot safety and herbicide-carrying capacity. The OV-10 refurbishment program will allow for major modification of these airframes to reduce weight and modernize electrical, avionics, cockpit configuration, and special mission equipment to take full advantage of the aircraft’s capability and extend its useful life. Aircraft so modified will have a full day and night eradication capability.

In connection with the OV-10 program, INL intends to conduct testing to determine the feasibility of using excess A-10 aircraft as the next generation spray platform. Successful testing could lead to the eventual employment of these aircraft as spray planes with dramatically increased range, speed, payload and pilot protection.

Effectiveness Measures

• Ability to provide specialized systems, especially air assets, to meet counternarcotics mission requirements; and
• Improve performance capability of existing systems to extend their effectiveness and useful life.

Systems Support and Upgrades

INL Budget

($000)

 

	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002
C-26 Support	5,000	2,250	4,000
Support contract for parts, maintenance and training
Airborne Surveillance Initiative	—	1,250	1,500
Surveillance upgrades for aircraft platforms
Other Costs	—	500	500
OV-10 upgrades, A-10 testing
Total	5,000	4,000	6,000