AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR -- The Roll On Beyond Line of Sight Enhancement communication system reached a milestone in November at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar; 50,000 operational hours.
The ROBE system is a tactical data link designed to increase situational awareness for coalition aircraft by enabling global connectivity on missions with many other military aircraft.
“We always have tankers in the fight, so having it on tankers is a good thing,” said Maj. Jordan Collins, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron instructor pilot. “It gives the Air Force and coalition partners access to vital information.”
With the ROBE system on board, Stratotankers essentially become communication centers, said Arthur Floyd, 340th EARS ROBE field engineer.
The system also provides air crews will several tactical advantages.
“The ROBE system helps relay information so there’s less talking and less voice communication,” Arthur said. “If you go into a mountainous terrain and have communication restrictions, it can relay the tactical data to those needing it by strengthening the cloud of information.”
The system improves tactical data link networks by increasing the line of sight, said Adam Simons, 340th EARS ROBE field engineer.
Tankers are often in the sky for hours circling, waiting for aircraft to refuel, so it makes sense to have a ROBE system on board, Simons said.
Boom operators receive training on ROBE operations, but if they need assistance, a ROBE field engineer is only a phone call away.
“They can call us if they are having problems,” said Simon. “I always tell the guys that you have been saving lives with refueling, and now you are saving lives using tactical data link.