The army airborne command and control system now under development will replace the AN-ASC-15B-radio suite in the UH-60.

The new A2C2S onboard equipment package will fulfil the need of manoeuvre commanders for an airborne mobile command post. It is a true on-the-move tactical command post rather than simply an aviation equivalent and is being developed by the US Naval Research laboratory and the US Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate for the US Army Program Manager, Aviation Electronic Combat (PM AEC).
The A2C2S will provide command and control (C2) on the move within the context of a force projection army. It is an extension of the airborne C2 capability tailored to employ emerging technology in communications and data processing. A2C2S is a helicopter-based (UH-60) C2 system providing commanders with real-time awareness, continuous access to command networks and mission planning capabilities. The system is required to provide complete operational capabilities while air borne and during ground operations. It consists of hardware and software applications mounted into a quickly installed mobile unit and will accommodate requirements of a commander and an S-2, S-3 or assistant S-3, FSO or assistant FSO, ALO.

The A2C2S provides unprecedented voice and data capabilities and battlefield information processing, and connectivity equivalent to a tactical-command post and battle-command vehicle (BCV) while static or airborne. When static, the A2C2S will utilise ground antennas and receive power from the aircraft's auxiliary power unit (APU). This enables a commander to exercise C2 of assigned and attached elements and to co-ordinate with adjacent, supported and supporting forces for up to five hours while airborne or up to four hours while on the ground.

Key features and sub-systems
The 'A2C2S consists of major sub-systems, grouped into kit categories. The A kit consists of one set each of antennas, cabling, power taps, mounting hardware and blackout curtains. The B kit consists of an electronic rack, interface equipment, a joint-combat information terminal, printer, five colour screens and keyboards, up to three large colour screens, a five-seater conference table, five seats, a sub-floor, an enhanced position location and reporting system (EPLRS) and a high- frequency radio.Most A2C2S software centres on the integration of existing programs, mainly the manoeuvre control system (MCS) and aviation mission planning system (AMPS). MCS constitutes the workstation's application soft ware for C2 operations and AMPS software provides access to specific unit's mission plans and permits changes to the mission database. The MCS and AMPS database functions are consolidated on the database server.

The 'A2C2S allows a commander to cope with all C2 requirements. It provides tactical satellite (TACSAT) for warfighter nets, HF for linking with ground or air command elements and during nap of the earth (NOE) communications, ultra high frequency (UHF) for joint operations, very high frequency (VHF) for tactical communications, satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals for intelligence broadcasts, and mobile subscriber equipment (MSE) via combat net radios (CNRs) for connection to area systems.
Connectivity through a joint combat information terminal (JCIT) suite will allow staff to receive and filter data from real-time and near real-time information (broadcast intelligence, JSTARS, IMETS).