Editing Northrop Grumman E-8 Joint STARS (section)

==Operational history==
[[File:E-8 pilots cleaning windshields.JPG|thumb|Pilots from [[Robins Air Force Base]] cleaning the windshields of their E-8 before a mission in [[Iraq]]|alt= ]]
{{more citations needed|section|date=November 2023}}

The two E-8A development aircraft were deployed in 1991 to participate in [[Operation Desert Storm]] under the direction of USAF Colonel Harry H. Heimple, Program Director, even though they were still in development. The joint program accurately tracked mobile [[Iraq]]i forces, including tanks and [[Scud]] missiles. Crews flew developmental aircraft on 49 combat sorties, accumulating more than 500 combat hours and a 100% mission effectiveness rate.

These Joint STARS developmental aircraft also participated in [[Operation Joint Endeavor]], a [[NATO]] peacekeeping mission, in December 1995. While flying in friendly air space, the test-bed E-8A and pre-production E-8C aircraft monitored ground movements to confirm compliance with the [[Dayton Peace Accords]] agreements.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://irp.fas.org/agency/army/mipb/1996-4/baker.htm |title=Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR: Joint STARS in the Balkans}}</ref> Crews flew 95 consecutive operational sorties and more than 1,000 flight hours with a 98% mission effectiveness rate.

The [[93d Air Control Wing]], which activated 29 January 1996, accepted its first aircraft on 11 June 1996, and deployed in support of [[Operation Joint Endeavor]] in October. The provisional 93d Air Expeditionary Group monitored treaty compliance while NATO rotated troops through [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]. The first production E-8C and a pre-production E-8C flew 36 operational sorties and more than 470 flight hours with a 100% effectiveness rate. The wing declared initial operational capability 18 December 1997 after receiving the second production aircraft. [[Operation Allied Force]] saw Joint STARS in action again from February to June 1999 accumulating more than 1,000 flight hours and a 94.5% mission-effectiveness rate in support of the U.S.-lead [[Kosovo War]].

The twelfth production aircraft, outfitted with an upgraded operations and control subsystem, was delivered to the USAF on 5 November 2001.

On 1 October 2002, the 93d Air Control Wing (93 ACW) was "blended" with the [[116th Bomb Wing]] in a ceremony at [[Robins Air Force Base]] (AFB), [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].  The 116 BW was an [[Air National Guard]] wing equipped with [[Rockwell B-1 Lancer|B-1B]] Lancer bombers at Robins. As a result of a USAF reorganization of the B-1B force, all B-1Bs were assigned to active duty wings, resulting in the 116 BW lacking a current mission.  The newly created wing was designated [[116th Air Control Wing]] (116 ACW) and the 93 ACW was inactivated the same day.  The 116 ACW constituted the first fully blended wing of active duty and Air National Guard airmen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.116acw.ang.af.mil/About-Us/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250306045335/https://www.116acw.ang.af.mil/About-Us/ |archive-date=2025-03-06 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=www.116acw.ang.af.mil |language=en-US}}</ref> The wing took delivery of the 17th and final E-8C on 23 March 2005.

The E-8C Joint STARS routinely supports various taskings of the Combined Force Command Korea during the [[North Korea]]n winter exercise cycle and for the [[United Nations]] enforcing resolutions on Iraq.

In March 2009, a Joint STARS aircraft was damaged beyond economical repair when a test plug was left on a fuel tank vent, subsequently causing the fuel tank to rupture during in-flight refueling.  There were no casualties but the aircraft sustained $25 million in damage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://defensetech.org/2012/01/27/a-basic-mistake-that-trashed-a-jstars/ |title=A Basic Mistake That Trashed a JSTARS &#124; Defense Tech |access-date=2011-12-11 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127195420/http://defensetech.org/2012/01/27/a-basic-mistake-that-trashed-a-jstars/ |archive-date=2012-01-27}} A Basic Mistake that Trashed a JSTARS</ref><ref name="accrep">{{cite web|title=Executive Summary Aircraft Accident Investigation: E-8C 93-0597, Al-Udeid Air Base 13 march 2009|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2012/e-8c_aor_13mar09.pdf|access-date=20 May 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127170236/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2012/e-8c_aor_13mar09.pdf|archive-date=27 January 2013}}</ref>

In September 2009, [[Loren B. Thompson]] of the [[Lexington Institute]] raised the question of why most of the Joint STARS fleet was sitting idle instead of being used to track insurgents in Afghanistan.  Thompson states that the Joint STARS' radar has an inherent capacity to find what the Army calls 'dismounted' targets—insurgents walking around or placing roadside bombs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/failure-to-use-radar-planes-against-taliban-is-foolish?a=1&c=1129 |title=Lexington Institute|date=3 September 2009|website=lexingtoninstitute.org|access-date=9 May 2018 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807071421/http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/failure-to-use-radar-planes-against-taliban-is-foolish/?a=1&c=1129|archive-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>  Thompson's neutrality has been questioned by some since Lexington Institute has been heavily funded by defense contractors, including Northrop Grumman.<ref>[http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/121300295470260.xml&coll=3 "Analyst's switch stirs tanker talk"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727220450/http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fnews%2F121300295470260.xml&coll=3 |date=2009-07-27}} al.com</ref><ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2016/09/02/second-spacex-launch-disaster-in-14-months-hands-air-force-nasa-a-big-headache/#119ab701ca43 SpaceX Launch Disaster] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807032706/https://www.forbes.com/sites/lorenthompson/2016/09/02/second-spacex-launch-disaster-in-14-months-hands-air-force-nasa-a-big-headache/ |date=2017-08-07}} forbes.com</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lexingtoninstitute.org/category/defense/|title=Lexington Institute|website=Lexington Institute|access-date=9 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005104519/http://www.lexingtoninstitute.org/category/defense/|archive-date=5 October 2017}}</ref>

Recent trials of Joint STARS in Afghanistan are destined to develop tactics, techniques and procedures in tracking dismounted, moving groups of Taliban.<ref>DefenceNews, Issue November 23, 2009.</ref>

In January 2011, Northrop Grumman's E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) test bed aircraft completed the second of two deployments to [[Naval Air Station Point Mugu]], California, in support of the U.S. Navy Joint Surface Warfare Joint Capability Technology Demonstration to test its [[network-enabled weapon]] architecture.  The Joint STARS aircraft executed three Operational Utility Assessment flights and demonstrated its ability to guide anti-ship weapons against surface combatants at a variety of standoff distances in the NEW architecture.

From 2001 to January 2011 the Joint STARS fleet flew more than 63,000 hours in 5,200 combat missions in support of Operations [[Operation Iraqi Freedom|Iraqi Freedom]], [[Operation Enduring Freedom|Enduring Freedom]] and [[Iraq War|New Dawn]].<ref>[http://www.tradershuddle.com/20110117148392/globenewswire/Photo-Release-Northrop-Grumman-s-Joint-STARS-is-Key-Enabler-in-Success-of-U.S.-Navy/Air-Force-Joint-Surface-Warfare-Network-Enabled-Weapon-Joint-Capability-Technology-Demonstration.html Photo Release - Northrop Grumman's Joint STARS is Key Enabler in Success of U.S. Navy/Air Force Joint Surface Warfare Network-Enabled Weapon Joint Capability Technology Demons...] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717083242/http://www.tradershuddle.com/20110117148392/globenewswire/Photo-Release-Northrop-Grumman-s-Joint-STARS-is-Key-Enabler-in-Success-of-U.S.-Navy/Air-Force-Joint-Surface-Warfare-Network-Enabled-Weapon-Joint-Capability-Technology-Demonstration.html |date=2011-07-17}} tradershuddle.com</ref>

On 1 October 2011, the "blended" wing construct of the 116th Air Control Wing (116 ACW), combining Air National Guard and Regular Air Force personnel in a single unit was discontinued.  On this date, the [[461st Air Control Wing]] (461 ACW) was established at Robins AFB as the Air Force's sole active duty E-8 Joint STARS wing while the 116 ACW reverted to a traditional Air National Guard wing within the [[Georgia Air National Guard]].  Both units share the same E-8 aircraft and will often fly with mixed crews, but now function as separate units.

On 1 October 2019, JSTARS ended its continuous presence in the [[United States Central Command]] (USCENTCOM) areas of responsibility. The 18–year deployment was the second-longest deployment in [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]] history. In that time, the crews and aircraft flew 10,938 sorties, and 114,426.6 combat hours.<ref>{{Cite web |title=End of an Era: JSTARS flies last sortie out of CENTCOM |url=https://www.116acw.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2003613/end-of-an-era-jstars-flies-last-sortie-out-of-centcom/ |access-date=2021-08-30 |website=116th Air Control Wing|date=30 October 2019}}</ref>

On 11 February 2022, the first of four JSTARS out of the remaining 16 operational JSTARS was retired as detailed in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA). The plane (serial number 92-3289/GA) which was the first to arrive at Robins AFB in 1996 has now been transferred to the [[309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group]] at [[Davis–Monthan Air Force Base]].<ref name=firstretired />

[[File:Usaf-E8-C-near-Ukraine-border-23Mar22-c14-37UTC.png|thumb|alt=USAF E-8C near Ukraine border 23 March 2022 circa 14:37 UTC - likely monitoring vehicle movement|USAF E-8C near Ukraine border on 23 March 2022 circa 14:37 UTC, likely monitoring Russian vehicle movement]]
From late 2021 to early 2022, E-8C JSTARS aircraft deployed to Europe during the [[prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. Thirty years after entering service, it was performing the type of mission it had originally been intended to: monitoring Russian military activity in Eastern Europe, which it did while operating over Ukrainian airspace<ref>[https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2022/02/above-ukraine-cold-war-spy-plane-finally-tracking-russian-invasion/362288/ Above Ukraine, a Cold War Spy Plane Is Finally Tracking a Russian Invasion]. ''Defense One''. 22 February 2022.</ref> until the start of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion]] in late February 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.janes.com/amp/nato-loses-isr-capability-over-ukraine-as-putin-closes-airspace/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2 |title=NATO loses ISR capability over Ukraine as Putin closes airspace |date=24 February 2022}}</ref>

===Retirement===
The USAF began an analysis of alternatives (AOA) in March 2010 for its next generation GMTI radar aircraft fleet. The study was completed in March 2012 and recommended buying a new business jet-based [[ISTAR#ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)|ISR]] aircraft, such as a version of the [[Boeing 737]], and the [[Gulfstream 550]].<ref name="airandspaceforces_com">{{cite web |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/the-jstars-recap/ |title=The JSTARS Recap}}</ref> The Air Force said Joint STARS was expected to remain in operation through 2030.<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-cant-afford-jstars-replacement-369732/ USAF can't afford JSTARS replacement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117142402/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-cant-afford-jstars-replacement-369732/ |date=2013-01-17}} - Flightglobal.com, 20 March 2012.</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20130802224517/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20121009/C4ISR01/310090012/With-No-Replacement-Sight-Joint-STARS-Feel-Strain With No Replacement in Sight, Joint STARS Feel Strain] - Defensenews.com, 9 October 2012.</ref>

On 23 January 2014, the USAF revealed a plan for the acquisition of a new business jet-class replacement for the E-8C Joint STARS. The program was called Joint STARS Recap and planned for the aircraft to reach initial operating capability (IOC) by 2022. The aircraft would be more efficient, and separate contracts would be awarded for developing the aircraft, airborne sensor, battle management command and control (BMC2) system, and communications subsystem.<ref name="airandspaceforces_com" />

On 8 April 2014, the Air Force held an industry day for companies interested in competing for JSTARS Recap; attendees included [[Boeing]], [[Bombardier Aerospace]], and [[Gulfstream Aerospace]]. Air Force procurement documents called for a replacement for the Boeing 707-based E-8C as a "business jet class" aircraft that is "significantly smaller and more efficient."<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-bombardier-and-gulfstream-attend-jstars-industry-398403/ Boeing, Bombardier and Gulfstream attend JSTARS industry day] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426105857/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/boeing-bombardier-and-gulfstream-attend-jstars-industry-398403/ |date=2014-04-26}} - Flightglobal.com, 21 April 2014</ref> Indicative specification were for an aircraft with a 10-13 person crew with a {{convert|3.96|-|6.1|m|ft|abbr=on}} radar array and capable of flying at 38,000&nbsp;ft for eight hours. In August 2015, the Air Force issued contracts to Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman for a one-year pre-engineering and manufacturing development effort to mature and test competing designs ahead of a downselect in late 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2015/12/11/pentagon-approves-next-step-for-jstars-recap/ |title=Pentagon Approves Next Step for JSTARS Recap |date=11 December 2015}}</ref>

During the fiscal 2019 budget rollout briefing it was announced that the Air Force will not move forward with an E-8C replacement aircraft. Funding for the JSTARS recapitalization program was instead be diverted to pay for development of an Advanced Battle Management System.<ref>[https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2018/02/12/air-force-kills-jstars-upgrade.html "Air Force Kills JSTARS Upgrade"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215084351/https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2018/02/12/air-force-kills-jstars-upgrade.html |date=2018-02-15}} Military.com, 12 February 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/jstars-replacement-cancelled-in-new-usaf-budget-plan-445844/ "JSTARS replacement cancelled in new USAF budget plan"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215084107/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/jstars-replacement-cancelled-in-new-usaf-budget-plan-445844/ |date=2018-02-15}} FlightGlobal, 13 February 2018</ref>

The E-8C JSTARS began to be retired in February 2022, and flew its last operational sortie on 21 September 2023. Rather than procure a replacement aircraft, the USAF intends to use a network of satellites, aircraft sensors and ground radars as a cheaper and more resilient approach to collecting similar targeting and tracking data.<ref>[https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-air-force/2023/10/02/air-forces-jstars-flies-last-intel-mission-after-3-decades-in-service/ "Air Force's JSTARS flies last intel mission after 3 decades in service"]. ''[[Defense News]]''. 2 October 2023.</ref> The JSTARS performed its last flight on 15 November 2023. The aircraft conducted some 14,000 operational sorties, flying more than 141,000 hours over 32 years of service.<ref>[https://www.airandspaceforces.com/last-jstars-e-8-retires/ JSTARS Flies West: USAF Retires Its Last E-8C]. ''Air & Space Forces Magazine''. 16 November 2023.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8106384/photo-joint-stars-sunset-celebration |title=Photo of Joint STARS Sunset Celebration}}</ref>