Results from Real Time Simulation Experiment of an Integrated Concept for UAV/Direct Fire Weapon Systems

During the last several years, there have been a large number of design studies, system simulations, and battlelab experiments that have sought to improve the integration of UAV-based sensor systems with “shooters” by providing real time intelligence data to C4ISR C Centers. These initiatives have contributed significantly to the improvement of the state of the practice of integrating UAV-based sensor systems with a variety of indirect weapons such as artillery, rockets, Army aviation, and Air Force Close Air Support systems. Intelligence and targeting information for these indirect fire weapon systems has been necessarily connected to “shooters” via C4ISR C centers, because of the complex fire coordination required prior to target engagement. While indirect fire systems are a critical element of the modern field army, they represent only a portion of the combat power of a combined arms team available to armored/mechanized forces. The direct fire weapon systems of the Army’s armored forces (cannon and missile) provide the Army with an additional and extremely potent capability to destroy threat forces. Historically, these direct fire weapon systems have relied on, and to some degree have been limited to, on-board sensor systems (Commander’s binoculars, gunner’s sight system, and thermal imaging systems) for real time targeting and situation awareness. To assess the payoff of providing sensor data from platforms external to the individual weapon system, MITRE, in support of the Army PM Combat Identification has developed a simulated environment for the evaluation of advanced sensor concepts. These advanced concepts seek to integrate situation awareness data with point of engagement information for tank crews. In support of this task, MITRE recently completed a man-in-the-loop study that examined the operational utility of providing a tank crew with data from a multisensor (MTI radar, cooperative friendly ID, and FLIR based ATR) UAV system to assist in maneuver and target prioritization. The paper will Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE 2006 2. REPORT TYPE 3. DATES COVERED 00-00-2006 to 00-00-2006 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Results from Real Time Simulation Experiment of an Integrated Concept for UAV/Direct Fire Weapon Systems 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER