Search Results for: "AML"
Defence Industries
2009-07-08 22:58:59
3e Technologies International 3S AAC AB Precision Ltd ABSL Power Solutions Absolute Data Group Accusonic Products ACMH ACORDE Technologies TDI Power Advanced Defence Materials AEI Systems Aggreko Ahura Scientific Aimpoint AB Air Precision Air Rover Air Target Sweden Airborne Systems Airlift Technologies International Airolusion AIRSENSE Analytics AIS Akers Krutbruk Akzo Nobel Aerospace Coatings Al-Baddad International Alaska Structures Allen-Vanguard Allison Transmission Alutech AMA AML AMTI AMZ-KUTNO AnCom Anjani Technoplast AoA and MDT Armor Aqeri Arctic Trucks Norge Arena Industries ARI-Phantom Technologies ARIS Armoured Project Vehicles ARPA EMC ARS Optical ASB Group Astronautics ASTRUM AT Electronic and Communication International ATI Electronique Austal Auto-Hit Aviatech Avibras Industria Aeroespacial AvtoKrAZ Axletech B&W International BAE Systems Barat Ceramics Barco Bata Industrials Battlefield Sports Behr Industry BEI Precision Systems & Space Company Beijing Anlong Tech and Trade Beijing Defense Benteler Armor Solutions Berg Integrated Systems Bertin Technologies SA Betalight b.v. 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DREHTAINER DRS Tactical Systems DRS Technologies DSDA DSG DSM Dyneema Ducts Unlimited Dynalog India Dynasafe ECA Ecolog ECS Composites EID Eimco Water Technologies ELBW Electro Optic Systems Elektrobit Corporation Elite Ventures ELKAT Elmacom ELSIS Enerdyne Technologies Enersys Enterprise Control Systems Environics ESCO Corp ESG Esterline Defense Technologies ESW ETEC EURACOM Euro-Shelter Eurolinks EVPU Defence EWS Exide Technologies Extraspace Industries Eye Safety Systems ESS FAAC Fabryka Broni Łucznik Fabryka Produkcji Specjalnej Fastwave Communications Fedders Lloyd Corporation Fedegari Autoclavi FFG Fischer Connectors Fischer Panda FN HERSTAL Force 21 Equipment FRA Angelico Frestems Fy-Composites GARANT Gatekeeper GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms GE Security GEL Engineering General Cabins and Engineering Genetlab Technology Gentex Electro-Acoustics GEROH Gichner Shelter Systems Giertsen Tunnel Gill Sensors Global Armour Global Shelter Systems Global Water Group GMA GMT Gulf Telecom Hammar Maskin Hans Hamberger Hardigg UK Harrington Generators Harwin Hellweg International HESCO Hirtenberger Holdfast Systems Hollandia Homeland Security Strategies Honeywell-LMB Hospital Designers and Developers India HP Marketing Hunter Defense Hutchinson IAG IAL Projects Icore International IDM ILEE Imperial Armour In The Line Of Fire Indian Ordnance Factories Infratherm Insignius Instytut Przemyslu Organicznego Intermat International Armor Corporation INTRACOM Defense Electronics Invisio iRobot ISD Isode Iveco Defence Vehicles IVEMA J & S Franklin J&S Franklin Jack Ellis Body Protection Jacksons Fencing JB Roche Jeet Glass John Deere JSC Concern Sozvezdie Junghans Feinwerktechnik KADDB Kaercher Futuretech KAMAZ Kappa opto-electronics KATA Vitec I Kent Modular Electronics KHCK Kidde Aerospace & Defense Kinetics Koluman Kullman L-3 Space & Navigation Laingsdale Engineering Land Rover Laserdyne LBA International Lex Products Corporation Lind Electronics LINE-X Franchise Development Corporation LogIn Crete Lunor Mack Trucks Macroswiss MAN Military Vehicle Systems Marmon-Herrington Marshall Specialist Vehicles Marshall SV Martin Electronics Master-Pull Cobham Mast Systems MaxVision mb-microtec MECHEM MECO Medical Coaches Meo Products Limited Merc Engineering Mercedes-Benz MeshDynamics Mesko Metal Storm Mettler & Fuchs Mezcal Security MFC Survival MIAT Micronel Milan Box Corporation Milfoam Military Wraps Military-Industrial Company Millbrook Proving Ground mils electronic MilSys UK Missionpac MKU MMIST Modern Ceramics Company Modern World Ventures Modular Transportable Housing MOWAG MRP MS Kennedy Corporation MSA MSA GALLET MSE Weibull MTL Group Muirhead Aerospace Napco Nationwide Structures NBC-Sys NDR Resource International Netline Communications Newcon Optik Nicomatic NITROCHEMIE RHEINMETALL Defence Nodin Aviation Noptel Nordic Shelter Northrop Grumman Remotec Nova NSS Sweden Nurol Makina OAM ODU OMAR Omnetics Omnis Defence Technology Omnisec AG ORT OSG-Armor Oshkosh Defense Oskar Pedersen Otokar OTT Armoured Vehicles Overseas Lease Group OWR Oxley Group Ltd Oztiryakiler Madeni Esya Sanayi Ve Ticaret PHA Pacific Noise and Vibration Palbam PALFINGER Paramount Group Parker Hannifin Parvus Corp Patria Land and Armament Paulson PCTI Peace Keeper Middle East PEI UK Genesis Peli Peltor Perfect Bore Phoenicia Phoenix Internationals ATV Photonic PIAP Pinlock Technology Plasan Polyformes Ltd Polytronic Port-A-Cool Portsmouth Aviation Potomac Field Gear Power Sonix Power Train Plus Prefabrik Yapi Proengin Project Support Vehicles Protective Security Management PTG Pyramex Safety Radiant Antennas Radio Waves Radiotechnika Marketing RADMOR RADWAR Rafael Rajant Corporation Rapid Mobile RCS RD Taylor Ltd. Reactive Data Solutions Remote Project Services Group Remploy Textile Unit Renault Trucks Defense Retia Revision Eyewear Reyco Granning Suspensions RHEINMETALL DEFENCE ELECTRONICS Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Rheinmetall Waffe Munition Arges Rhomana Ricardo Defence Systems and Technologies Ricoh Corporation Ring Line Corporation ROFI Industrier Roketsan Rola-Trac Rolls-Royce RUAG Ammotec RUAG Electronics RUAG Land Systems Runflat Saab Saab Bofors Test Centre SABIEX International Sacil Saft Sarkar Saxon Containers Saymar Scanfiber Surveillance Consulting Group Schonstedt SCHOTT Sea Systems Secapem Sectra Communications SecurGlass International Companies SEDAB Sepson SESOLINC SETOLITE SEYNTEX SFC Shoshana-Metal SIE Computing Solutions Inc Signal Processing Know-how sInfraRed Singapore Technologies Kinetics Sital SJH Projects Skyhigh FX Sleeman Engineering SM Carapace SMAG Smart Box Smiths Detection Southern Inflatables Specialist Mobility Training Specialist Transport Services Spectrum Signal Processing SPELCO Star Wire Starburst Engineering Stoof International Stratign Stratos Streit Manufacturing SuperFlow Technologies Group SVOS SWE-DISH Symetrics Industries Synectics Surveillance Technology Tac Gear TACO Antenna Tactiq Tadiran Taiwan Carbon Technology Tallcoat Corporation TAM Tamor Target Logistics TATRA TCI Teleplan Globe telerob Temet Temet Oy TenCate Advanced Armour Tepe Prefabrik Terex Terma Ground Systems Terralogic Terrier Technologies Thales Air Defence ThalesRaytheonSystems Theissen Training Systems Theon Sensors S.A. Timoney High Mobility Vehicles TMB TOP-SKIN Gloves TouchTable Transcrypt Trelleborg Viking Triple-S Steel TriStar Manufacturing Trival Antene TRL Compliance Trunz Water Systems TSS UBS Corporation Ultimate Armour Works Ultra Electronics Ultralife UnatSolar Uniteam International unival group Utilis SAS Vacca VCAMM Vectronix Veldeman Structure Solutions Verolme Elektra Verseidag Ballistic Protection GmbH VestGuard UK Vicor Voxtec International VR Laser Services W.Giertsen Warfighter Electronics WARN Industrial Warwick Mills WB Electronics WBA Westwood International WEW WFEL WIBE Will-Burt Company Winkelmann WITPiS WKC WZM ZARGES Zephyr Zeppelin Mobile Systeme Zero Cases ZF Great Britain ZHENDRE ZPS
Verizon Awarded DoD IT Hosting Contract
2009-03-12 01:57:20
Under a new contract awarded by the US Defense Information Systems Agency, Verizon Business (www.verizonbusiness.com) will provide network and data services to the US Department of Defense at military installations and other government sites around the world. According to Verison's Wednesday announcement, the 10 year Defense Information System Network Transmission Services contract lets Verizon Business provide telecommunications services to the DoD in the Asia-Pacific region, the Caribbean, the Americas, and the Middle East. If all options are exercised, the contract has a maximum value of $2.5 billion. Verizon Business will provide network services ranging from individual circuits to fully managed transmission services, with bandwidth ranging from 64 Kbps to 10G wavelength over fiber-optics or satellite, or both. Also, Verizon Business will provide managed data services including Internet protocol, Ethernet and Internet services. "As a long-time communications provider for defense agencies, we have seen the government's demands for advanced, network-centric communications evolve, and we look forward to helping military installations remain on the cutting edge of the latest technology," Verizon Business federal division regional vice president Marlin Forbes said in a statement. "As the leading provider of communications to the federal government, we have unmatched experience helping the US military meet its missions around the globe." The Verizon Business-managed DTS-P II network is part of the Defense Information System Network and is monitored round-the-clock, 365 days a year. It supports many aspects of the US military's global operations. Verizon Business previously had provided network services under a previous contract and has the special designation of being the largest communications services provider to the US federal government, and one of the largest providers of advanced communications and information technology services globally. While less glamorous, earlier this week, Verizon Business was chosen by the NSG Group, an international glass and glazing products provider, to power its IT operations spanning 29 countries and sales in more than 130. After a major merger in 2006, the NSG Group has been seeking to centralise its network infrastructure with a single supplier, finally choosing Verizon's fully managed Private IP solution to provide secure, scalable and flexible connectivity for more than 430 NSG Group sites across Europe, India, Japan, and the Americas, helping the company streamline its global business operations, and achieve cost and management efficiencies.
JLTV BAE Systems Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Valanx
2009-04-12 00:18:45
The U.S. Joint Services have a requirement for a new Joint Light Tactical Wheeled Vehicle platform that provides better protection, survivability and capabilities than today’s fleet. BAE Systems, Navistar Defense and Arvin Meritor have teamed to compete for the JLTV program. The team is unmatched from concept to combat. It combines BAE Systems’ proven combat system design excellence, Navistar’s world-class supply chain, best-of-breed commercial production, and worldwide logistics and Arvin Meritor’s advanced mobility systems. The team is offering a purpose-built, Warfighter-centric JLTV design that provides unmatched strength, protection and support for the Warfighter. The Warfighter-centric design incorporates lessons learned from BAE Systems’ successful history of combat vehicle production and optimizes payload, protection and performance to meet all JLTV requirements. The team is testing prototypes and competing to win a 27-month Technology Demonstration contract. Variants : During the demonstration phase, the BAE Systems-Navistar team will submit seven prototype vehicles and four trailers for evaluation and testing by the Army. Technical data Armament On this time, there is not specific armament mounted to the vehicle, but in the future the vehicle can be fitted with a 12,7 mm or 7,62 mm machine gun for his self-protection. Protection The BAE Systems-Navistar JLTV proposal is named the Valanx. Valanx is a family of v-hulled, blast-resistant vehicles that optimize what's referred to as the "iron triangle" – payload, protection and performance – to meet all requirements of the JLTV program. The Valanx design incorporates lessons learned from the U.S. Department of Defense's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program and features the latest in lightweight, advanced armor and a v-shaped hull design to provide unmatched crew protection. The vehicles should be armoured, have network connectivity, be light enough to be transported by a range of aircraft and feature common parts, systems, tools, training and maintenance procedures. Propulsion The vehicle will out-perform existing tactical systems by providing exportable power that exceeds JLTV requirements and existing MRAP capabilities. Its modular design maximizes commonality across JLTV variants and enables the seamless integration of future technologies. The team also includes Arvin Meritor to manufacture the lightweight independent suspension and drivetrain solutions for the Valanx. The company is a leading designer and manufacturer of automotive advanced mobility systems and is the largest axle supplier to the U.S. military. Variants There are several variations of the Valanx designed to meet scouting, general mobility, infantry carrying, ambulatory and other needs for combat troops. Specifications Armament The basic version can be fitted with a 7,62 mm or 12,7 mm machine gun. Designer Company BAE Systems, Navistar Defense, Arvin Meritor. Accessories Requirements : Jam-resistant doors, automatic fire-extinguishing system, two run-flat tyres, Electronic monitoring to diagnose equipment and system failures Armor Basic armor, with additional add-on armour kit. Speed 105 km/h Range 650 km
United States Military Weapons of War
2009-05-06 12:00:36
There is no argument that the United States Military is the most powerful military in the World. We have achieved a level of technology in military weapons and equipment that no other nation on earth comes close to. So, what weapons and equipment is available to our military service members in times of war and conflict? This series will describe some of the main weapons and equipment items used by our members. It would take a very large book to thoroughly discuss all of the weapons and equipment used by the United States Military today, and I won't even try. This series will try to cover the highlights, starting with some of the main weapons and equipment used by the Infantry and Special Operations Units. In future parts of this series, I'll cover military vehicles, including tanks and armor, missiles and artillery, military aircraft, and military ships and submarines. Small Arms The basics of basics are the small arms weapons used by the individual infantryman. Here are the basic small arms used by the United States Army: M16A2 Rifle. The M16A2 is the standard issue rifle. It's carried by pretty much every soldier in a combat zone. Most people simply call it the M-16. The M-16 has been around in one version or another since the Vietnam war (the first version, the M16A1 entered Army service in 1964). It's longevity is creditable to its usefulness as a general assault weapon. It's quite simply one of the finest military rifles ever made (although advocates of the M-4 Carbine may argue with me). The rifle is lightweight, simple to operate, and puts out a lot of lead. The M16A2 5.56mm rifle is a lightweight, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed, shoulder or hip-fired weapon designed for either automatic fire (3-round bursts) or semiautomatic fire (single shot) through the use of a selector lever. The weapon has a fully adjustable rear sight. The bottom of the trigger guard opens to provide access to the trigger while wearing winter mittens. The upper receiver/barrel assembly has a fully adjustable rear sight and a compensator which helps keep the muzzle down during firing. The steel bolt group and barrel extension are designed with locking lugs which lock the bolt group to the barrel extension allowing the rifle to have a lightweight aluminum receiver. Primary function: Infantry weapon Manufacturer: Colt Manufacturing and Fabrique Nationale Manufacturing Inc. Length: 39.63 inches (100.66 centimeters) Weight, with 30 round magazine: 8.79 pounds (3.99 kilograms) Bore diameter: 5.56mm (.233 inches) Maximum effective range: Area target: 2,624.8 feet (800 meters) Point target: 1,804.5 feet (550 meters) Muzzle velocity: 2,800 feet (853 meters) per second Rate of fire: Cyclic: 800 rounds per minute Sustained: 12-15 rounds per minute Semiautomatic: 45 rounds per minute Burst: 90 rounds per minute Magazine capacity: 30 rounds Unit Replacement Cost: $586 M-4 Carbine The M-4 combat assault rifle first entered Army service in 1997. The rifle is the standard weapon used by some Army units such as the 82nd Airborne Division and special operations units, such as Army Rangers. With a shortened barrel and collapsible stock, the M-4 is ideal for close quarter marksmanship where light weight and quick action are required. Firing a standard 5.56 millimeter round, the weapon weighs a mere 5.6 lbs. (empty). A revised rear sight allows for better control of the weapon out to the maximum range of the ammunition used. With the PAQ-4 (Infrared Sight) mounted on the forward rail system, the M-4 can be fitted for increased firepower. The M-4 Carbine can also be fitted with the M-203 40mm grenade launcher. The M-203 is a lightweight, compact, breech loading, pump action, single shot launcher. The launcher consists of a hand guard and sight assembly with an adjustable metallic folding, short-range blade sight assembly, and an aluminum receiver assembly which houses the barrel latch, barrel stop and firing mechanism. The launcher is capable of firing a variety of low velocity 40mm ammunition. The launcher also has a quadrant sight that may be attached to the M-4 carrying handle and is used when precision is required out to the maximum effective range of the weapon. The M-4 in this photograph also has an M-68 close-quarters battle sight mounted on the rear rail and a PAQ-4 infra-red sight on the forward rail. Type: Compact assault rifle Entered Army Service: 1997 Specifications: Caliber: 5.56mm Weight: 5.65 lbs Range: 500 m Rate of fire: variable, depending on rate selected M-24 Sniper Weapon The M24 Sniper's Weapon System (SWS) represents a return to bolt action sniper rifles by the US Army. The rifle entered Army service in 1998. The M24 uses the Remington 700 action, although the receiver has been made for adaptation to take the .300 Winchester Magnum round. The stock (HS Precision) is made of a composite of Kevlar, graphite and fiberglass bound together with epoxy resins, and features aluminum bedding block and adjustable butt plate. A detachable bipod (Harris) can be attached to the stock's fore-end. The rifle is a bolt-action, six-shot repeating rifle (one round in the chamber and five rounds in the magazine). It is used with either the M3A telescope (day optic sight, usually called the M3A scope, a 10X fixed Leupold M3 Ultra telescope) or the metallic iron sight. This is the sniper weapon used by the Army. Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 win) Operation: Bolt Action Feed: 5-Round internal magazine Weight: 12.1 lb (5.49 kg) empty without telescope Length: 43in (1092mm) Sights: 10x42 Leupold Ultra M3A telescope sight (Mil-Dots), plus detachable emergency iron sights. (Redfield Palma International) Barrel: 24" length, 1 twist in 11.2", 5 lands & grooves. Stock: HS Precision - adjustable length. Max Effective Range: 800 meters (875 yards) Expected Accuracy: 1 MOA with M118 (Ammo is limiting factor) M40A1 Sniper Rifle This is the preferred sniper rifle for the U.S. Marine Corps. The M40A1 sniper rifle is based on the Remington model 700. It is a heavy barrel, bolt action, magazine fed 7.62mm rifle that is optimized for accuracy with Match Grade ammunition. The rifle is equipped with a special 10 power Unertl sniper scope. With scope, the rifle weighs approximately 14.5 pounds. It is equipped with a built-in five round magazine. The unique characteristics of the M40A1 Sniper Rifle are: commercial competition-grade heavy barrel, McMillan fiberglass stock and butt pad, modified Winchester Model 70 floor plate and trigger guard, and modified and lightened trigger. In addition, each stock is epoxy bedded for accuracy and all weapons must shoot less than one minute of angle (MOA). The M40A1 was put into service in the 1970s to meet the need of a long range sniper rifle. Each rifle is hand built by specially trained and qualified personnel at the Marine Corps Marksmanship Training Unit (MTU) at Quantico, Virginia. Length: 44 inches (111.76 centimeters) Barrel length: 24 inches (61 centimeters) Weight: 14.5 pounds (6.58 kilograms) Bore diameter: 7.62mm (.308 inches) Maximum effective range: 1000 yards (914 meters) Muzzle velocity: 2550 feet (777 meters) per second Chamber pressure: 50,000 psi Magazine capacity: 5 rounds Unit Replacement Cost: $2,105 M-249 SAW The M-249 is unofficially called the Minimi. The official name for the weapon is SAW which means Squad Automatic Weapon. Early test versions of the M-249 were plagued with problems, but the current model is considered reliable. The weapon entered Army service in 1987, replacing the M-60 Machine Gun. The M-249 is a .223 cal (5.56mm) gas operated light weight machine gun which feeds from a belt held in a 100 or 200 rounds box under the gun. This weapon has a plastic pistol grip and a folding stock so it can be kept compact and light. The M-249 machine gun is an ideal complementary weapon system for the infantry squad platoon. It is light enough to be carried and operated by one man, and can be fired from the hip in an assault, even when loaded with a 200-round ammunition box. The barrel change facility ensures that it can continue to fire for long periods. The US Army has conducted strenuous trials on the M249, showing that this weapon has a reliability factor that is well above that of most other small arms weapon systems. The weapon is used by the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps. Type: Squad automatic weapon Entered service: 1987 Specifications: Caliber: 5.56mm Length:100 cm Weight:16.3 lbs Range: 800 meters Rate of fire: 750 rounds per minute M-240 Machine Gun The M-240 entered Army and Marine Corps service in 1997. The M-240 is a version of FN's MAG 58 general-purpose machine gun. The M-240 fires the 7.62mm NATO round and is very reliable, with an estimated 26,000 Mean Rounds Between Failure (MRBF). Advantages of this weapon include its popularity with other nation's forces and number of configurations. For example, in a helicopter crash, the M-240d helicopter-mount version could be quickly modified by installing the bipod and butt stock of the M-240b version, which would then allow the weapon to be used for self defense by the surviving helicopter crew members. The M-240 is manufactured in the following configurations: M-240b is designed for infantry use. The "B" version weapon is equipped with a thermal shield over the rear of the barrel to protect the operator. The M-240c version is designed for use internally in M2/M3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The M-240d is designed for use on pintel mounts in helicopters and on the outside of tanks and armored vehicles. The M-240g version is used by special operations forces. The heat shield on this version is removed and there are special fittings for night sights. Type: Medium machine gun Entered service: 1997 Specifications: Caliber: 7.62mm Weight: 27.6 lbs Range: 1,100 m Rate of fire: 600-9 rounds per minute M-2 Machine Gun The Browning M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun, Heavy barrel is an automatic, recoil operated, air-cooled machine gun with adjustable headspace and is crew transportable with limited amounts of ammunition over short distances. By repositioning some of the component parts, ammunition may be fed from either the left or right side. A disintegrating metallic link-belt is used to feed the ammunition into the weapon. This gun is has a back plate with spade grips, trigger, and bolt latch release. This gun may be mounted on ground mounts and most vehicles as an anti-personnel and anti-aircraft weapon. The gun is equipped with leaf-type rear sight, flash suppressor and a spare barrel assembly. Associated components are the M63 antiaircraft mount and the M3 tripod mount. The M-2 is used by all of the United States Military Services. Builder: Saco Defense Length: 61.42 inches (156 centimeters) Weight: Gun: 84 pounds (38 kilograms) M3 Tripod (Complete): 44 pounds (19.98 kilograms) Total: 128 pounds (58 kilograms) Bore diameter: .50 inches (12.7mm) Maximum effective range: 2000 meters with tripod mount Maximum range: 4.22 miles (6.8 kilometers) Cyclic rate of fire: 550 rounds per minute Unit Replacement Cost: $14,002 M-9 Handgun Did you know that in combat, it's mostly officers who carry handguns? Most enlisted don't. Notable exceptions are military police, and special operations forces. The M-9 pistol is the primary sidearm for all of the military services. It entered the services in 1985 (1990 for the Army), pushing out the older M-1911A1 .45-caliber pistol, a weapon with an 80-year military history, and 4-inch-barrel, .38-caliber revolvers. The adoption of the M-9 pistol was the result of a congressional mandate to equip all U.S. services with a standard handgun. The Colt-designed M-1911A1 served soldiers well in many wars; some older soldiers argued, why replace it? As with other Army weapons, competition proved the M-9 to be the best sidearm. To get the nod, the M-9 had to meet strict requirements for functional reliability, speed of first shot, rapidity of fire, speed of reloading, range, penetration and accuracy to 50 yards. Also, the pistol's components had to be interchangeable, so a working weapon could be pieced together from the parts of others. The M-9 went through a series of rugged tests to evaluate its functionality. An extreme climatic test checked its ability to withstand temperatures between minus 40 and 140 degrees. A 10-day salt water immersion and humidity trial tested its resistance to corrosion. It tackled mud, sand, dirt and water to test its operation under adverse field conditions. A fully loaded weapon was dropped four feet onto a hard surface to test for accidental discharge. To test the ability to swap pistol components, testers fired and then disassembled 10 weapons. The parts were randomly put back together, then the weapons were fired again with no problems. If needed, the parts of weapons can be cannibalized to create a working pistol from broken ones. Type: Semiautomatic pistol Entered Army service: 1990 Specifications: Caliber: 9mm Length: 217mm Barrel length: 125mm Weight: 850 g Magazine capacity: 15 rounds Range: 50 m M-1014 Joint Service Combat Shotgun The Joint Service Combat Shotgun is a a compact, lightweight, semi-automatic, 12 gauge weapon configured with a standard magazine with a minimum capacity of six 2 3/4 inch cartridges. The Combat Shotgun is capable of firing 12 gauge 3.0 inch magnum ammunition and is interoperable with standard 2 3/4 inch ammunition without adjustment to the operating system. The M-1014 is constructed of lightweight polymer materials and corrosion resistant metal components. To enhance mission performance and provide increased operator flexibility, the M-1014 is equipped with modular components such as modular stocks in various configurations and modular barrels of various lengths. The Marine Corps was the lead agency in the test and evaluation of this shotgun. It is designed to replace the many different shotguns used in all of the military service. The shotgun was officially accepted for production in 2001. The weapon is primarily used by security forces and by special operations forces. Caliber: 12 gauge, accepts 23/4" and 3" standard and magnum loads. Length: 39.8" w/stock extended, 34.9" collapsed. Weight: 8.44 lbs. empty. Safety: Ambidextrous manual cross bolt. Magazine Capacity: Six 3" shells seven 23/4", plus one chambered round can be unloaded without cycling through the action. Trigger Pull: 5.5 to 7.28 lbs. Buttstock: Modular telescopic with removable pistol grip. Sights: Adjustable aperture rear and fixed post front, radius 23.7" Maximum Effective Range: 40 yards with 00 buckshot and in excess of 100 yards with the rifled slug. MP-5 Sub-Machine Gun The MP5-N fires from a closed and locked bolt in either the automatic or semiautomatic modes. This gun is recoil operated and has a unique delayed roller locked bolt system, a retractable butt stock, a removable suppressor, and illuminating flashlight integral to the forward hand guard. The flashlight is operated by a pressure switch custom fitted to the pistol grip. This is the same basic weapon used by the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team and other world-class counter-terrorist organizations. The present inventory includes both suppressed and non-suppressed versions of the MP5. The basic configuration of this weapon makes for an ideal size, weight,and capable (accuracy, lethality, reliability, etc.) close quarters battle weapon system. This weapon is manufactured by Heckler and Koch and is presently fielded to Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Companies and Marine Security Force Battalions, and Special Operations Units, such as Army Rangers, Delta Force, and Navy SEALS.. It is currently considered the main weapon in the close quarters battle (CQB) environment. Length: Collapsed stock: 19.29 inches (49 centimeters) Extended stock: 25.98 inches (66 centimeters) Weight: 7.44 pounds (3.38 kilograms) (w/30 round magazine) Bore diameter: 9mm (.355 inches) Maximum effective range: 328.1 feet (100 meters) Rate of fire: 800 rounds per minute Unit Replacement Cost: $894 Hand Grenades Hand grenades are nothing more than small bombs,containing explosives or chemicals, that can be thrown by hand or rigged as booby traps. Their origin has been traced back many centuries, and it is generally agreed that the Chinese, whom we credit with the invention of gunpowder, were first to use them. However, it was not until World War I that they were sufficiently developed to be effective and safe. By World War II, the grenade inventory expanded to include smoke grenades for signaling and screening, phosphorus and fragmentation grenades to produce casualties, and gas grenades for both casualty and riot control effects. The grenades being used today are in many respects representative of the entire history of the development of grenades. There are several varieties of hand grenades designed for many purposes. All of these grenades can be broadly classified into six general types: fragmentation, illumination, chemical, incendiary, smoke, and practice and training grenades. The M67 fragmentation grenade is the standard grenade used by the U.S. Military. It has a smooth, sheet-metal body and is shaped like a ball. Its outer case is lined on the inside with a serrated wire recoil. It is filled with 6.5 ounces of an explosive, known as Composition B, and uses a detonating type of fuze. When the detonator causes Composition B to explode,fragments of the body and fuze assembly are hurled in all directions. The M67 weighs 14 ounces and the average man can throw it 40 meters. The effective casualty-producing radius is 15 meters. Small Missiles and Mortars Sometimes you just need a bigger gun. There are times when infantry units need a little more firepower in the way of lightweight mortars or ground-to-air missiles to get rid of those bothersome enemy aircraft or tanks, or to punch through fortified buildings. Here are the main small ground-to-air missile systems and light mortars that are used by our "ground-pounders." FIM-9 Stinger Missile The Stinger weapon system is a man portable (34.5 pounds), shoulder-fired, supersonic missile system designed to counter high speed, low-level, ground attack aircraft. The Stinger is effective against helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and observation and transport aircraft. Once fired, the Stinger uses proportional navigation algorithms to guide the missile to a predicted intercept point. The Stinger missile can be used as a man portable air defense system (MANPAD) when the weapon is fired from the gunner’s shoulder, mounted aboard the Avenger weapons system, or mounted in the light armored vehicle-air defense variant (LAV-AD). The Stinger is a true “fire and forget” missile, requiring no inputs from the gunner once the weapon is fired. This allows the gunner to take cover, move to an alternate position, or engage additional targets. The Stinger also possesses an integral identification, friend or foe (IFF) subsystem to assist the gunner in identifying friendly aircraft. The launch motor ejects the missile from the launch tube. The missile coasts a safe distance (about 9 meters) from the gunner before the dual thrust flight motor ignites and provides a sustained 22 gravity acceleration that arms the missile. After the gunner arms the missile, a sustained flight phase maintains missile velocity until the propellant is consumed. Then the missile enters a free flight period in which the motor has burned out, but the missile maintains a degree of maneuverability prior to interception or self destruction. The warhead consists of a fuze assembly and the equivalent of one pound of high explosives encased in a pyrophoric titanium cylinder. The fuze is extremely safe and makes the missile exempt from any hazards of electromagnetic radiation to ordnance conditions. The warhead can be detonated by penetrating the target, impacting the target, or self-destruction. Self-destruction occurs 15 to 19 seconds after launch. Type: Short range air-defense missile Entered Army service: 1981 Propulsion: Dual thrust solid fuel rocket motor Length: 5 feet (1.5 meters) Width: 5.5 inches (13.96 centimeters) Weight: 12.5 pounds (5.68 kilograms) Weight fully armed: 34.5 pounds (15.66 kg) Range: 1 to 8 kilometers Ceiling 10,000 feet (3.046 kilometers) Speed: Supersonic in flight Crew: 2 enlisted Guidance system: Fire-and-forget passive infrared seeker Warheads: High explosive Rate of fire: 1 missile every 3 to 7 seconds Sensors: Passive infrared Unit Replacement Cost $38,000 Inventory: About 13,400 missiles available in the Army and Marine Corps M-252 Mortar The M252 81mm Medium Extended Range Mortar is a crew-served, medium weight mortar which is highly accurate and provides for a greater range (4,500 meters to 5,650 meters) and lethality than the previous 81mm mortar. The cannon has a crew-removable breech plug and firing pin. The muzzle end has a short tapered lead-in which acts as a blast attenuator device. The breech end is finned for better cooling. This mortar also uses the standard M64 mortar sight of the M-224 60mm mortar. The M252 is an adaptation of the standard British 81mm mortar developed in the 1970s. It is mostly commonly found in the mortar platoon of an Army or Marine Corps infantry battalion. The M252 is ideally suited to support airborne, air assault, mountain and light infantry units. The M-252 Mortar is used by the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps. Type: 81mm mortar Entered service: 1987 Caliber: 81mm Barrel length:4 ft 6 in Weight: 91 lbs Range: 5,600 meters Rate of fire: 15 rounds/min sustained M-224 Lightweight Mortar The M224 60mm Lightweight Mortar is a smooth bore, muzzle loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon. The cannon assembly is composed of the barrel, combination base cap, and firing mechanism. The mount consists of a bipod and a base plate which is provided with screw type elevating and traversing mechanisms to elevate/traverse the mortar. The M64 sight unit is attached to the bipod mount via a standard dovetail. An additional short range sight is attached to the base of the cannon tube for firing the mortar on the move and during assaults. It has a spring-type shock absorber to absorb the shock of recoil in firing. The M224 replaced the older (WWII era) M2 and M19, 60mm Mortars. These weapons only possessed 2,200 yards of effective range. The M224 was designed to fire all types of the older ammunition, but its primary rounds are of the newer, longer-range type. The weapon is used primary by the U.S. Marine Corps. Length: 40 inches (101.6 centimeters) Weight: 46.5 pounds (21.11 kilograms) Bore diameter: 60mm Maximum effective range: 2.17 miles (3490 meters) Rates of fire: Maximum: 30 rounds/minute Sustained: 20 rounds/minute Unit Replacement Cost: $10,658 AT4 Anti-Armor Weapon The M136 AT4 is the Army and Marine Corps's primary light anti-tank weapon. The M136 AT4 is a recoilless rifle used primarily by Infantry Forces for engagement and defeat of light armor. The recoilless rifle design permits accurate delivery of an 84mm High Explosive Anti-Armor warhead, with negligible recoil. The M136 AT4 is a lightweight, self-contained, anti armor weapon consisting of a free-flight, fin-stabilized, rocket-type cartridge packed in an expendable, one-piece, fiberglass-wrapped tube. The M136 AT4 is man-portable and is fired from the right shoulder only. The launcher is watertight for ease of transportation and storage. Though the M136 AT4 can be employed in limited visibility, the firer must be able to see and identify the target and estimate the range to it. Subsequent to the initial fielding of the weapon, a reusable night sight bracket was developed and fielded. It permits utilization of standard night vision equipment. The system's tactical engagement range is 250 meters and has been used in multiple combat situations. The round of ammunition is self-contained in a disposable launch tube. The system weighs 15 pounds and can be utilized effectively with minimal training. Primary function: Light anti-armor weapon Manufacturer: FFV Ordnance, Sweden and Alliant Techsystems Length: 40 inches (101.6 centimeters) Weight: 14.75 pounds (6.7 kilograms) Bore diameter: 84mm Maximum effective range: 984.3 feet (300 meters) Penetration: 400 mm of rolled homogenous armor Time of Flight (to 250 meters): less than 1 second Muzzle velocity: 950 feet (285 meters) per second Operating temperature: -104 to +140° F (-40 to +60° C) Ammunition: Rocket with shaped charge warhead Unit Replacement Cost: $1,480.64 Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon The Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) is designed to destroy bunkers and other fortifications during assault operations as well as other designated targets with the dual mode rocket and to destroy main battle tanks with the HEAA rocket. The SMAW is an 83mm man-portable weapon system consisting of the MK153 Mod 0 launcher, the MK 3 Mod 0 encased HEDP rocket, the MK 6 Mod 0 encased HEAA rocket, and the MK217 Mod 0 spotting rifle cartridge. The launcher consists of a fiberglass launch tube, a 9mm spotting rifle, an electro-mechanical firing mechanism, open battle sights, and a mount for the MK42 Mod 0 optical and AN/PVS-4 night sights. The High Explosive, Dual Purpose (HEDP) rocket is effective against bunkers, masonry and concrete walls, and light armor. The High Explosive Anti-Armor (HEAA) rocket is effective against current tanks without additional armor. The 9mm spotting rounds are ballistically matched to the rockets and increase the gunner's first round hit probability. Training is accomplished with the MK7 Mod 0 encased common practice rocket and the MK213 Mod 0 noise cartridge. The SMAW MK153 Mod 0 launcher is based on the Israeli B-300 and consists of the launch tube, the spotting rifle, the firing mechanism, and mounting brackets. The launch tube is fiberglass/epoxy with a gel coat on the bore. The spotting rifle is a British design and is mounted on the right side of the launch tube. The firing mechanism mechanically fires the spotting rifle and uses a magneto to fire the rocket. The mounting brackets connect the components and provide the means for boresighting the weapon. The encased rockets are loaded at the rear of the launcher. The spotting cartridges are stored in a magazine in the cap of the encased rocket. Originally developed as a unique weapon for the U.S. Marine Corps, during Desert Storm, 150 launchers and 5,000 rockets were provided to the U.S. Army. The Army subsequently added the weapon to its inventory. Primary function: Portable anti-armor rocket launcher. Length: To Carry: 29.9 inches (75.95 centimeters) Ready-to-Fire: 54 inches (137.16 cm) Weight: To Carry: 16.6 pounds (7.54 kg) Ready-to-Fire (HEDP): 29.5 pounds (13.39 kg) Ready-to-Fire (HEAA): 30.5 pounds (13.85 kg) Bore diameter: 83mm Maximum effective range: 1 x 2 Meter Target: 250 meters Tank-Sized Target: 500 meters Introduction date: 1984 Unit Replacement Cost: $13,000 Dragon Weapon System The Dragon Weapon System is designed to engage and destroy armor and light armored vehicles. The weapon is also effective against hard targets such as bunkers and field fortifications. The warhead power of Dragon makes it possible for a single Marine or soldier to defeat armored vehicles, fortified bunkers, concrete gun emplacements, or other hard targets. The launcher consists of a smoothbore fiberglass tube, breech/gas generator, tracker and support, bipod, battery, sling, and forward and aft shock absorbers. Non-integral day and night sights are required to utilize the Dragon. The complete system consists of the launcher, the tracker and the missile, which is installed in the launcher during final assembly and received by the military in a ready to fire condition. The launch tube serves as the storage and carrying case for the missile. The night tracker operates in the thermal energy range. The first-generation Dragon, a 1000-meter system requiring 11.2 seconds flight-to-target time, was developed for the US Army and fielded in 1970. A product improvement program (PIP) was initiated by the Marine Corps in 1985 and managed by NSWC Dahlgren. The PIP, designated Dragon II, was designed to increase warhead penetration effectiveness by 85%. The Dragon II missile is actually a retrofit of warheads to the first generation missiles already in the Marine Corps and Army inventory. TOW Missile System The tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missile is a crew-portable, vehicle-mounted, heavy anti armor weapon system consisting of a launcher and one of five versions of the TOW missile. It is designed to defeat armored vehicles and other targets such as field fortifications from ranges up to 3,750 meters. After firing the missile, the gunner must keep the crosshairs of the sight centered on the target to ensure a hit. The system will operate in all weather conditions in which the gunner can see a target throughout the missile flight by using either a day or night sight. The TOW system is used on the high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV), the M151 jeep, the armored personnel carrier, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV), COBRA helicopters, the Improved Tow Vehicle (ITV), and the USMC light armored vehicle. Three of the five TOW missile versions—Basic TOW, Improved TOW, and TOW 2—are no longer being produced for U.S. forces. However, these versions are used by 43 allied countries, and Switzerland co-produces the missile system. In the late 1980s, Hughes Aircraft Company, prime contractor for the TOW weapon system, began producing the TOW 2A which gave the system the capability of defeating reactive armor. The TOW 2B provides additional capability against future armored threats. In May 1972, U.S. soldiers used the TOW in combat during the Vietnam War. This was the very first time that American troops had ever fired an American-made missile under wartime conditions. The system has also seen action in various clashes between Israel and Syria as well as during the Iran/Iraq war. The TOW was one of the earliest missile systems to arrive in Southwest Asia and proved to be highly effective throughout Operation Desert Storm. Individual Equipment It's not all about guns and shooting. Here are some nifty individual equipment items used by our soldiers and Marines. AN/PVS-14 Night Vision Device AN/PVS-14 Monocular Night Vision Device (MNVD) is a light-weight, third generation night vision device that gives the soldier the operational advantage to “see at night.” NVDs (known also as Night Vision Goggles) are electro-optical devices that intensify (or amplify) existing light instead of relying on a light source of their own. The devices are sensitive to a broad spectrum of light, from visible through infrared. An accessory illuminator can increase the light available at the infrared end of the spectrum by casting a beam of light that is not visible to the human eye. When a soldier looks "through" a NVD, an amplified electronic image is seen on a phosphor screen, giving the soldier the ability to operate with little or no illumination from the moon, stars, or other ambient light sources. The PVS-14 system can be used with the head mount, as shown, or with a Kevlar helmet mount. Field of View (degrees): 40 degrees Min Focus Range: 40 cm Weight (unit): 420 grams Infrared light emitting diode Automatic brightness protection Variable gain control knob Low battery indicator Power Source: 2) AA batteries (Alkaline) Operating temperature: -51 C to + 49 C Storage temperature: -51 C to + 85 C Immersion: 1 meter for 30 minutes SINCGARS RT-1523E Radio The SINCGARS RT-1523E Advanced System Improvement Program (ASIP) Radio is the primary Combat Net Radio for the US Army, designated primarily for voice command and control for infantry, armor, and artillery units. The radio is a Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System which incorporates all the features of previous radio systems used with further enhancements to reduce it’s weight and size for the dismounted soldier and optimize its performance in the tactical internet. This is mainly due to the internal redesign of the radio and taking advantage of software based Digital Signal Processing (DSP) architecture. The ASIP radio is one-half the size and one-third the weight of the full size radio. With battery, handset and antenna, the total man pack weight is less than 9 lbs. The system is used for all inter-platoon communications. SINCGARS is capable of short-range or long-range operation for voice or digital communications. It can be used for single channel operation or in a jam-resistant, frequency-hopping mode that can be changed as needed. 30-88 MHz VHF-FM 2320 Channels Single Channel and Frequency Hopping 6 FH Presets (including TRANSEC keys) 6 Single-channel Presets Plus Manual and Cue Channels Enhanced Data Mode (BPS) 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600 Standard Data Mode (BPS) 600, 1200, 2400, 4800, 16,000 Size: 3.4" high, 5.3" wide, and 10.15" deep 33 Hr. Battery Life Embedded GPS Option Comprehensive Built-in Test Isolates Fault to Individual Module Mollie Vest MOLLE is an Army and Marine Corps item that replaces the aging ALICE (All-purpose, Lightweight, Individual Carrying Equipment) pack and Integrated Individual Fighting System introduced in 1988. One of the main components of the MOLLE system is the nylon mesh vest that has removable pockets to accommodate different carrying needs. Some of the new technology centers on the MOLLE's frame. Instead of the tubular aluminum used with the ALICE, a new anatomically-contoured frame made with plastic originally used in automobile bumpers has dramatically increased durability, functioning in temperatures ranging from -40 to 120 degrees F. MOLLE also advances load-carrying ability with its new suspension system. Heavily-padded shoulder straps and waist belt are adjustable for varying torso lengths, eliminating the two sizes of ALICE. More weight is distributed at the shoulders and hips, and during a prolonged road march, soldiers can shift the weight to where it feels more comfortable. Additionally, the Fighting Load Carrier (FLC) replaces the Load Bearing Equipment (LBE) web belt and suspenders of the ALICE. Soldiers and Marines can significantly increase the amount of ammunition they carry, and weight is evenly distributed across the torso. The vest has no metal clips or hooks that can be awkward and dig into the skin, and it has an H-harness in back to minimize heat buildup. It's adjustable to all sizes, and because the vest sits high, soldiers can fasten the MOLLE frame waist belt underneath the FLC to distribute some of the load to the hips. Three flap pockets on the FLC each hold two 30-round magazines, two grenade pockets and two canteen pouches. Flak Vest Getting shot or hit by shrapnel can ruin your entire day in combat. In October of 2002, the Army and Marine Corps began issuing a new kevlar flak vest that is 35 percent lighter than the previous version. The 16.4-pound Interceptor system consists of a tactical vest and a pair of small arms protective inserts. The Kevlar vest includes detachable neck and groin guards, while the ceramic plates slide into pockets on the front and rear. By itself, the Interceptor vest insulates a soldier from shrapnel and 9-mm pistol rounds. When the protective inserts are added, the system acts as a ballistic barrier to 7.62-mm rifle ammunition. The previous flak vest only offered protection against fragmentation. The Interceptor's inter-changeable components give troops the ability to dress to the level of a particular threat. Applications include combat operations, peace-keeping missions and field-training exercises. Regardless of the situation, Interceptor Body Armor functions as an effective defense against mines, grenades, mortar shells, artillery fire and rifle projectiles. The Interceptor system allows commanders increased capability in the area's of survivability and maneuverability. Survivability due to the ability to withstand up to 7.62 mm hits and maneuverability due to the 8.7-pound weight savings of the new system. Land Warrior American soldiers and Marines are already among the most deadly in the world, but a system called Land Warrior will soon make them unmatched. While Land Warrior is officially still in the test & development stage, there is no doubt that some units are and will be "testing" the system in real combat environments. Land Warrior integrates small arms with high-tech equipment enabling ground forces to deploy, fight and win on the battlefields of the 21st century. Land Warrior came about in 1991 when an Army study group recommended the service look at the soldier as a complete weapon system. The first priority in Land Warrior is lethality. The second is survivability and the third, command and control. The program will cost $2 billion when 45,000 sets of the equipment are fielded between 2001-2014. The Marine Corps, Air Force and many foreign countries are interested in the system. First and foremost, Land Warrior is a fighting system. Land Warrior has several subsystems: the weapon, integrated helmet assembly, protective clothing and individual equipment, computer/radio, and software. The weapon subsystem is built around the M-16/M-4 modular carbine. It has a laser range finder/digital compass, a daylight video camera, a laser aiming light and a thermal sight. This system allows infantrymen to operate in all types of weather and at night. In conjunction with other components, a soldier can even shoot around corners without exposing himself to enemy fire. The integrated helmet assembly is lighter and more comfortable than today's helmet. It has a helmet-mounted monocular day display, a night sensor with flat panel display, a laser detection module, ballistic/laser eye protection, a microphone and a headset. The protective clothing and individual equipment subsystem incorporates modular body armor and upgrade plates that can stop small-arms rounds fired point-blank. It includes an integrated load-bearing frame, chemical/biological protective garments and modular rucksack. The infantryman attaches the computer/radio subsystem to his load-bearing frame. Over this goes the rucksack for personal gear. The computer processor is fused with radios and a Global Positioning System locator. A hand grip wired to the pack and attached to the soldier's chest acts as a computer mouse and also allows the wearer to change screens, key on the radio, change frequencies and send digital information. The subsystem comes in two flavors: The leader version has two radios and a flat panel display/keyboard, and soldiers have one radio. With the equipment, leaders and soldiers can exchange information. Soldiers using their weapon-mounted camera, for example, can send videos to their leaders. Finally, the software subsystem includes tactical and mission support modules, maps and tactical overlays, and the ability to capture and display video images. The system also contains a power management module. Designers set up the system so it can be updated as technology improves. One problem the Army must overcome before final fielding is power. Current batteries last about 150 minutes with all systems running. Clearly soldiers won't have all systems running all the time, but the Army does not consider this acceptable. Other batteries under development by the Army's Communications- Electronics Command may push the time up to 30 hours. The first Land Warrior production version will be fielded in fiscal 2004. The Army expects to procure 34,000 sets of the system. That system will be more streamlined then the "test systems" in use today and will contain a multifunction laser. Soldiers will be able to point the laser at a target and the information will go directly to the network. This will allow the soldier to call for artillery fire, for example, without having to voice transmit coordinates.
How Future Combat Systems Will Work
2009-05-17 20:43:03
The Future Combat Systems (FCS) initiative is a massive overhaul of military technology intended to prepare the U.S. Army for modern warfare. Current projections suggest that it will be the most expensive military project in U.S. history and will take decades to design and complete. Creating the hardware, software, networks and integration necessary to make FCS work is an incredibly complicated project. The Army wants to dominate the full-spectrum battlefield - land, sea and air. To accomplish this, it will need several different types of units. The Army must also link its operations with that of the other military branches, and the militaries of other nations that might join them in a coalition operation. FCS is a "system of systems," because it actually comprises 18 separate systems. Each system is a type of unit, such as an unmanned artillery vehicle, a manned tank or a command and control vehicle. FCS is also sometimes called "18+1+1," where the "+1"s represent the network and the soldier who will utilize the systems. If the Army were simply revamping their military hardware and designing 18 new combat and logistics units, that would be a major project by itself. Designing all 18 from the ground up with the architecture to link every unit makes FCS truly revolutionary. So why is the Army undertaking such a huge project? Military experts believe the nature of warfare is changing. Large-scale territory battles like those fought in World War II will disappear. Instead, the Army will probably face insurgencies and smaller conflicts spread out over wide areas. Tomorrow's Army needs the ability to deploy and redeploy as quickly as possible. To this end, the FCS has four main goals: Improve strategic agility An Army with large, inflexible units that take months to deploy can't react quickly enough or deal with all of the problems at hand. Some military analysts refer to this as "having a pocket full of $20 bills and a lot of $5 problems" [ref]. Decrease the logistics footprint The logistics footprint represents the support crews, fuel, parts and ammunition needed to keep a unit operational. Long supply chains, large refueling vehicles and the need to set up large maintenance depots work against agility and makes the forces that they're attached to more vulnerable. Reduce operating and maintenance costs Creating multiple units based on the same basic structures allows for exchangeable parts and gives maintenance personnel the ability to repair a wider range of units with the same amount of training. This also contributes to a smaller logistics footprint and greater agility. The Army is focusing on smaller, lighter vehicles that are faster and more maneuverable. Instead of heavy armor, units will use stealth strategies and smaller profiles to reduce casualties. Lighter vehicles are also easier to transport and use less fuel. The Army will combine its efforts with other military branches and other nations. This makes the ability to communicate with coalition forces a vital facet of future warfare. Increase battlefield lethality and survivability Tomorrow's soldiers need to destroy their targets and survive attacks a greater percentage of the time. This reduces the number of units needed in any particular engagement, reduces the need for extensive reinforcements and eases the burden on medical and repair units. Meeting the Needs of Future Warfare The network is the core of Future Combat Systems. It will allow each unit to share real-time information with other units, coordinate movement and react to battlefield conditions quickly and accurately. Network-centric warfare is a relatively new concept that unifies all of the advantages gained by other elements of FCS. For example, a tank platoon that can be deployed quickly and move with agility has no advantage if their orders are delayed or unclear, or if their commanders don't have enough information to make the right decision in the shortest amount of time. The network will allow for speed of command. Network-centric warfare changes the way commanders look at their armies. Instead of a contest of numbers (my 3,000 troops can beat your 1,000 troops), the U.S. Army becomes one entity with many parts that can shift and adapt to quickly-developing situations. Information is shared across the entire network. The network comprises several components. The Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS, often referred to as "Jitters"), was designed to do away with the need for multiple bulky radio systems using various frequencies and encryption methods. It would allow all branches of the U.S. military to communicate with each other from land, sea and air using the same system. However, critics found the JTRS plan of replacing older analog radios (many of which aren't very old at all, having just been purchased for operations in the Middle East) overly ambitious and almost impossible to implement. Today, JTRS is still in development as a supplemental communications program that will act as a soldier's "gateway" to the overall FCS network [ref]. The System-of-Systems Common Operating Environment (SOSCOE) is software that will allow all of the various systems to operate seamlessly. It will take roughly 35 million lines of code to properly program SOSCOE [ref]. The operating system is a blend of Linux and an Intel-based OS specially created for the Army. The WIN-T system is the data transport system that will connect the FCS systems. WIN-T will utilize lasers, satellites and more conventional ground networks. The WIN-T system is basically a tactical Internet, keeping fast-moving units in communication with operational leadership. Not only does WIN-T have to provide the massive amount of bandwidth to carry all of the information FCS will be generating, but it must also be strong enough to deal with the battlefield environment [ref]. Changing Needs The need for tactical agility has led the Army to focus design efforts on lighter, faster combat vehicles. Today's main battle tank, the M1 Abrams, weighs 65 to 70 tons, depending on its configuration. Its front armor is capable of stopping just about any anti-tank round in existence. However, next-generation ballistic weapons will strike with immense force. Instead of layering a tank with more armor, creating a heavier, slower vehicle, the Army has opted for a 20-ton design. These future tanks will use ultra-modern technologies (some of which don't actually exist yet) to resist anti-tank weapons. New armor materials are one part of the plan, but the tanks will also have a small signature - its small size will make it tougher to find and hit. An active suspension system will allow the tank to "crouch" into a very low position. The Army will also employ active countermeasures like smoke screens to obscure line of sight and small rocket rounds that can intercept incoming rounds from enemies. According to a press release, "The Army transformation requirements includes the ability to put a combat-capable brigade anywhere in the world within 96 hours, a full division in 120 hours, and five divisions on the ground within 30 days" [ref]. One way to increase strategic agility is to allow fewer soldiers to do more work. This continues a trend that has gone on for centuries. At the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union line was a few miles long and covered by roughly six corps. The average tourist can walk the length of the line in one afternoon. During the Cold War, roughly the same number of NATO troops (and corps) covered the entire inter-German border - a distance that you certainly could not walk in an afternoon [ref]. FCS will allow for even greater dispersion of forces by utilizing unmanned vehicles, unmanned weapons platforms and robot sentries. Manned vehicles will require smaller crews - the FCS tank will have a crew of just two, compared to the M1's crew of four. The Army wants to reduce the amount of fuel needed by its units by as much as 30 percent. For example, the gas turbine engine that powers the M1 Abrams gives it enormous power and the ability to travel close to 45 mph, but it also uses an incredible amount of fuel. Vehicles and tanks developed for FCS will likely use some form of electric-hybrid engine, increasing both available torque and fuel efficiency. In the next section we'll learn more about these vehicles and the other vehicles planned for FCS. Systems and Vehicles The FCS project includes the design and development of several different types of air and ground vehicles, many of them unmanned and autonomous. Most of these vehicles don't exist yet, but some prototypes have been developed and demonstrated by contractors. A few are already in use in Iraq to dispose of explosive and perform urban reconnaissance. Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) These small sensor arrays are similar to "Star Wars" droids, but they're not quite as mobile. After soldiers or robotic vehicles deploy them, they will be able to stay in place to do their jobs. Those jobs may include guarding areas of a perimeter, detecting chemical or radioactive materials, providing links in communications chains, spotting targets for other units to fire upon, and assisting in crowd control by directing people to head in a certain direction. They can also be switched on and off to allow friendly troops to move through the area. Non-line of Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS) These systems would come in discreet packages containing a computer, a communication system for connection to the network, and 15 missiles. Soldiers can give the missiles their launch instructions remotely, and can further modify targeting once they are in the air. Intelligent Munitions System Similar to Unattended Ground Sensors, these robotic units will be deployed to an area to guard it with suppressive weapons. This will aid in troop dispersion, help organize battlefields and force enemy troops into desired positions. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles The FCS plan also calls for four different classes of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): The Class I UAV will weigh less than 15 pounds, take off and land vertically, and provide intelligence, surveillance and communications relay functions. It will be remote-controlled and portable. Class II will be deployed from a vehicle, stay in the air for 2 hours and have a range of about 10 miles (16 km). According to the Army's FCS Web site, the Class II UAV "supports the Infantry and Mounted Combat System Company Commanders with reconnaissance, security/early warning, target acquisition and designation." The Class III UAV will look like a small, simplified airplane. It will take off and land without a dedicated airfield and fly longer and farther than Class I and II UAVs. Class IV will be an unmanned helicopter that can stay in the air and provide surveillance over an area of 47 miles (75 km) for up to 24 hours. Armed Robotic Vehicle (ARV) One of the most revolutionary aspects of FCS is the adoption of these robotic tanks. These units will be controlled remotely and provide many of the functions of a manned tank unit. They will offer support for troops with direct fire, anti-tank fire and over-watch fire. ARVs will also increase troop dispersion. Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) These units are already in use in Iraq. Talon robots and Packbots have seen significant action in explosive disposal and urban reconnaissance missions, and future versions will have offensive capabilities. Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment (MULE) The MULE will be the workhorse of the FCS. This two-and-a-half ton truck will be able to operate via remote control or as a slave unit following a controlled vehicle in front of it. In addition to hauling equipment, the MULE will have a mine-sweeping configuration and an armed light assault configuration. Crusher, an autonomous unmanned ground vehicle developed by Carnegie Mellon University, is essentially a prototype MULE. It can carry weapons and drive over a 4-foot vertical wall with 8,000 pounds of cargo onboard. To learn more, check out How Crusher Works. Mounted Combat System (MCS) The MCS is probably the most important piece of hardware in FCS, aside from the network. The MCS will replace the M1 Abrams main battle tank and will maintain a comparable survivability rate by using speed, situational awareness and an extremely long range 120-mm weapon to avoid close-up confrontations. Its 20-ton weight means that many MCS units will be able to ship via C-130 transport planes. They can also be parasailed into position if necessary. To make the fleet more versatile while reducing operations and maintenance costs: Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) With a crew of two, the ICV will transport nine additional soldiers to the battlefield. It will carry all of their equipment, provide a link to the network and protect itself with a 40-mm weapon. Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C) This vehicle is will be a mobile long-range artillery unit. Non-Line-of-Sight Mortar (NLOS-M) This vehicle is similar to the NLOS-C, but it will use a mortar as a weapon instead of a long-range cannon. This will give it the ability to provide close support for infantry and use precision rounds to destroy highly dangerous targets. Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicle (RSV) The RSV is a high-tech scout equipped with a host of sensors, radio frequency interceptors, chemical detectors and communications link-ups. Command and Control Vehicle (C2V) The C2V is the mobile field headquarters unit for military commanders. This vehicle offers all the network connections and information analysis tools that field leaders need to make command decisions on the fly. Medical Vehicle – Treatment (MV-T) and Evacuation (MV-E) These vehicles will allow medical personnel and trauma specialists to move with combat units, placing them closer to the battle and allowing them to treat wounded soldiers quickly and evacuate them safely. FCS Recovery and Maintenance Vehicle (FRMV) FRMVs will primarily carry repair and maintenance crews. They also have a limited capability to recover damaged equipment and crews from the battlefield. The Future Force Warrior The individual soldier makes up the final element of FCS. Using the latest advances in personal body armor, an on-board computer and built-in networking, tomorrow's soldiers will have amazing situational awareness on any battlefield, and will be able to accomplish military tasks with greater efficiency. Check out How the Future Force Warrior Will Work to learn more. How FCS Might Not Work The Army is using spiral development to develop the FCS. Instead of working on the entire project from start to finish, with no deployable elements until everything is completed, contractors are developing systems incrementally. Finished subsystems will be immediately deployed for testing. Problems discovered with those units can be overcome as the Army adds more systems are added, and it can improve upon and upgrade early systems. The Army keeps moving up the launch date for FCS because they want to get the technology into the field as soon as possible. It plans to deploy a test unit in 2008, with more systems releasing every two years until 2014. By that time, there will be 32 FCS-equipped brigades. The Army hopes to have the ability to equip any brigade with a fully-functional FCS system in 2016. It will take years beyond that point to fully equip the entire Army. Like any complex design project, FCS is not entirely without problems. Critics point to several factors: Cost All military research and development programs face questions about cost. Initially, FCS was projected to cost under $100 billion. In 2003, that increased to $175 billion [ref]. The latest estimates suggest the project will cost about $300 billion, making it the most expensive military project in U.S. history. With Congress threatening to trim some of the FCS budget, contractors working on the project have aggressively demonstrated the need for FCS in a series of seminars. It seems to have worked, because in 2006 a paltry $236 million was cut from Boeing's FCS budget over four years [ref]. However, the possibility of future budget cuts remains. Cost-plus pricing Government contracts typically use a cost-plus pricing method. With this method, the contractor bills the government for the price of any material, personnel and other direct costs associated with the project. Then the government pays the contractor a fee based on a percentage of those direct costs. This method can encourage contractors to purchase at inflated prices and let project costs escalate, since the higher their costs, the higher their profit. Reliance on light armor Critics of the 20-ton replacement for the M1 Abrams tank contend that the modern light tanks will undoubtedly face heavy armor in close fighting, which will leave them extremely vulnerable. They fear that abandoning heavy tank designs will leave a major gap in the Army's capabilities. At the very least, the Army will need to retrofit older M1s to stay in action as a form of heavy armor. FCS is so ambitious that in some cases, the technology does not yet exist to accomplish it. The revision – some would say failure – of the JTRS system is one example of a system that has exceeded our current ability to actually make it work. Advanced ballistic armor, robotic control systems, automated sensors and high-bandwidth networks are all potential problem areas. It is likely that some FCS systems will never be fully functional and that current units and technologies will be retrofitted and upgraded to fit into the plan. For lots more information about Future Combat Systems, the military and related topics, check out the links on the next page.
Future U.S. Military Satellite Communication Systems
2009-05-26 12:28:18
The current military satellite communications network represents decades-old technology. To meet the heightened demands of national security in the coming years, newer and more powerful systems are being developed. Advances in information technology are fundamentally changing the way military conflicts are resolved. The ability to transmit detailed information quickly and reliably to and from all parts of the globe will help streamline military command and control and ensure information superiority, enabling faster deployment of highly mobile forces capable of adapting quickly to changing conditions in the field. Satellite communications play a pivotal role in providing the interoperable, robust, "network-centric" communications needed for future operations. In 1997, the Senior Warfighters' Forum established a road map charting the course of military satellite communications through 2010. In 2002, there will be course corrections as the Department of Defense pursues an aggressive acceleration in the delivery of improved communications capability. Military satellite communications (or milsatcom) systems are typically categorized as wideband, protected, or narrowband. Wideband systems emphasize high capacity. Protected systems stress antijam features, covertness, and nuclear survivability. Narrowband systems emphasize support to users who need voice or low-data-rate communications and who also may be mobile or otherwise disadvantaged (because of limited terminal capability, antenna size, environment, etc.). Milsatcom is a system of systems that provides balanced wideband, narrowband, and protected communications capability for a broad range of users across diverse mission areas. The anticipated implementation of advanced architectures, supported by heightened connectivity in space as well as on the ground, will enable national security space communications to take advantage of commercially developed Internet-like communications, but with greater assurance and security. For wideband communication needs, the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite program and the Advanced Wideband System will augment and eventually replace the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS). These satellites will transmit several gigabits of data per second—up to ten times the data flow of the satellites being replaced. Protected communications will be addressed by a global extremely high frequency (EHF) system, composed of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency System and Advanced Polar System. These systems are expected to provide about ten times the capacity of current protected satellites (the Milstar satellites). Narrowband needs are supported by the UFO (Ultrahigh-frequency Follow-On) constellation, which will be replaced by a component of the Advanced Narrowband System (see Milsatcom Timeline). Capacity gains in these systems will also be matched by improved features, such as multiple high-gain spot beams that are particularly important for small terminal and mobile users. Satellite, terminal, control, and planning segments will utilize emerging technology to ensure the best capability for the cost. Coordination among ground, air, and space segments and between government and commercial assets will help ensure deployment of the most efficient, effective, and affordable communications systems. The Wideband Gapfiller Satellite program will provide the next generation of wideband communications for the Department of Defense. (Boeing Satellite Systems) Wideband Communications Assured capacity is the primary goal of the military's wideband communications sector. Wideband data rates are defined as those greater than 64 kilobits per second, although the line between wideband and narrowband is blurring as commercial data rates to disadvantaged users move higher. The military's wideband requirements are currently supported by DSCS and the Global Broadcast Service, as well as commercial systems. These military systems, together with the planned Wideband Gapfiller satellites, will form the Interim Wideband System, which will eventually give way to the Advanced Wideband System. Wideband Gapfiller Satellites The Wideband Gapfiller Satellite program will provide the next generation of wideband communications for the Department of Defense (DOD). The constellation will supplement the military X-band (roughly 7–8 gigahertz) communications capability now provided by the Defense Satellite Communications System and the military Ka-band (about 20–21 gigahertz down, 30–31 gigahertz up) capability of the Global Broadcast Service. In addition, the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite program will include a high-capacity two-way Ka-band capability to support mobile and tactical personnel. The name "Gapfiller" is somewhat misleading because this very capable wideband communication payload will include state-of-the-art technology and provide a major leap in capability. Preliminary estimates indicate that one Wideband Gapfiller spacecraft will provide transmission capacity up to 2.4 gigabits per second. This capability alone exceeds the capacity of the entire existing DSCS and Global Broadcast Service constellations. Throughput capacity is divided among nine X-band beams and ten Ka-band beams. Eight of the X-band beams are formed by separate transmitting and receiving phased-array antennas, which provide the ability to shape and scale coverage areas. The ninth X-band beam provides Earth coverage. The ten Ka-band beams are formed by gimbaled dish antennas and include three beams with reversible polarization. (Polarization—the direction of the electric field of an antenna—plays an important part in optimizing reception or reducing the effects of jamming). The military satellite communications framework is a system of systems that provides connectivity for a broad range of users across diverse mission areas. In the future the framework will support "network-centric" warfare through an architecture that promotes the interconnection of satellites and constellations in space, as well as through ground nodes. The key to the very flexible payload is the digital channelizer (or digital signal processor). The channelizer divides the communications capacity into 1872 subchannels of 2.6 megahertz each and switches and routes these subchannels. The signals can be cross-banded from one frequency band to another and any uplink coverage can be connected to any downlink coverage. Also, any uplink signal within one coverage area can be connected to any or all downlink coverages. The implementation plan calls for a minimum of three geosynchronous spacecraft and associated ground control software, with an option for up to three additional spacecraft. The payload will be integrated into a commercial spacecraft bus. Each satellite will weigh approximately 5900 kilograms at launch and use more than 10,000 watts of power. This design uses bipropellant chemical propulsion for orbit raising and xenon ion propulsion to remove orbit eccentricity and for station keeping. The mean mission duration for each spacecraft is 11.8 years. The Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) is part of the Interim Wideband System, along with the Global Broadcast Service and the Wideband Gapfiller System. (Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space) Synchronization of the various Wideband Gapfiller Satellite segments is under way, and 1700 operational wideband terminals are expected by 2010. Terminals capable of operating within several frequency bands are a fundamental piece of the wideband architecture, and a recent contract awarded to Harris Corporation for up to 200 lightweight, high-capacity quad-band Ground Multiband Terminals (GMTs) will help ensure the delivery of communications services through the Wideband Gapfiller satellites, as well as through the current DSCS, future Advanced Wideband System, and commercial satellite systems. Also, the Army's Multiband/multimode Integrated Satellite Terminal (MIST) will provide up to megabits-per-second capacity for mobile communications in the next decade. Responsibility for control of the satellites will be shared among various branches of the armed services. Network control will rely on existing worldwide ground facilities operated by the Army. Spacecraft control will be conducted by Air Force operators using the Command and Control System—Consolidated (CCS-C). The CCS-C is the integrated command and control system being developed to support all milsatcom satellite constellations, legacy and future. It will replace the current command and control functions of the Air Force Satellite Control Network. The Wideband Gapfiller Satellite contract was awarded to Boeing Satellite Systems in January 2001, and the first satellite launch is planned for the second quarter of fiscal year 2004—just three years after the contract award. Through the Global Broadcast Service, information such as video, maps, charts, weather patterns, and digital data can be transmitted to mobile users equipped with small tactical terminals. Global Broadcast Service Operation Desert Storm clearly demonstrated the need for the rapid delivery of large volumes of information to users on the front lines. During Desert Storm, air-tasking orders and intelligence reports were sometimes delivered by hand due to the lack of available communications bandwidth. This concern drove the creation of the Global Broadcast Service in the mid-1990s. With the advent of this service, most critical information could be transmitted in seconds. For example, a 1-megabyte air tasking order that might take up to an hour to transmit over Milstar or UFO (at 2.4 kilobits per second) could now be sent in less than a second. The ability to push megabits of data to a small terminal was made possible by commercial advancements in high-power satellite transponders and direct broadcast service technology. The first, and very successful, use of the Global Broadcast Service was in support of operations in Bosnia in 1996, where commercial satellites were used to broadcast military data to modified commercial direct broadcast set-top receivers and decoders. Today, the Global Broadcast Service is provided through a series of four Ka-band transponders and three steerable beams hosted on the Navy's UFO 8, 9, and 10 spacecraft. Ground terminals with antenna diameters of 0.6 to 1 meter receive data at rates up to 24 megabits per second per transponder from either of the two 500-nautical-mile diameter spot beams. Rates up to 1.5 megabits per second can be achieved through the 2000-nautical-mile diameter spot beam. Data are uplinked to the transponders through fixed Primary Injection Points and transportable Theater Injection Points. The receiving suites and broadcast-management suites supplied by Raytheon Company support military Ka-band and commercial Ku-band operations. In the future, the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite will provide the Global Broadcast Service through Ka-band transponders. This is the second hosted Global Broadcast Service implementation, and its migration path is still under consideration with regard to the Advanced Wideband System. Advanced Wideband System The successor to the Defense Satellite Communications System and the Wideband Gapfiller Satellite program is the Advanced Wideband System. The system's final configuration has not yet solidified under ongoing milsatcom transformational efforts, but the concept is one of applied technology and engineering that will remove capacity as a constraint on warfare communications. Analyses by the Defense Information Systems Agency and Joint Staff indicate that a global wideband satellite communications capacity in excess of 15 megabits per second will be needed by the middle of the next decade. The Global Broadcast Service replaces the superhigh-frequency X-band payload with four 130-watt military Ka-band transponders. Each transponder can be accessed through either of the receive paths, configured by ground command. Data are transmitted through three spot-beam antennas on each spacecraft. Two of the beams each cover an area 500 nautical miles in diameter, and the third covers an area of 2000 nautical miles in diameter. The Advanced Wideband System will take advantage of the commercial and government technology advances of the first half of this decade to meet expected needs. Laser crosslinks, space-based data processing and routing systems, and highly agile multibeam/phased-array antennas will most likely be included. A constellation of advanced wideband-capable satellites is planned with a first launch at the end of this decade. Capacity in the right place is the overall requirement, but getting adequate capacity to ever-smaller terminals worldwide is becoming increasingly difficult because of the limits on the amount of internationally allocated bandwidth in the X and Ka bands for DOD use (see related article, "Critical Issues in Spectrum Management for Defense Space Systems"). Several options for mitigating the current limitations are under consideration, including the use of higher frequencies (notably in the 40–75-gigahertz range, and possibly much higher). Also, increasing the number of wideband-capable satellites over a region would enable users with directional antennas to use an allocated frequency band on more than one satellite in view. Another approach would increase effective bandwidth by simultaneously reusing allocated frequencies through the use of small independent beams or cells, achievable through multibeam/phased-array antennas. Frequency reuse is an important characteristic of terrestrial and space-based cellular systems. Radio-frequency components with more efficiency and power will also be used to get more data to small terminals, similar to the way commercial direct broadcast service transponder technology was adopted for the Global Broadcast Service a decade earlier. Synchronization of the various Advanced Wideband System segments is beginning. To support these efforts, new terminals, such as the GMT, will be introduced, and the CCS-C will be employed, but with significant additional capability to address the increased complexity in providing high capacity, tailored communications to highly mobile forces. Protected Communications Protected systems have the ability to avoid, prevent, negate, or mitigate the degradation, disruption, denial, unauthorized access, or exploitation of communications services by adversaries or the environment. Future protected systems include the Advanced Extremely High Frequency System and Advanced Polar System. Advanced EHF The loss of Milstar Flight 3 in 1999 and the last deployment of a Milstar satellite (Flight 6) in fiscal year 2003 have increased the need for a successor system with full operational capability by 2010. Consequently, in November 2001, the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) System contract was awarded to the Lockheed Martin Space Systems and TRW Space and Electronics team for the System Development and Demonstration phase of the new program. Under this contract, three satellites and the associated ground command and control segment will be produced. Under DOD transformational initiatives, other protected milsatcom options are being considered to complete the needed protected strategic and tactical capability; however, if full operational capability cannot be achieved in time with the transformational options, then the original program to acquire four AEHF satellites plus one spare will be restored. All new protected satellites will be interoperable with the Milstar satellites. Milstar provides protected communications and offers advanced features such as onboard signal processing and satellite-to-satellite crosslinks. The system will eventually give way to the AEHF system. (Lockheed Martin Space Systems. Photo by Russ Underwood) The AEHF System will have up to 12 times the total throughput of Milstar, in some scenarios. Single-user data rates will increase from a maximum of 1.544 megabits per second (medium data rate) to 8 megabits per second (high data rate). Along with capacity, the new system will provide an almost tenfold increase in the number of spot beams for improved user access. These small beams will focus power to improve reliability and data rates to small and large terminals and to minimize interception and interference opportunities for regional adversaries. Overall, the AEHF System network will support twice as many tactical networks as Milstar. Improvements in network capability will also help ensure compatibility with international partners. As in Milstar, the AEHF System crosslinks will enhance routing and reduce vulnerability to terrestrial disruption. The new crosslinks will operate at several times the current Milstar data rate. By 2010, about 2500 terminals are expected in the protected communications inventory for the Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marines. Portable, mobile, and fixed terminals with low, medium, and high data rates will support ground units, aircraft, surface ships, and submarines. Standard antennas will range in size from a few centimeters to about 3 meters. Applicable milsatcom terminals include the Family of Advanced Beyond line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T), the Single-Channel Antijam Man-Portable Terminal (SCAMP), Secure Mobile Antijam Reliable Tactical Terminal (SMART-T), and Submarine High Data Rate (Sub HDR) system. The FAB-T combines two previous programs, the Airborne Wideband Terminal and Command Post Terminal Replacement, and establishes a family of terminals with a common open architecture for airborne and ground applications. For mission control, the system will have a dedicated segment consisting of communications management, mobile command and control centers, Satellite Ground Link Standard/Unified S-Band (SGLS/USB) satellite control, and EHF in-band satellite control. The CCS-C will interface with the AEHF satellite control to provide SGLS/USB command capabilities. The Advanced Extremely High Frequency system will have as much as 12 times the total throughput of Milstar, in some scenarios. Single-user data rates will increase to 8 megabits per second. The system will also provide a large increase in the number of spot beams for improved user access. (Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space Systems) Advanced Polar System The demand for protected polar satellite communications to support submarines, aircraft, and other platforms and forces operating in the high northern latitudes has steadily increased over the last twenty years. In 1995, the Pentagon's Joint Requirements Oversight Council approved the Polar Operational Requirements Document, which paved the way for a program to address the polar communications demand. Subsequently, the decision was made to place a series of modified EHF payloads onto host satellites. The first package was launched in 1997, and the remaining two are scheduled for launch within the next three years. Although this hosted capability will provide a critical service to the end of this decade, it only meets a small fraction of the requirements spelled out in that 1995 Operational Requirements Document. Consequently, a replacement system is being considered for the 2008–2010 timeframe. The Air Force Space Command and the MILSATCOM Joint Program Office recently completed a polar concept study that covered 35 wide-ranging options for a future polar capability. As a result of this study, two satellites in highly inclined, highly elliptical molniya orbits have been recommended. In addition, transformational initiatives within the Department of Defense have put forward a proposed National Strategic SATCOM System that would combine worldwide and polar coverage for highly survivable communications, all in one system. Narrowband Communications In the past, the term "narrowband" implied data rates of less than 64 kilobits per second, but a higher boundary could apply in the future as higher data rates to small terminals become possible. Mobile and other small terminal users depend on high-power, low-data-rate satellite systems to receive data via broadcast (as in the Navy's Fleet Broadcast) and for two-way communications. Narrowband needs—generally transmitted in the ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) range—are supported by the UFO constellation, which will be replaced by a component of the Advanced Narrowband System. Advanced Narrowband System The Advanced Narrowband System is DOD's next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system, and its goal is to provide global narrowband communications services to tactical users (who are typically quite mobile). The Advanced Narrowband System consists of six segments: DOD space; commercial space; telemetry, tracking, and command; network control; user entry; and gateway. The Mobile User Objective System is the successor to the Navy's current Boeing-built UFO system and is the key transport element in the Advanced Narrowband System. The Mobile User Objective System will provide beyond-line-of-sight communication to support mission objectives across all branches of the military. The Communications Satellite Program Office of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command has completed concept studies resulting in several approaches to addressing narrowband needs. Aerospace has supported the Navy in evaluating these approaches and has collaborated, from an Advanced Narrowband System perspective, on possible commercial satellite communications augmentation aspects. The Ground Multiband Terminal is a tactical satellite communications ground terminal that will support operations in the X, C, Ku, and military Ka bands. (Harris Corporation) The current UFO constellation has eight satellites, plus one on-orbit spare, each of which provides a mix of 38 UHF communication channels at 5 and 25 kilohertz and one 25-kilohertz fleet broadcast channel. About 7500 UHF terminals are in use today. The capacity of this system will fall far short of anticipated needs by the end of this decade, considering that the estimated 2010 Combined Major Theaters of War requirement is about 42 megabits per second with over 2,300 simultaneous accesses—hence, the urgent need for the Advanced Narrowband and Mobile User Objective Systems. Launches could begin before the end of the decade, paving the way for full operational capability by 2013. The number of narrowband satellite communications terminals of all types is expected to approach 82,000 in 2010. About 50 percent of those will be handheld Combat Survivor Evader Locator units, and the remainder will be predominately legacy and advanced Joint Tactical Radio System terminals. The Mobile User Objective System will employ commercial technology to enable communications with users of large terminals and small or handheld terminals. Commercial systems such as Thuraya in the Middle East and AceS in Southeast Asia have shown that more than 10,000 low-data-rate handheld terminals can be serviced over a region with one satellite. Large multibeam antennas, some more than 12 meters in diameter, enable the use of several hundred spot beams to improve signal-to-noise levels and achieve up to 30 times frequency reuse. Systems with these capabilities currently operate at L-band (1.5 gigahertz downlink) frequencies. In addition to the Mobile User Objective System, the Navy is keeping other alternatives open for meeting Advanced Narrowband System requirements. One alternative would be to field or lease commercial systems, if the commercial market proves sufficiently mature. Another option would be to field additional evolved UFO satellites to allow the commercial sector to mature and improve government options. The Navy has dubbed this alternative "UFO-E," indicating that the Navy would consider continuing the UFO constellation with gradual improvements. Accelerating Capability In early fiscal year 2002, DOD initiated a Transformational Communications Study to accelerate the delivery of advanced capabilities with state-of-the art technology to the field. The study is led by the National Security Space Architect (NSSA) and is springboarding off the NSSA's Mission Information Management Communications Architecture (see sidebar, The Space Architect). The study is examining increased intersystem connectivity via optical crosslinks, greater reliance on ground fiber where possible, and the use of commercial assets as appropriate. Potentially, all U.S. government satellite communications programs in planning or development could be affected. The Space Architect's vision of the future closely integrates government satellite communications into a system of systems. Additionally, it treats communications as an enterprise and balances air, space, and ground communications capabilities. A large part of achieving advanced capabilities involves applying the best technology to emerging programs. To ensure milsatcom's technological edge in world satellite communications, the MILSATCOM Joint Program Office has established a Milsatcom Innovation Center to accelerate the insertion of emerging technologies into new systems. Aerospace, MITRE, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are contributing onsite to the Center's activities. Milsatcom will most definitely have a new look in the future.
Army, U.K. forces successful in future network interoperability testing
2009-06-18 10:51:14
Both representatives of the U.S. Army and the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence have said recent Army Brigade Combat Team Modernization network interoperability tests between the two partner nations have proven successful. The recently concluded Multinational Experiment 3.0, held at Fort Monmouth, N.J., tested the ability of the networks of U.K. forces and Army forces to communicate with each other effectively, and to pass data and other messages to each other. "I thought it was extremely successful," said Maj. Troy Crosby, Network System Integration Program Office lead. "We actually did more than I thought we were going to be able to do during the experiment. We achieved our objectives and met all of our goals. Overall it was a great success." "The experiment went really well," said U.K. Lt. Col. David Raleigh, R Signals U.K. Ministry of Defence. "We're into that post-experiments analysis phase. And it was vast amounts of data that was gathered during experiment. We're looking forward to analyzing the experimental data and then moving forward potentially to an MNE 4.0 next year sometime and taking this a step further." Crosby said that during the exercise, subcomponents of the network’s System of Systems, Common Operating Environments, or SOSCOE, performed effectively at communicating information between U.S. and U.K. networks. "Within the interoperability services, it was able to handle and translate all of the U.K. Ministry of Defence messages pretty seamlessly," Crosby said. "Obviously, every now and then you get a hiccup, and one of the engineers would have to go back into something, but accuracy rates were extremely high, we were able to take in all their messages and distribute them within the network." The SOSCOE is the operating system for the network that will tie together Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities for all Army Brigade Combat Teams. The interoperability services is one of two portions of SOSCOE that were tested during MNE 3.0. The interoperability services is a suite of services that enables SOSCOE to take in messages from U.S. and joint C4ISR systems and translate them into something that can be distributed within the Brigade Combat Team. The other major service suite tested as part of MNE 3.0 was the SOSCOE communications services. "Within that suite we leveraged a lot of information assurance, a lot of the network management," Crosby said. "A lot of the data passing went through there, mainly to assure that proper transmission and receipt of the information occurred on both sides. It performed rather well." Also tested for interoperability at MNE 3.0 was the Army's Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below, or FBCB2. That system is designed, among other things, to allow commanders to differentiate between friendly and enemy forces. "We leverage that system for call for fires," Crosby said. Within the experiment, a call for fire was made and the BCT system decided which capabilities, U.S. or U.K., were best able to handle the request. "At a certain point the decision within the system would be made, who is the most efficient fire affecter to strike that target, and then the message would be given to execute and be carried out," Crosby said. For the experiment, the system was configured so the U.K. forces would be charged with handling the request for a call for fire, Crosby said. "It would then be transmitted to the U.K. network, and at that point the U.K. forces would go ahead and take on that mission and execute it and strike the target," Crosby said. "It added a little bit of complexity within the technical call for fire thread. But it's a show to the power of the dissemination of data at that lower tactical brigade and a low level of being able to utilize either nations indirect fire and call for fire support within a battle space environment." During MNE 3.0, the Army and the U.K. experimented with exchanging data between various levels of command down to the company level -- Crosby said below that would be issues with data throughput availability, and dealing with that challenge was not the focus of the exercise. "We're very focused on ... can the ones and zeros be passed between the two nations," Crosby said. "So that is really where we are focused within the experiment we just executed." Crosby said the United States is looking into a Multinational Experiment 4.0. with the U.K., possibly in Summer 2010.
3e Technologies International - Military Wi-Fi and Wireless Mesh Voice, Video and Data Communication Systems
2009-06-19 02:07:51
3e Technologies International (3eTI) is a leading provider of wireless networking solutions that are customized to fit the security challenges and voice, video and data communication requirements of armies around the world. The company designs and manufactures secure Wi-Fi and broadband products – including mesh network, access point, bridge and client infrastructure products – as well as security software. Many 3eTI products meet the stringent requirements of the US Department of Defense, featuring FIPS 140-2, FIPS 802.11 and Common Criteria Validation™. They are suitable for government, military and homeland security applications for any army requiring secure communications via a stationary or portable wireless network. The company has over ten years' experience developing secure, reliable wireless solutions for military and government organizations around the world. WIRELESS LAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS Governments and militaries are continually seeking ways to better secure their physical assets and personnel and confidential information. To aid this pursuit, 3eTI specializes in government security-level wireless broadband solutions. 3eTI's Wireless LAN (WLAN) products and solutions meet rigorous US government security standards, including FIPS 140-2 and FIPS 802.11. 3eTI has also achieved many firsts in wireless technology, including becoming the first validated FIPS 140-2 layer two access point, and the first wireless supplier to receive National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) evaluation assurance level two common criteria validation for its WLAN access point and client software. APPLICATIONS FOR WIRELESS LAN COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS 3eTI WLAN products are designed to provide force and critical infrastructure protection / management, as well as to improve the efficiency of base operations. Some examples of possible applications for government WLAN products are: Securing perimeters and information technology at military installations Wireless video surveillance to detect security risks domestically and abroad Wireless CBRNE sensoring / monitoring and asset tracking using RFID For example, 3eTI helped streamline maintenance operations of the US Army Black Hawk helicopter program by installing FIPS 140-2 secure wireless communication between the flight line and the hangar. The 3eTI WLAN solutions rapidly transmitted equipment data to maintenance crews, and saved valuable pilot time by cutting the time spent preparing debriefing reports. 8100.2 CERTIFIED SECURE MILITARY WIRELESS NETWORKS The US Department of Defense (DoD) directive number 8100.2 was issued on the 14th of April 2004, and went into effect immediately. The directive covers the use of commercial wireless devices, services, and technologies in the DoD Global Information Grid (GIG). The directive spells out policies for deploying secure military wireless networks, and requires monitoring of those wireless networks for compliance. Military users of 3eTI's certified wireless networks can be assured that strong authentication, non-repudiation, and personal-identification security standards are inherent to their applications. CUSTOM MILITARY WIRELESS NETWORKS In addition to tailoring off-the-shelf solutions, 3eTI also develops custom secure military wireless network solutions to meet the specific wireless security needs of army technology customers. If a troop requires mobile remote networking to enable soldiers and personnel to communicate while in vehicles or in the field, or an army company needs undercover surveillance equipment to monitor potentially hostile surroundings, 3eTI military wireless networks and custom solutions have the ability to overcome even the toughest military communication and / or security challenge. 3eTI's military wireless networks are designed to protect and secure data, assets, vital infrastructure and personnel in the most cost-effective manner possible. 3eTI integrated military wireless networks pass essential information to officers, soldiers and other army personnel so they may securely and effectively utilize communications to fulfill their duties. 3eTI's proven military wireless networks and solutions uphold even the highest security standards.
Army boosts satellite communications in Afghanistan and Iraq
2009-06-29 00:37:31
The Army is providing mobile satellite communication systems featuring WANscaler accelerator technology from Citrix Systems to soldiers in the field to optimize communications between combat teams in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army project manager for the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Commercial Satellite Terminal Program is funding the system through the Army's $5 billion World-Wide Satellite Systems contract vehicle. The order includes options for approximately 1,500 deployable satellite communication terminals and supporting equipment in various sizes and configurations over the next few years, along with as many as 30 field support personnel. The terminals support Ku-, Ka- and X-band frequencies, with L-band service available. WANScaler accelerates performance by an average of five to 30 times and automatically optimizes traffic loads. It supports Space Communication Protocol Standards and improves delivery of LandWarNet to soldiers. The system reduces the need to build more satellites to improve frontline communications as well as provide faster communication for combat teams. According to Tom Simmons, area vice president for government systems for Citrix, the addition of Citrix WANScaler helps the army better utilise its tactical terrestrial and wireless IP networks by automatically optimizing traffic loads. ''With the help of Citrix and TCS, the Army can make better use of existing infrastructure, eliminating the need to build more satellites to improve front line communications - and that saves billions of taxpayer dollars,'' said Simmons. ''More importantly, these improvements will result in faster communication for combat teams, meaning our troops on the ground will have better access to the information they need for mission success.'' Michael Bristol, senior vice president of government solutions for TCS, added, ''Citrix WANScaler is an integral part of our SNAP system, as its performance is closely tied to the seamless network optimization that WANScaler provides. This synergistic association is also reflected in our overall relationship with Citrix, which has been customer-focused and responsive.''
RMT Robotics Delivers Lean Manufacturing Solution to Otis Technology, Inc. Using an Intelligent AGV
2009-07-14 23:26:20
Otis Technology manufactures the advanced gun care systems, which are widely regarded by experts as the most advanced gun cleaning system in the world. As a major supplier of gun cleaning equipment to the US Army, Air force, Marine Corps, Navy and Special Ops Units, Otis has experienced exponential growth in sales, which in turn has resulted in an increase in production. Having truly embraced the lean manufacturing philosophy, Otis plans on utilizing ADAMs to streamline their parts delivery process and optimizing the assembly process to achieve JIT (just in time) delivery of parts. Otis Technology, Inc. Operations Director, Mike York says, “New technology, like RMT’s ADAM will continue to play a key role in Otis Technology’s success, growth and sustainability.” “The Otis application is ideal for the ADAM platform as their factory operation can take full advantage of ADAM’s “random origin to random destination” nature, navigating around obstacles that are expected and unexpected”, says Bill Torrens, VP of Sales and Marketing for RMT Robotics. He goes on to say, “lean manufacturing is a foundation philosophy for Otis and key to their future, so we at RMT are proud that ADAM was selected to be such an integral part of Otis’ strategy for growth and success”.