Air force print news : Army, air force sharing battle information

Defense AT&L, Nov-Dec, 2004 by James L. Bressendorff

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Parked under camouflaged netting in the heat of the Nevada sun is an extended cab Humvee equipped with all the modern comforts of home: vinyl seats, air conditioning, tinted windows, and four 23-inch plasma displays.

It is not the Army's version of a stretch limousine, but an element of the Army's Future Combat Systems program that is taking part in the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2004 here. The Air Force-sponsored experiment assesses new and emerging technologies.

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"The Future Combat System-equipped unit of action (brigade-level force and below) will be more joint," said Army Col. Jon Maddux, product manager for unit-of-action network systems integration at Fort Monmouth, N.J. "That's one of the reasons we're here at JEFX using some very early developmental software. We're demonstrating early interoperability with joint systems and laying the foundation toward network-centric enterprise services."

The FCS also serves as the basis for combining multiple platforms and systems to create a force multiplier for the Army's future unit of action.

"FCS is the Army's leading transformation program for unit-of-action tactical systems," said Army Maj. David Bassett, product manager for unit-of-action software integration. "It integrates combat platforms, networks, and sensors--everything a unit-of-action commander needs to execute the mission."

Part of that system includes the Warrior Machine Interface, an intuitive graphic-user interface to the FCS Battle Command System, acting as an electronic liaison between the soldier on the battlefield and the Air Force's Air Support Operations Center.

"We (WMI operators) run reconnaissance and surveillance with the unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles," said Army Staff Sgt. Steven Dugan, from the unit-of-action maneuver battlelab at Fort Knox, Ky. "When we find a target that needs to be eliminated, we run a close-air support request through the tactical air control party and the Air Support Operations Center."

Because of the unprecedented battlespace awareness supported by the WMI, friendly fire incidents will be significantly reduced.

"When CAS is requested, the WMI operator should be able to see an aircraft icon on the screen and see the location of the aircraft's strike run. That helps eliminate fratricide on both fronts," said Terry Steinhebel, the subject-matter expert for the lead system integrator's FCS. "We'll be able to light up or ID the targets that we want the strike aircraft to engage as a red icon in the cockpit so the pilot can choose the best method to eliminate the threat."

Dugan also said that a combination of electronic tracking and following proper procedure helps promote better situational awareness and prevent fratricide.

"I have a checklist that I follow to make to sure I have everything set as far as the location of the enemy unit, its direction, and the location of my unit, so we can avoid friendly fire or fratricide incidents," he said.

Aside from battlespace awareness and fratricide prevention, another major benefit of the system is its remote operability.

"One of the main advantages of the WMI is we can operate the UAVs and UGVs from a remote base," Dugan said. "We can remain focused on the mission objective while spotting enemy units from a relatively safe distance. We don't have to place individuals in harm's way, only equipment."

When fielded, the system and WMI will provide the Army's future force with unprecedented network-centric capability and joint operability.

"What we're here for in JEFX is to start integrating with the Air Force at the infancy of FCS," said Steinhebel. "We're trying to make joint interoperability a cornerstone of the system so literally every person on the battlefield can talk to each other and know where everyone is positioned--total situational awareness."

1st Lt. James L. Bressendorff, USAF

Bressendorff is with Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2004 Public Affairs.