Combat Identification Technology

Abstract

The Combat Identification (CID) Technology program element analyzes, develops, demonstrates and evaluates promising target identification technologies to facilitate platform transition decisions prior to System Development and Demonstration (SDD). Numerous joint needs statements, operational documents, lessons learned, and NATO requirements state the need for positive CID. High confidence CID increases combat effectiveness, prevents fratricide, and reduces collateral damage. It also enables combatant commanders to effectively command and control their forces in all weather, day or night. This program element focuses on the cooperative and non-cooperative technologies that have the capability to positively identify surface and air targets in both air-to-surface and air-to-air engagements. In order to rapidly make available promising CID technologies for platform SDD decisions, the program element funds design studies, engineering analysis, non-recurring engineering, and other efforts associated with integration and modification of CID related technologies and systems on platforms. It also supports the development, testing, and implementation of international standards (to include NATO standardization agreements) to ensure joint, Allied, and coalition interoperability. Non-cooperative CID employs a number of sensing technologies and signal processing techniques. The observations may be compared to a database of known objects to identify surface or air threats from air platforms. These technologies include: (1) Laser Vision, an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) imaging system that significantly increases ID ranges and includes exploiting synergies between non-cooperative and cooperative ID systems (radio, millimeter wave, infrared, and laser). The Laser Target Imagining Program (LTIP) is working on performance improvements, laser vibrometry development, 3-dimensional laser detection and ranging, laser radar, synthetic aperture laser (SAL) radar, aided/automatic target recognition, image fusion and studies to support decisions on future EO/IR technologies; (2) Radar Vision, an air-to-ground radar imaging technique to identify stationary and moving targets using their radar signatures; (3) Hydra Vision (Multi Sensor Enhanced ID; formerly Fusion Vision), a balanced (robust) amalgamation of sensor data from multiple sources to provide warfighters with higher confidence CID results on surface or air targets; and (4) X-Patch, a validated set of prediction codes and analysis tools that use the shooting-and-bouncing ray (SBR) method to predict realistic far-field radar signatures from 3D target models in order to predict 1D and/or 2D data. X-Patch is vital for development of radar signatures of potential high-threat weapons systems; it is a critical capability of database production centers which support Joint Sensors Signature Database (JSSD) pathfinders. Cooperative CID employs technologies required to rapidly identify friendly platforms. The program develops, integrates and evaluates technologies that provide AF platforms with a means of positively identifing an air or ground platform as a friendly, via active or passive cooperative ID capabilities. Development funded by this program element ensures availability of a Mode 5 upgrade path for implementing ground and air platforms across the Air Force fleet. Within the air-to-air domain, programs funded to meet this intent include: (1) Mode 5 Technology Insertion Program (TIP): The program element funds preliminary RDT&E for Mark XIIA, the next generation Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) standard for the DoD and NATO. Mark XIIA represents a substantial enhancement to the Mark XII IFF system. It is expected to achieve joint initial operational capability in 2014. The "A" denotes the addition of Mode 5 (an encrypted challenge-and-reply mode) to the other Mark XII system modes (Modes 1, 2, 3/A, C, S, and 4). The Mode 5 secure IFF program is a DoD-wide, Navy-led development and acquisition program. The Mode 5 TIP specifically addresses implementing air platforms. (2) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)TIP: This program element will fund preliminary RDT&E for integration of ADS-B architecture into the APX-119 Mark XIIA transponder. The ADS-B TIP will develop ADS-B "In" and "out" capability which leverages synergies between ADS-B and Mode 5 Level 2 (M5L2) to achieve M5L2 "In" capability. The ADS-B TIP specifically addresses implementing air platforms. (3) Digital IFF Control Panel: This program element is developing a Digital IFF Control Panel (DCP) to support Mode 5 and ADS-B insertion programs into Air Force platforms with an ARINC (Aeronautics Research Incorporated) 429 based avionics architecture. The DCP will provide a standard control panel for AF aircraft with growth capability for ADS-B and beyond. Joint Cooperative Target Identification – Ground (JCTI-G) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA). This is an OSD AT&L directed program for the services. The Army will lead the Fires on Dismount (FoD) portion and the USAF will lead the Air to Ground (A-G) portion. The Army and USAF are negotiating an MOA for the stand up of a Joint Program Office (JPO). Within the air-to-ground domain, development funded by this program element ensures development, integration, test and evaluation of friendly identification systems focused on reducing air-to-ground fratricide. Programs funded to meet this intent include: (1) Radio Based Combat Identification: An active challenge reply system leveraging Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) capable ground and aircraft targeting pod mounted radios for air-to-ground friendly identification and (2) Laser Frequency Responsive Tape: A low cost, un- powered passive device to aid in the detection of friendly ground forces via airborne electro-optical sensors. This program element also funds the Air Traffic Control Beacon Systems Identification Friend or Foe Mark XII/XIIA Systems (AIMS) Program Office. The DoD International AIMS PO has system level interoperability management responsibilities for the present Mark XII system, development and integration of Mark XIIA (Mode 5) and transition to Mark XIIA Mode S systems. This program is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P) because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic operating environment.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2012
• Source ID: 0603742F_4_3600_PB_2012
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY12 $12.7M funding increase is to continue the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) capability development in the APX-119 transponder. Beginning in FY12, funding for the ADS-B development of the APX-119 transponder will be transferred to BPAC 642599.
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Advanced Electronics
• Air Platforms
• Sensors
• Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Acquisition
• Air Force
• Aircrafts
• Control Panels
• Cost Analysis
• Detection
• Detectors
• Engineering
• Identification
• Optical Detectors
• Radar
• Radar Beacons
• Radio Equipment
• Sense And Avoid Systems
• Standards
• Target Recognition
• Test And Evaluation

Fields of Study

• Engineering

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

• 5G
• 5G - DoD 5G Program
• 5G - Internet of Things
• Directed Energy
• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control