Fire Support System

Abstract

Fire Support System (FSS) provides the Marine Corps critical operational and logistics capabilities in artillery weapons, fire direction and targeting systems. This includes the following projects: The Modeled Meteorological Information Manager (MMIM) is the primary artillery meteorological capability at the artillery battalion and regiment providing the ability to create, receive, manage, and transmit near real time gridded meteorological information supporting artillery and target acquisition systems. Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) is an all-weather, ground based indirect fire system designed to support the vertical assault element of the Ship-To-Objective Maneuver (STOM) force. The EFSS is defined as a Launcher, Mobility Platform (prime mover), Ammunition, Ammunition Supply Vehicle, and Technical Fire Direction and Control equipment necessary for orienting weapons to an azimuth of fire. EFSS supports irregular warfare and distributed operations. FY18 to FY19 reduction is due to removal of EFSS from USMC inventory and termination of PERM development. The Fire Support Mod Line (FSML) is a set of Marine Corps efforts to address critical operational and logistics deficiencies in existing, fielded fire support/weapons systems and equipment. FSML provides technical refresh and development of target acquisition, artillery survey, meteorological systems, weapon systems, and fire direction control. Funding is used to ensure Clinger Cohen Act (CCA) and Information Assurance (IA) requirements are met. Provides execution of product improvements/modifications, and upgrades to system hardware and software for the Ground Counter Fire Sensor (GCFS), Marine Artillery Survey Set (MASS), Modeled Meteorological Information Manager (MMIM), Global Positioning System Survey (GPS-S) and the Improved Position Azimuth Determining System (IPADS), Lightweight Target Designator (LTD), the Joint Terminal Attack Controller-Laser Target Designator (JTAC-LTD), and the Common Laser Range Finder (CLRF). Funding is also used for upgrades, engineering change proposals (ECPs), and modifications for guided munitions and fire control systems which fall within Fire Support Systems for the Marine Corps. Family of Artillery Munitions (FAM) funding is used to develop and mature artillery munitions for the Marine Corps triad of fire and includes conducting safety analysis and ship compatibility studies. The Common Laser Range Finder Integrated Capability (CLRF IC) is an association of targeting systems that provide handheld, lightweight, man portable devices supporting the employment of air and surface fires. They provide foot mobile users the ability to locate, identify, mark and designate targets in both day and night conditions for engagement by fire support and weapons platforms. CLRF IC systems support the collection and dissemination of targeting information to maneuver, fire support, and intelligence personnel via external digital devices such as the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) and the Target Handoff System (THS) using associated Combat Net Radios. The CLRF IC includes two major components; The CLRF IC Laser Range Finder(LRF) supports the requirement to locate and transmit targeting information while the Future Targeting System combines the capabilities of the LRF with the ability to designate for specific requirements associated with laser guided munitions. The Family of Internally Transportable Vehicles (FITV), including Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs), are light weight and internally transportable in the V-22, CH-53D & CH53E helos. The FITV provide deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) and Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU (SOC)) with vehicles that are internally transportable in selected rotary and fixed wing aircraft. The FITV are expeditionary vehicles supporting over-the-horizon amphibious operations, irregular warfare and enhanced company operations. It is then fielded to Reconnaissance, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), and artillery batteries as part of the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS). The FITV also provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) with platforms to support their primary and secondary missions. Speed, maneuverability, and the use of cover and concealment are the crew's primary means of survival. In FY20 the Marine Corps will establish the Internally Transportable Vehicle Replacement (ITV-R) initiative. The ITV-R will replace the current Family of Internally Transportable Vehicles (FITV) and Utility Task Vehicle (UTV). Conventional Ground Ammunition is a project that identifies and develops Insensitive Munitions (IM) Technologies to address IM shortfalls in new Marine Corps development or improvements to legacy Conventional Ground Ammunition to meet OSD mandated IM compliance requirements. These IM Technology investments directly support the development of the bi-annual Marine Corps Insensitive Munitions Strategic Plan (IMSP) to address the identified IM technology needs of the Marine Corps.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2019
Source ID
3098_0206623M_7_1319_PB_2019

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Fire Suppression Systems Design.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space

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