Fire Coordination and Sensors
Abstract
Project 3773 funds the development of Fire Support Coordination Systems and Sensors. These systems digitally connect forward observers and sensors to artillery weapons. The also provide digital tools to develop fire support missions and coordination ground and fire support. Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Family of Systems (AFATDS FoS) - AFATDS FoS consists of three programs, AFATDS, Back Up Computer System (BUCS) and Mobile Tactical Shelter (MTS). The AFATDS automates the fire planning, tactical fire direction, and fire support coordination required to support maneuver from the sea and subsequent operations ashore. AFATDS integrates all supporting arms assets within the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) such as mortars, cannon artillery, rockets and missiles, close air support, and naval surface fire support systems. BUCS is a hand-held computer system designed to provide a backup to the AFATDS in computing ballistic firing solutions, as well as provide survey and Meteorological functions in support of artillery. Additionally BUCS is the primary ballistic firing solution system during Ship To Objective Maneuver (STOM). The MTS is a Lightweight Multi-purpose Shelter mounted on a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) which protects both the AFATDS and the BUCS from the environment. The MTS enables rapid emplacement and displacement of fire support elements and provides communications on the move. Family of Target Acquisition Systems (FTAS) - The FTAS provides the MAGTF the capability to locate, identify, and attack enemy indirect fire weapons systems and observe and direct friendly artillery fire. The FTAS consists of the AN/TPQ-46 Firefinder Radar, the AN/TPQ-49 Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar, Ground Counter Fire Sensor (GCFS), and the AN/TSQ-267 Target Processing Set. The FTAS is critical in the execution of counterfire and the integration of target acquisition information enabling attack by MAGTF assets. The FTAS also provides artillery firing units the ability to conduct artillery registration and other friendly fire missions. The FTAS encompasses the equipment required to support target acquisition within the target acquisition platoon and is resident in the headquarters battery of each artillery regiment. The program will continue to address system issues that arise due to Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortage (DMSMS) items within the FTAS. The USMC assumed the role of Primary Inventory Control Activity (PICA) for the AN/TPQ-49 in FY15 when the Army divested itself from the system. The AN/TPQ-46 is being phased out through FY25 and no RDT&E funds are planned in FY19 and out. Target Hand-Off System (THS) - The THS addressed a Marine Corps operational requirement for a lightweight, handheld, and accurate target acquisition engagement coordination system. THS provides MAGTF Commanders with the only man-portable target location and video downlink capability that allows Air Officers and Fire Support Coordinators to prosecute identified targets. The THS' advance interoperability capability provides the MAGTF Commander with the only portable target acquisition system able to interoperate with all target prosecution platforms available on the battlefield. The THS is designed for the Forward Air Controllers (FACs), Forward Observers (FOs), Fire Support Teams (FSTs), Firepower Control Teams (FCTs), Tactical Air Control Parties (TACPs) and Reconnaissance Teams to quickly acquire targets in day, night and near-all-weather visibility conditions, in order to conduct precise, rapid indirect surface fire support, Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS) and Close Air Support (CAS). The overall decrease of $0.109M is principally due to the completion of AFATDS interoperability testing with their systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2020
- Source ID
- 3773_0206313M_7_1319_PB_2020
Related Documents
- Root: Marine Corps Comms Systems
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