Fire Coordination and Sensors
Abstract
Project 3773 Fire Coordination and Sensors funds the development of critical United States Marine Corps (USMC) fire support coordination, targeting, and digital interoperability systems required for the employment of air and ground fires. Fire Coordination and Sensors provides the systems needed to develop and integrate a digital networked sensor to shooter mission thread supporting the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Key systems included are: 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-46B Firefinder radar, the AN/TPQ-54(V)1 Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar Mobile (LCMR), the AN/TPQ-49(A) Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar - Technical Refresh (LCMR-TR), and the Ground Counter Fire Sensor-Replacement (GCFS-R) Scalable Passive Acoustic Reporting and Targeting Node (SPARTN). 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 initiate development of replacement sensor systems and continue to address system issues that arise due to Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) items with the FTAS. Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) Family of Systems (FoS) - The AFATDS FoS consists of two programs: AFATDS, and Mobile Shelters consisting of the Mobile Tactical Shelter (MTS), Target Processing Set (TPS), and the Mobile Command Vehicle (MCV) Shelter. AFATDS integrates all supporting arms assets within the MAGTF, such as mortars, cannon artillery, rockets and missiles, close air support, and naval surface fires support systems. AFATDS automates fire planning, tactical and technical fire direction, and fire support coordination. AFATDS facilitates the employment of USMC and Joint fires capabilities for operations ashore, sea control, sea denial, and other USMC/Joint fires requirements. In FY 2021 the decision was made to transition from the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle mounted MTS and TPS to the JLTV mounted MCV Shelter for the increased AAO due to Force Design 2030. The MCV Shelter is primarily dedicated to housing the AFATDS and other fire support systems. MCV Shelters enhance the capabilities and survivability of USMC fire support units by enabling rapid emplacements, displacements, and by supporting command, control, and communications on the move. 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).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2024
- Source ID
- 3773_0206313M_7_1319_PB_2024
Related Documents
- Root: Marine Corps Comms Systems
- Child Accomplishment: FTAS
- Child Accomplishment: AFATDS
- Child Accomplishment: THS
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