Distributed Fires (DFires)
Abstract
The goal of the Distributed Fires (DFires) program is to create a capability which would allow for precision fires from extended ranges (>500 km) to be rapidly accessed by lower echelon units. The DFires system would be a stand-alone system that would be transported by light trucks, rotorcraft, or small boats and delivered to supporting locations on the battlefield. Small units would use tactical radios to call for support fire which would greatly shorten the time required to receive artillery fire or to call in close air support. The modular base unit would provide the communications link and pass along targeting commands to the onboard stores. The onboard stores would consist of multiple tube launched munitions. As envisioned, different stores could be developed that would enable the small unit to rapidly access different capabilities. For example, in a direct fire mission, target information would be fed to a fast missile which would engage the target at that location. Alternatively, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) request could be quickly accomplished by launching a loitering munition which would rapidly fly to the requested area and loiter while feeding ISR data to the warfighters. A loitering attack munition could also be called which would loiter in an area while searching for a target or waiting for final targeting commands. Technology areas to be developed include the overall system architecture, the communications requirements and protocols, and specific stores.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Source ID
- c1965e1edd247e318c941356a92962c9