Decisions in the perspective Automated Artillery Fire Support Control System M. Blaha, L. Potužák Abstract This paper is focused on decisions in the future Automated Artillery Fire Support Control System. Artillery units of the Army of the Czech Republic, reflecting current global security neighborhood, can be used outside the Czech Republic. The paper presents problems in decision making of current Artillery system and suggests requirements of the future system. T I. INTRODUCTION HE global environment is changing. Globalization increases gap between the haves and have-nots. Globalization credited for economic growth and became of source for conflict. Highlights wealth distribution issues... 1% of world controls 40% of its wealth... richest three people have more wealth than the poorest 600 million. Climate Change is affecting the whole world. The US House Select Committee on Energy Independence predicts Arctic Sea Ice fully melted by 2040. UN warns desertification at 70,000Km2/year. It is also causing some restructuring of society, impacting our economy and exacerbating effects of natural phenomena such as tornadoes and floods. Shifting Demographics Migrations, disenfranchised populations, gender and age gaps are transforming societies. Robert Cincotta points out urbanization and youth bulges indicators of conflict - 60% of people will live in urban areas by 2030, 40 to 50% population youth bulges in areas unable to mitigate impact in 25 years. Immigration an issue - 70 to 80 million fewer Europeans in 30 years, majority of Arabic speakers in Europe 2050. Failed and Fragile states area of concern account for 77% of conflict. They are also the breeding grounds for discontent that foments terror. Fragility occurring in places like Mideast and actually in North Africa. Weapons of Mass Destruction proliferation not just among states but to non-state actors is particularly worrisome. Congress assesses that some 25 nations currently possess, store or are develop chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. Nuclear problem is real. 3,700 tons of enriched uranium from military/civilian reactors could produce thousands of bombs. For example, 662 incidents unauthorized radiological activity according to IAEA. New threats and implicated new tasks required new views of the Czech Republic defence strategy. Future security environment will be characteristic by dynamic changes of situations and connection of many factors. Terrorism threats have enforced changes in military strategy. Massive armed forces using has been substituted by effective using of modern, sophisticated forces based on quick Command, Control, and Decision process supported by information and communication technologies. In the second half of 2008, the Government of the Czech Republic approved two basic documents dealing with the defence policy of the Czech Republic. They are Military Strategy of the Czech Republic [1] and Long-Time Scheme of Ministry of Defence [2]. The first document is focused on defence and security policy of the Czech Republic. The second one is the basic document for direction and priorities assesment in the next phases of the Czech Ministry of Defence transformation. Units of the Army of the Czech Republic, reflecting current global security neighborhood, can be used outside the Czech Republic, or more precisely outside the NATO and EU territories. On the present the Czech Artillery specialists develop a new Artillery Fire Support Control System and its connection to higher level system for Network Enabled Capabilities (NEC) [3]. II. CURRENT AUTOMATED ARTILLERY FIRE SUPPORT CONTROL SYSTEM The basic element of both national and alliance defence are Land Forces which consists of Task Forces and other kinds of forces. According to the Field Manual of the Army of the Czech Republic [4] the Land Forces consist of Mechanized Forces, Artillery Forces, Anti-Aircraft Forces and other forces. The Artillery of the Army of the Czech Republic is generally integral part of the Land Forces. The Artillery is primarily intended for Fire Support of the Land Forces. Presently the Artillery of the Army of the Czech Republic acts in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. Current Artillery of the Army of the Czech Republic is represented by 13th Artillery Brigade consisting of two Artillery Battalions. The Artillery of the Army of the Czech Republic is primarily determined for the firing tasks of Direct and Indirect Fire Support of the Mechanized Forces. Fire support realized by Artillery units is called Artillery Support. ISBN: 978-1-61804-039-8 87
For this purpose, the whole Czech fire support system is represented by Automated Artillery Fire Control System called ASPRO (Fig. 1). It is Command, Control, and Communication System (C3 System). unstable, faulty and unfriendly. [5] Fig. 2-152mm self-propelled cannon-howitzer Dana Fig. 1 ASPRO (Tactical Computer part) C3 Systems are defined as a group of the equipment and apparatus (including sensors) determined for using primarily by weapon systems (effectors), and also by different subsystems. In more detail, it is defined as a process of the target (information) acquisition and tactical using of the combat power of effectors. There are number of the primary tasks of ASPRO system. These are: collection, manipulation and distribution relevant information, tactical and technical control of fire, forming of mission essential task list (METL), planning maneuver of troops and fire, and present general survey on digital map. ASPRO has two basic parts: Reconnaissance (Forward Observer, Battalion Fire Coordination Centre) and Firing Control (Weapon Set, Battery Fire Direction Centre and Battalion Fire Direction Centre). Primary tasks of Forward Observer (FO) are target acquisition and fire control. Forward observer has several variants what means to use. He can work in conjunction with land rover, combat tracked vehicle, or external modular set. Battalion Fire Coordination Centre (Ba FCC) primary tasks are planning and coordination of fire. Battalion FCC may have up to four subordinates in the form of Forward Observer. Battalion Fire Direction Centre (Ba FDC) primary tasks are to check calculated firing data and to find the best solution of fire realization. Battalion FDC may have up to three subordinate Fire Batteries. Battery Fire Direction Centre (Bat FDC) primary task is to calculate the firing data. Battery FDC may have up to eight subordinate Weapon Sets (WS), which are the last elements of ASPRO system. Their primary task is to realize gunfire. ASPRO works in conjunction with 152mm self-propelled cannon-howitzer Dana (Fig. 2). ASPRO is the basic element for fire control within the Artillery Battalion level. This system uses usual information technologies wrapped in resistant bases which are little bit Fire support (together with the automated system ASPRO) is organized separately, or does not cooperate with other kind of fire (combat) support. In present, C3 System is the sophisticated computer network of Command and Control Operational Tactical Systems especially in military surround. The system requires re-enter information. Information flows are often duplicated. Its structure does not comply with current requirements etc. III. PERSPECTIVE AUTOMATED ARTILLERY FIRE SUPPORT CONTROL SYSTEM The basic strategic approach to the Czech Artillery NEC conceptual framework determination is analogy to Czech Military Forces key operation capabilities. These capabilities represent: well-timed forces attainability, effective intelligence, deploy ability and mobility, effective employment, effective command, control, and communication system, logistic defensibility, forces stability and protection. Assignment of the Czech Military Forces key capabilities to the NATO transformation aims (concept EBAO) is possible in the following way: Decision Ascendency achievement presuppose: Effective Command, Control, and Communication System, which represents compact system consisting of doctrines, procedures, organizational structures, people, equipment, and connection, guaranteeing on-time and sufficient data for planning, controlling, and verification of activities for all command levels. ISBN: 978-1-61804-039-8 88
Operational Effectiveness achievement presuppose: Effective Intelligence, which is basically important for effective command and control proceedings, because it provides the information about enemy activities, operational background, and high priority targets, Effective Employment, Forces Stability and Protection, which focus on preventing, or maximum decreasing of enemy activities effects, our forces attack consequences steaming off, and saving of their combat capabilities. Deployability and Defensibility achievement presuppose: Well-timed Forces Attainability, which represents forces and means combat (non-combat) readiness in defined time and area, Deployability and Mobility, which means force elements deployment capabilities and their capability of translocation to acquire advantageous combat conditions. Logistic Defensibility, which means capability of combat power saving until the tasks are done. [10] Requirements of the future C3 System represent tasks and responsibilities of each system element, which is defined by generaly known scheme. If we discuss the future command and control systems, we must have accurate inputs (reconnaissance), quick data processing flows (Command and Control System) and effective outputs (Guns). All this facts are necessary conditions for optimal C3 system existence. System must correspond to organizational structure, which represents the current 13th Artillery Brigade. System must of course be able to adopt the future changes in the organizational structure of 13th Artillery Brigade. Perspective reconnaissance devices must be parts of ISTAR system (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance), which integrates sensor outputs in targeting processes. Requirements for ISTAR system are published in NATO Capabilities/Statements [3]. Lowest element of this system is Forward Observer. Forward Observer is the main element of the artillery recon on the company level. Czech Army disposes of the light reconnaissance and observation system (LOS). An Artillery Technical Recognize Squad with the special technical equipment named SNEZKA is the next important element. This reconnaissance and observing system is a mobile device with high cross-country mobility and optimum protective features. It is designed especially for artillery reconnaissance with smart computer support. The system can perform detection, recognition and identification during all day and night conditions. SNEZKA measures and calculates target coordinates, makes automatic processing of the data and transmits it to the headquarters through a radio. The system is in the service of the Czech Army, and it is included in artillery fire control system ASPRO. Its main task is target detection of course. [6] Czech Artillery uses three ARTillery HUnting Radars (ARTHUR WLS modb), which are determinated for detection of enemy artilleries. ARTHUR (Fig. 3) is located on the Brigade level. Reconnaissance to be effective necessarily needs online target review (real time target database), inter connecting capabilities (connection with other sensors), and artillery reconnaissance target detection ability over 40 km every time, every weather or every terrain. Fig. 3 ARTHUR WLS modb Today s trends are uniquely determined. All-weather weapon have to be autonomous with uniform caliber all over the NATO. The basic necessary characteristics of an effective Gun System are: each gun system with inertial navigation system, self-propelled gun with gunshot over 40 km, rocket launcher with gunshot over 60 km, selfpropelled gun with caliber 155 mm, and rocket launcher with caliber 155 mm. A. Communication flows in the future Automated Artillery Fire Support Control System The most sophisticated resources (information) are necessary for manipulation with huge databases which give inputs to the Artillery Battalion Fire Control System. It means that it is essentially to use the modern communications and information technologies (systems). It is necessary to have sophisticated technologies, which will be more user-friendly, and friendly interface integration with the applications for working with maps (topographical data) and realization of difficult mathematical and physical science operations etc. Specific communication flows are the key to successful construction of the future automated Fire Support Control System. Communication system will correspond to different levels of used task forces. The diagram 1 shows the possible communication system for company task force. ISBN: 978-1-61804-039-8 89
B. Decisions in the future Automated Artillery Fire Support Control System Artillery can also contribute to joint planning process and perspective operations commanding in NEC conditions through its specific integrated sensor systems. Decision-making is dependent on the amount of quality input information. Commander of the Task Force (C CoTF, C BaTF, C BrTF) is always designed solutions that meet the tactical use of artillery. In case the proposed variation request from senior decision to move the diagram to the next level. The diagram 3 shows the possible communication system with decision of fire for brigade task force. It includes a system of lower (battalion and company task forces) level. Diagram 1 - Communication system of Fire Support Control System on the company level Higher level characters of command and control communication are designed in a similar way. The diagram 2 shows the possible communication system for battalion task force. It includes a system of lower level (usually three company task forces). Diagram 3 - Communication system of Fire Support Control System on the brigade level Diagram 2 - Communication system of Fire Support Control System on the battalion level IV. CONCLUSION The Czech Artillery units can realize specific tasks of fire support which can help to fulfill Czech military forces commission in the multinational operations in new, turbulent conditions. In accordance with presupposed Artillery functionality and future development can be assumed that Artillery will act lethally at enemy troops and non-lethally at its information and communication systems, sensors, and awareness. ISBN: 978-1-61804-039-8 90
NEC conceptual framework of excluded Czech Republic Artillery capabilities can be determined in the following way: Decision Ascendancy Achievement presuppose and Effective Artillery Command, Control, and Communication System, which ensure all functions of command, control and communication of the Czech Artillery reconnaissance system and the executive elements. This system must be able to fulfill complex fire support in NEC conditions. The Czech Artillery units need to have intuitive system for mathematics computations, simulation method of computations, prediction capabilities for adequate fire support provision. The discussed above changes represent absolutely basic conditions for approaching to the NATO standard (NEC Capabilities). With new Fire Control System will achieve highest effectiveness of Fire Support for Mechanized Task Forces with bigger accuracy, speeding of fire support, timing etc. Within the framework of the Artillery Fire Control System creation process it is necessary to respect NATO documents and doctrines and experience of NATO states with perspective automated Fire Support Control System creation process. Philosophy of NATO is based on collective defense principles. Requirement of advanced NATO countries is to have adequate partners for every kind of operation all over the world. This is the reason for creating sophistic technologies for decision making by Czech Army specialists, especially in Artillery Fire Control System conditions, with the most important conception Effect-Based Approach to Operations (EBAO) rising NEC philosophy. REFERENCES [1] Military Strategy of The Czech Republic. Praha: MO CR, 2008. [2] Long-Time Scheme of Ministry of Defence. Praha: MO CR, 2008. [3] NATO Capabilities/Statements - 2018. Brusel, 2007. [4] Doctrine of the Army of the Czech Republic. Praha: MO CR, 2005. [5] BLAHA, M., SOBARŇA, M. Some develop aspects of perspective Fire Support Control System in Czech Army conditions. In The 6 th WSEAS International Conference on Dynamical Systems and Control. Sousse (Tunisia): University of Sfax, 2010, pp. 179-183. [6] BLAHA, M., SOBARŇA, M. Principles of the Army of the Czech Republic Reconnaissance and Fire Units Combat using. In The 15 th International Conference The Knowledge-Based Organization. Sibiu (Romania): Nicolae Balcescu Land Forces Academy, 2009, pp. 17-25. [7] POTUŽÁK, L. Control and Realization of Fire Support - The Cooperation of Artillery and Units of Artillery Reconnaissance during Fire Support of Forces. Partial task - Specific research of FEM. Brno: University of Defence, 2006. [8] AD-6.1 Doctrine of Communication and Information systems. Praha: MO CR, 2003. [9] AAP-6 NATO Glossary of Terms and Definitions (english and french). 2009. [10] PŘIKRYL B., VONDRÁK J., SOBARŇA, M. Artillery Fire Support Control System Capabilities Character. In The 9 th WSEAS International Conference on Circuits, systems, electronics, control & signal processing (CSECS 10). Athens (Greece): WSEAS, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-61804-039-8 91