SP's LandForces Apr-May 2009

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LandForces

SPs A N S P G U I D E P U B L I C A TI O N

LT GENERAL (RETD) PRAN PAHWAEDITOR

2/2009 SPS LAND FORCES 1

I n T h i s I s s u e T h e ON L Y j o u r n a l i n A s i a d e d i c a t e d t o L a n d F o r c e s

Editor ial

? ? ?

I s s u e 2 2 0 0 9 V o l 6 N o 2

WWW.SPSLANDFORCES.NET ROUNDUP

I n T h i s I s s u e T h e ON L Y j o u r n a l i n A s i a d e d i c a t e d t o L a n d F o r c e s

Face to Face

M-109 has beencontinually upgraded andimproved to todays currentversion, the M-109A6Paladin, which is used inUS Army in its armouredand mechanised divisions.

LT GENERAL (RETD)R.S. NAGRA7

The situation in Pakistan is

deteriorating rapidly. While

on one hand we have seen

the assertion of the popular

will in the reinstatement of

Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary,

on the other hand the inter-

nal security situation in

Pakistan is in shambles. The suicide bombing of

a mosque in Jamrud in Khyber agency on March

27, 2009, was followed by an audacious assault

on the Police Training Centre at Manawan on

March 30 on the outskirts of Lahore. Sunday

April 05, saw yet another suicide blast this timeby a teenager, in a Shia mosque in Chakwal in

Punjab which was executed a few hours after

the targeting of the security forces near the UN

office, in the heart of Islamabad.

It is obvious that Pakistans capacity and

will to tackle Al Qaida, Taliban and other jihadi

groups is lacking.

Analysts in New York and in Washington

who are already putting forward apocalyptic

timetables for Pakistan feel that the US is run-

ning out of time to help Pakistan change its

present course. David Kilcullen, a specialist

in guerrilla warfare and counter insurgency,

who advised Gen. David H. Petraeus when he

was the American commander in Iraq, has said

that Pakistan could be facing internal collapse

within six months.

President Obamas new strategy for Af-Pak

region calls for a virtual remaking of Pakistans

institutions and even of the national psyche.

While officially, Pakistans government wel-comed Mr. Obamas strategy, with its massive

dose of monetary aid of $1.5 billion a year for

5 years, however its people and the official

machinery including the military are continuing

to deny that a threat from Al Qaeda and the

Taliban, is so imminent.

In light of the above India needs to effec-

tively protect its economic and security

interests from the menacing developments

in the neighbourhood. India should hone its

intelligence gathering capabilities in all dimen-

sions and virtually seal its land and maritime

borders with rapid reaction forces available to

manage crises within and to strike across the

border based on real-time intelligence.

Publication and release of this issue is coin-

ciding with the Battle Management Systems

(BMS) Seminar in mid-April 2009 and hence

it carries the interview of the Director General

Information Systems along with two articleson BMS and other interesting pieces includ-

ing Limited Wars in Asia, Chinas Asymmetric

Warfare capability, Multi Barreled Rocket

Launchers, Self Propelled Guns in artillery and

the status of the Army Air Defence in India.

Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor

A Battle ManagementSystem would providesituational awarenessto a unit/subunit/detachment commanderand networking himdown to an individualsoldier or a tank

LT. GENERAL (RETD)V.K. KAPOOR106

Smerch BM-30 can beused as an independentartillery system,with shoot-and-scootcapabilities, in the high-altitude mountainousareas of Jammu andKashmir

BRIGADIER (RETD)VINOD ANAND

Editor ial

Photographs:SPGuidePubns

Commonc o m m u n i c a t i o npolicy vital

In an interview to SPs Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal and Editorof SPs Land ForcesLt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor, DirectorGeneral Information Systems Lt General P.C. Katoch, UYSM,AVSM, SC, pinpoints the loopholes and challenges facing the IndianArmy in its quest to achieve network centric capability.

Sponsor of International Seminar - BMS - organised by Indian Army and CII


2/16

2 SPS LAND FORCES 2/2009

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CES.NET

SPs Land Forces (SPs): Network Centric

Warfare (NCW) is an information superi-

ority-enabled concept at the heart of which

lie digital communication networks. How

is the Indian Army (IA) visualising trans-

formation to this type of war fare?

Director General Information Systems

(DGIS): The IA is undergoing a phase of

transition from conventional warfare to

information-enabled warfare, that is, from

platform centric to network centric warfare.

The full realisation of any such revolution

is possible only with technological develop-

ment, organisational adaptation and, most

importantly, a national will. An effective

and technologically sound information tech-

nology (IT) force, along with robust com-

munication networks, have been created to

facilitate real-time sharing of information

and quick decision making so as to achieve

information superiority. A road map has

been formulated by which we can progress

steadily towards being a potent IT force.

Next, we have identified development

of C4I2 systems as a major thrust area for

moderni sation of the army. Developmentand fielding of automated operational infor-

mation systems for various levels of opera-

tions from Army HQs to Battalion HQs and

down to individual soldiers is in progress.

Command Information Decision Support

System, Artillery Combat Command Control

System, Battlefield Surveillance System,

Air Defence Control and Reporting System

and Battlefield Management System are

the major projects under development.

Integrated together with requisite communi-

cations, these systems will provide near real

time Sensor to Shooter links to make the

army a network centric force.

SPs: The absence of NCW capabilities is

already being felt in the military. What is

the current progress within the army and

among the three services?DGIS: The hurdles in sharing information

among the various agencies of the country

are not only because of lack of media or

infrastructure, but also due to organisation-

al and procedural hurdles. These are being

addressed at appropriate levels by con-

cerned agencies. War fighting is a continu-

ously evolving affair and a Net-Centric force

is the requirement of the day. We are mak-

ing a headway towards achieving such a

force keeping the primary focus of protect-

ing our borders and sovereignty. Fighting

terrorism/insurgency effectively would be

a tremendous spin-off acquired through

Net-centric capability. At present, we have a

number of projects working towards obtain-

ing NCW capabilities, which are following

a road map and are at different stages of

development. Even the networking at Tri

Service level has been worked out and is

being implemented.

SPs: The military instrument of NCW will

have to be forged on suitably integrated

organisations, induction of new technolo-

gies, joint operational concepts and doc-

trines and joint training. Your comments.

DGIS: Interoperability is a problem facing

not just the IA but many other armies the

world over. Since the systems were con-

ceived and developed in standalone modes,

their integration into a system of systems

in a seamless manner is a technological

challenge. We are working towards identify-ing appropriate solutions and a common

Network Centric Operations philosophy

is being worked out. Integration at HQ

Integrated Defence Staff level is ensuring

interoperability and synergy at the inter-ser-

vices levels.

SPs: NCW will also demand a Defence

Communication Network (DCN) to

derive the full benefits of the synergy so

acquired. What is the status of this proj-

ect?

DGIS: DCN is a futuristic project to provide

communication connectivity for all the

three services. The project is progressing

well and will be incorporating the aspira-

tions of the three services.

SPs: How are Indias advanced softwarecapabilities being exploited by the IA?

DGIS: As I said earlier, all our projects are

being executed by leading IT players in the

industry who have established credentials.

Some packages, such as various mission

critical Operational Information Systems,

are being designed by the DRDO and Bharat

Electronics Limited, who also have advanced

skills in their respective fields. We also

have a Tri-Service Defence IT Consultative

Committee which incorporates leaders from

the industry and academia for advice on

important IT matters to the services.

SPs: The terrorist attacks in Mumbai

revealed that while even terrorists were

using technologies easily available in the

market to achieve effective communication,

Indias elite counter-terror outfits had

failed to master technologies which could

lend the winning edge. Where do we lack

in capability? What is the status in terms

of ISR capabilities? What can be done in

the interim till the IA acquires full spec-

trum Command, Information and Decision

Support System (CIDSS) capability?

DGIS: The reasons for failure to detect/

intercept the intrusion of terrorists into

Mumbai are being investigated by other

agencies. I cannot comment on those issues.

The IA is among the most advanced armies

to have sophisticated surveillance systems.

These surveillance devices are being net-

worked in a phased manner for better syn-chronisation, speedy transfer of information

and efficient decision making. Let me assure

you that the IA is modernising itself to meet

the challenges of the future.

SPs: The IAs CIDSS involves development

of the following:

Artillery Command and Control, and

Communication System

Air Defence Control and Reporting

System

Electronic Warfare System

Battlefield Surveillance System, and

Battle Management System

What is the current status of each projec t?

DGIS: The projects are at various stages of

developmentfrom systems study stage,

as in the case of Battlefield Management

System, to fielding stage, as in the case ofArtillery Combat Command Control System.

SPs: Does the IAs overall concept cater for

100 per cent NCW capable formations or is

the pan to selectively transform the army

formations. By when will the force be capa-

ble of engaging in NCW?

DGIS: The IA will completely network for-

mations and achieve network enabled status

by about middle of the next decade.

SPs: Are we prepared to deal with the

threats that the networks are going to face?

DGIS: Our networks have robust inbuilt

security and will be operating on secure

gateways. However, national expertise

toward tackling the embedded threats is at

present limited and needs to be developed.

SPs: Is the IA planning to network all

weapon platforms for situational aware-

ness or is this going to be done selectively?

What are the costs involved?

DGIS: Networking in the army is beingplanned right from the Army Headquarters

level down to the individual soldier and the

tanks. This networking, however, will be

done in a phased manner. Costs involved

are as per the long term perspective plans of

modernisation of the army.

SPs: Apart from digitised communica-

tions, what are the other essentials neces-

sary to convert the armys stand alone

weapon systems into situational awareness

platforms? What could be the cost incurred

for digitising a formation, like a division?

DGIS: The systems to get seamlessly meshed

with the overall NCW environment require

equipments and weapon systems which are

network enabled. In other cases, a human

interface is being adopted as an interim

measure. The complete digitisation process

is being done in phases and procedures

are being networked selectively. The costs

incurred are as per the long term perspec-

tive planning funds allocated by the army

for this purpose.

SPs: All advanced countries have

some forms of Soldier Modernisation

Programmes. How has Indias F-INSAS

been designed and how much progress have

we achieved?

DGIS: F-INSAS is a multifaceted programme

which aims at making the soldier an inte-

gral part of the war fighting system. This

involves provisioning of state-of-the -art

weapon system, communication equipment,

and so on to make the soldier more effective

and survivable in war.

SPs: Software-Defined Radio (SDR) is a

rapidly evolving technology and over the

last few years, analog radio systems are

being replaced by digital radio systems.

How is the IA proposing to implement it?

DGIS: In my opinion, so far as IA is con-

cerned SDR is the future of military commu-

nication. It has definite advantages over the

present family of radios in the IA. It is only

a matter of time before SDRs are inducted in

the army.

SPs: Communications policy has to be

uniform and the equipment should be

compatible to ensure standardisation and

networking. How can this be achieved in a

force as large as the IA?

DGIS: In a network centric environment,where we are looking at seamless integra-

tion, communications policies need to be

formulated and implemented centrally. You

are right when you mentioned that policies

based for different arms are no longer ten-

able. I strongly feel that we need a common

communication policy not just for the army

but also for all three services. SP

In a network centricenvironment, wherewe are looking atseamless integration,communications policiesneed to be formulatedand implementedcentrally.


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SMALL ITEMS.

GREAT PERFORMANCES.

D E S I G N A N D P R O D U C T I O N O F E L E C T R O N I C D E F E N C E S Y S T E M S .


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CES.NET

Since World War II, Army Air Defence

(AAD) has emerged a vital compo-

nent for any modern army. The Battle

of Britain , for instance, showcased

the use of airpower in the 1940s wherein

the German Air Force made a sustained

effort to gain air superiority over the Royal

Air Force, especially the Fighter Command.

In a speech made on June 18, 1940, in the

House of Commons, Prime Minister Winston

Churchill said: The Battle of France is

over. I expect the Battle of Britain is about

to begin... The first major campaign to

be fought entirely by air forces, the Battle

of Britain witnessed the largest and most

sustained bombing campaign attempted

till then. Britain employed pure air power

to counter Germany primarily because the

ground-based AD weapons had not reached

the level of maturity require d to effectively

engage and destroy an aerial target moving

at great speed in three dimensions simulta-

neously. The development of radar and mis-

siles added teeth to the existing gun systems

and since then AD has not looked back in its

march towards becoming an effective coun-

ter to air power. Nor has the development

of air power and aerial platformsinclud-

ing supersonic fighter aircraft with superior

avionics and aeronautics, beyond the visual

range armament, UAVs, cruise missiles and

ballistic missilesstopped.

Alarmingly deteriorating security environ-

ment in the immediate neighbourhood and

relentless terrorist strikes have compelled

Indian government to get its act together todefend the nation from all types of external

and internal threats. With a new regime

likely to be in place in about two months, it

would be pertinent to review the incumbent

UPA governments achievements during its

full tenure in the context of defen ce moderni-

sation and the challenges it leaves behind for

the future government.

Current AD scenarioAAD of the Indian Army at present compris-

es systems of varying vintage ranging from

45 (L70 gun) to 15 years old (Tangushka).

However, a majority of the remaining guns

and missiles are about 20 to 25 years old.

The technology, especially in the field of

ammunition, missiles, sensors and active

seekers, has advanced very rapidly, thereby

necessitating upgrade and replacement of

the existing AD weapon systems at least

every 10 to 15 years so that these remain

current. Considering the vintage, the current

AAD picture is rather dismal when reviewed

system by system.

L/70 Gun system: L/70 is the mainstay

and has been the war horse of AAD since

1964. It was to be completely replaced by

2000; however, there has been no progress.The Defence Research and Development

Organisations (DRDO) effort has kept its

replacement at a limb for about two decades.

Not many gun systems are currently avail-

able but a possible choice is Skyshield of

Rheinmetall Defence which has an effec-

tive range of 4 km and rate of fire of 1,000

rounds per minute. A match for any fire

control radar, its most redeeming feature is

the Advance Hit Efficiency And Destruction

(AHEAD) technologyammunition which

contains 152 heavy tungsten metal, spin sta-

bilised sub-projectiles, ejected by a time fuze.

It is reportedly very effective against small

targets. There is a strong case for transfer of

technology for the gun for manufacture at

Jabalpurs Gun Carriage Factory after reviv-

ing the defunct L/70 production line as a

large number of guns are to be replaced.

The same system can replace ZU-23mm

twin barrel guns, if foun d suitable, and

thereby reduce the inventory. A project for

its upgrade with a better optronics sighting

system and a ballistic computer has been in

progress for more than five years, but as to

when it will fructify is anybodys guess.

Schilka System: A highly mobile system

for supporting armour formations, the

Schilka has been in service since the early

1970s. One regiment of its successor, the

Tangushka, was procured, but subsequent

procurement of additional mounts got mired

in hassles and tussles, consequently the AAD

now has to make do with limited equip-

ment that does not meet current operational

requirement. Worse, there are hardly any

choices globally. One option is to take dispen-

sation for diluted operational requirement

and single vendor, and procure more num-

bers of Tangushka mounts. Alter natively,

Skyshield gun, fire control radar and a suit-able missile can be co-mounted on a chassis

like T-72/ T-90 through a joint venture of the

Ordnance Factory Board and Rheinmetall

Defence, thereby rendering it an indigenous

flavour. Meanwhile, the Schilka has repor ted-

ly been successfully upgraded with an Israeli

radar and is in the final stages of induction.

Quick Reaction SAM system: The current

QR SAM system is OSA-AK, a highly mobile

system for the defence of armour forma-

tions that is more than 20 years old and

hence, needs to be replaced. DRDOs efforts

to develop the Trishul system did not suc-

ceed and a RFP has been issued. Among the

contenders, Israels Spyder has already been

tried and selected by the Indian Air Force

(IAF), but its mobility is yet to be proved.

Raytheons HAWK XXI is a more advanced

and compact version of HAWK PIP-3

upgrade integrated with a swanky new

3D MPQ-64 Sentinel radars. The missilesare upgraded MIM-23K standard with an

improved blast-fragmentation warhead that

creates a larger lethal zone. Raytheons other

system is SLAMRAAM which is the land ver-

sion of air-to-air missile about to be inducted

into the US defence forces. Other systems are

Russias TOR M-1 which has a range of 12

km and Aster15 with a range of about 30

km, both seem to fall in the category of either

less or more range than required. There are

reports that the DRDO has entered into a

joint venture with MBDA for the Mica missile,

christened Maitre (friendship), under a Short

Range SAM (SR SAM) system programme to

replace the QR SAM.

Medium Range SAM (MR SAM) system:

The current system, the Kvadrat, is more

than 35 years old and has the technology

of the early 1960s. An RFP was issued but

later withdrawn due to poor response. The

DRDOs Akash has not succeeded in mobile

role although the IAF has procured limited

numbers to replace the ageing Pechoras,

but additional procurement appears to be

through a joint venture of the DRDO and IAI

of Israel. The contenders could be Russias

BUK-M1, Aster30, Israels Barak Next

Generation, MB DAs MICA, Patriot Advance

Capability-3 (PAC-3). The PAC-3 syste m

incorporates many changes to the ground

equipment and the missile, and is fielded

in incremental steps, called Configuration

1, 2, and 3. The ultimate PAC-3/Conf.3

includes upgrades to the radar (now desig-

nated AN/MPQ-65) to increase detection in

high-clutter environments, and to improve

discrimination of c losely spaced objects (bet-ter decoy recognition). Patriot is the obvious

frontrunner as it is war proven, incorporates

hit-to-kill technology, can engage aircraft,

helicopters, UAVs, cruise and tactical ballis-

tic missiles deployed with 10 nations, includ-

ing the US. Since production

began in 1980, 170 Patriot units

and 9,000 missiles have been

supplied globally.

Shoulder Fired SAM systems:

The current system Igla is in ser-

vice with the Indian Navy and the

IAF. It was to be replaced with a

latest version, the Igla-M, which

had a better approacher mode

capability, but there was some

delay. It may still be in the r eckon-

ing along with Starstreak from

Britain, Stinger Block 2 of the USand the Mistral of France.

Quite evidently, the army,

bureaucrats and the ministers

have to work in synergy and with

complete transparency to ensure

the process does not become

kingand modernisation is

taken to its logical conclusion. SP

Air Defence

AAD of the Indian Armyat present comprisessystems of varyingvintage ranging from 45(L70 gun) to 15 years old(Tangushka)

One regiment ofthe Tangushka wasprocured, but subsequentprocurement got miredin hassles and tussles,consequently the AADnow has to make do with

limited equipment

Fighting ObsolescenceA candid review of the incumbent governments achievements in thecontext of modernisation reveals a rather sorry state of affairsLT GENERAL (RETD) NARESH CHAND

Skyshield 35 by Rheinmetall US Patriot Air Defence missile

g

p

,

y


5/16

2009 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved.Customer Success Is Our Mission i s a registered trademark of Raytheon Company.Photo courtesy of S&H

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6/16


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Acquisition of multi-barrel rocket

launching systems has been consid-

ered mandatory to add punch to the

artillery support fires. In the initial

stages, India had acquired 122 mm multi-bar-

rel GRAD BM-21 rocket launching systems

(MRLS) from Russia to provide fire support to

the countrys assaulting echelons and neutral-

izing the enemy positions. Aim was to cover a

wider area with saturation fire in a very short

timethe large number of unguided free

flight rockets provided the required dispersion

and the shock effect at the target end.

Of late, however, there is a trend in the

new MRLS to have a smaller number of

larger-diameter rockets, often using cluster

sub-munitions rather than a large number of

small rockets. Further, to improve their accu-

racy and lethality there is a trend towards

providing guidance to the rockets. Together

with the 122 mm MRLS, the Russians hadalso given GRAD (P) Increment, a single rock-

et launching system which was not required

by India. However, nowadays such single bar-

rel rocket launchers have become common

weapons of choice for militants with little

accuracy but a g reat deal of portability.

The Pinaka MBRLThe MRLS are generally grouped with the

corps level artillery. These systems are light

and, therefore, highly mobile and provide

flexibility to the commander for both employ-

ment and deployment. The MRLS are light

because they are not burdened with the

heavy recoil systems of the artillery guns.

However, 122 mm GRAD h as a limited reach

of 20 km compared to medium guns like 155

mm which have a maximum range of 40 km

with rocket assisted projectiles. Therefore,the Indian Army needed longer range rocket

systems. Combined with the necessity of

indigenising the countrys defence produc-

tion, the Defence Research and Development

Organisation commenced research and devel-

opment (R&D) on a longer range multi-barrel

rocket launcher (MBRL), christened Pinaka.

Not only was the R&D successful in devel-

oping Pinaka, it was also the first major

weapon system which was contracted to

private enterprises for production. In April

2006, the Advanced Material Division of Tata

Power and the Heavy Engineering division

of Larsen & Toubro bagged orders to produce

around 40 Pinaka MBRLs each. Pinaka 214

mm MBRLS is all weather, indirect fire, free

flight, area saturation weapon system. It

consists of a vehicle mounted with 12 tubes,

three replenishment vehicles, a loader-cum-

replenishment vehicle and a fire control

system. It can fire rockets with a range of 40

km, in a salvo of 12 rockets with 1.2 tonnes

of high explosives within 40 seconds. It can

be fitted with a variety of warheads ranging

from blast-cum-pre-fragmented high explo-

sives to anti-tank anti-personnel mines.

In the Kargil conflict of 1999 a develop-

ment version of Pinaka had been used. Some

of the shor tcomings identified then and in therange tests later were improved upon before

handing over the same for series production.

However, one of the critical needs felt during

Kargil conflict was the lack of Indian artillerys

ability to bring down mass fires in rear areas

of the adversary and on terror camps which

were outside the range of artillery. If a MRLS

with a range of 70 to 90 km, like the Russian

Smerch, had been available then the terrorists

logistic support infrastructure, for instance,

at Muzaffarabad and Skardu could have been

attacked with positive results.

The Russian SmerchAfter a great deal of ne gotiations with

Russians, India signed a deal in end December

2005 to acquire Splavs Smerch-M BM-30 or

9K58. The system is designed to defeat man-

power, armored and soft-skinned materielin concentration areas, artillery batteries,

command posts and ammunition depots in

depth areas. The Smerch-M contract includes

D 28 wheeled MAZ-543A vehicles with 12-

tube 9A52-2 launchers, plus logistics sup-

ply and fire-control vehicles. It has six types

of ammun itions. In addition, several of its

rocket types have sub-munitions warheads

that can cover wide areas with anti-armor or

fragmentation munitions, neutralizing con-

centrations of armour and troops well beyond

the range of any of Indias present artillery

systems. There is also thermo-baric warhead

however it is not clear whether that has been

included in the contract.

Smerch BM-30 has also been tested for its

transportability on high mountain ranges,

including half-way up to Leh. All operational

and qualitative parameters were met during

the trials. It can be used as an independent

artillery system, with shoot-and-scoot capabili-

ties, in the high-altitude mountainous areas of

Jammu and Kashmir. First contract of Smerch

was for 38 systems; a second contract for sup-

ply of 18 additional systems was concluded

last year. It is believed that new systems would

have munitions with the extended range of

90 km and improved accuracy. The projectile

with extended range is known as 9M528- uses

high energy composite propellant and it can

also carry and scatter 25 anti-tank mines.

Smerch also has smart munitions fitted with

infra red sensors for terminal guidance andkinetic energy fragment warheads which can

defeat armour of 70 mm at 30 degrees angle.

To reduce costs, the Indian version, Smerch

9A52-2T, uses indigenous vehicles.

However, acquisition of a long range

weapon system with guidance capabilities is

of no use without matching real-time sur-

veillance and target acquisition capabilities.

Therefore, it is necessary to develop corre-

sponding capabilities by acquiring suitable

UAVs and satellite systems that can provide

continuous surveillance. Russians are devel-

oping a miniature aerial vehicle with stabi-

lised camera which can be launched from the

Smerch launcher to enable the Smerch com-

mander to obtain real time battlefield surveil-

lance data. The aerial vehicle uses Global

Positioning System and has the same range

and can transmit data up to 30 minutes.

Guided MLRSWhile the Russian MRLS have only moved

recently towards providing terminal guidancecapabilities to munitions and less accurate

inertial guidance to rockets during flight,

the American MRLS have not only honed

capabilities for terminal guidance but have

gone a step ahead by providing GPS guid-

ance to the rockets during flight. Improved

accuracy results in a lesser number of rounds

required to neutralise a target. Further, this

also reduces the logistic burden for both

maintenance and supply of munitions. The

Americans, as part of their guided MLRS

(GMLRS) programme, have also developed a

Guided Unitary Rocket that is equipped with

a guidance package, and carries a warhead/

payload which provides them the capability of

attacking a variety of targets to include those

that require low collateral damage.

The US and NATO troops in Afghanistan

have used 200 pound GPS-guided GMLRS

frequently to avoid collateral damage. The

British have deployed several of GMLRS in

Hemland province of Afghanistan. The GPS

guided rockets contain the latest advanced

computer technology, affording them unsur-

passed accuracy. Precision capabilities have

also earned these the sobriquet of 70 Km

Sniper Rifle from combat troops. According to

NATO reports, a GMLRS fired in Afghanistan

killed Taliban Commander Mullah Dadullah in

2007. An earlier version of GMLRS was also

used during Operation Iraqi freedom in 2003

with successful outcome. Precision warfare

has become one of the key elements in counter

insurgency operations for enabling minimum

collateral damage.

Pak eyes Chinas A-100 MLRSCloser home, it is believed that Pakistan is inthe process of acquiring A-100 MLRS from

China to offset advantage gained by India

through acquisition of Smerch. The A-100 is

a long-range 300 mm multiple launch rocket

system developed to meet the requirements of

the Peoples Liberation Army. The A-100 MLRS

development was inspired on the impressive

Smerch MLRS deployed by the Russians. A-100

has similar capabilities as that of Smerch.

Therefore, what India needs to do is to

continue to develop its indigenous rocket

launching systems and produce MLRS with

capabilities similar to that of Smerch or even

better. Matching surveillance and target acqui-

sition assets also need to be acquired/indige-

nously developed. Above all, there is the critical

need to develop robust satellite positioning and

navigation system that may be regional to startwith. Such an MRLS would give India options

of carrying out long range surgical strikes in

the least response time (as compared to the air

force strike aircraft) against terrorist camps, in

addition to employing it for a wide variety of

military missions. SP

The author is a senior fellow in USI of India.

Smerch BM-30 can beused as an independentartillery system, withshoot-and-scootcapabilities, in the high-altitude mountainousareas of Jammu and

Kashmir

Rocket Arti l lery

The 9A52-2T Smerch MLRS is an upgraded variant of the original Smerch based on the Tatra chassisPhotograph:www.military-today.com

Lethality & PrecisionIndia should continue to develop its indigenous rocket launching systems and produce MLRSwith capabilities similar to that of Smerch or even better

BRIGADIER (RETD) VINOD ANAND


7/16


The Skyranger gun system is a self-propelled multi-mission system for protecting mobile units and stationary

assets. Thanks to modular armour, the unmanned turret can be optimally outfitted for the missionat hand.

Using the high performance Ahead ammunition, the Oerlikon 35mm revolver gun of the Skyranger system

is the ideal weapon for engaging air and ground targets. An electro-optic tracking sensor or tracking radar

controls the weapon and automatically tracks the assigned target.

More information at: www.rheinmetall-defence.com

New tasks, new solutions

Rheinmetall Marketing Office India The Taj Mahal Hotel Office Suite 422 Number One

Mansingh Road New Delhi 110011 India Phone +91 11 2302 6060 Fax +91 11 2302 6050

SP Arti l lery

On Tracksor WheelsA synopsis of some of the modernself-propelled 155 mm/52 calibre

gun systemsLT GENERAL (RETD) R.S. NAGRA

Modern self-propelled guns are

either tracked or wheeled. Further,

these guns may have different

design configuration, that is to

say, gun turret mounted on a tank hull with

crew inside the hull, or, turret mounted on a

tracked or wheeled platform and crew lodged

in separate cabin or compartment/s with fullprotection from shrapnel and small arm fire.

The latter design makes the system safe for its

crew who remain completely out of reach of

any potentially dangerous mechanics of the

gun and autoloader, plus the crew is protected

from gases generated during firing. Some of the

modern self-propelled 155 mm/52 calibre gun

systems are described here.

Tracked SystemsAS90: The AS-90 (Artillery System for the

1990s) is a lightly-armoured self-propelled

artillery piece used by the British Army. It was

designed, developed and manufactured by the

Armaments Division of Vickers Shipbuilding

and Engineering (owned by

BAE Systems since 1999). It

was first delivered in 1993.

Used by five regiments of the

British Artillery, it has replaced

the 105 mm FV433 Abbot

SPG, the M109 155 mm SPG

and the FH-70 155 mm towed gun. In 2002,

the BAE systems were contracted to upgrade

96 British Army AS-90s to a 52 calibre gun.

M109A6 Paladin: The M109 is an

American-made self-propelled 155 mm how-

itzer, first introduced in the early 1960s. The

gun had its combat debut in Vietnam. Israel

used it in the war against Egypt in 1973 andin the Lebanon wars of 1982 and 2006.

Iran used this gun in the Iran-Iraq war in the

1980s. The M109 saw service with the British

Army, the Egyptian Army and Saudi Arabian

Army in the Gulf War of 1991. It saw service

with the US Army in both wars against Iraq

(1991 and 2003).

It has been continually upgraded and

improved to todays current version, the

M109A6 Paladin, which is used by the US

Army in its armoured and mechanised divi-

sions. The gun can fire tactical nuclear pro-

jectiles, cannon launched guided projectiles

(CLGP or Copperhead), rocket assisted projec-

tiles, scatterable mines and improved conven-

tional munitions.

With the cancellation of the Crusader

Program, the Paladin remains the principal

self-propelled howitzer of the US until the Non-

Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C) from the US

Armys Future Combat Systems programme

comes online.

PzH 2000: The Panzerhaubitze 2000(PzH 2000) is a German 155 mm self-pro-

pelled howitzer developed by Krauss-Maffei

Wegmann GmbH (KMW) and Rheinmetall for

the German Army. It is particularly notable for

a very high rate of fire; in burst mode, it can

fire three rounds in nine seconds, 10 rounds in

56 seconds, and can fire between 10 and 13

rounds per minute continuously, depending on

M-109 Paladin - 155 mm HowitzerPhotographs:USArmy

The developmentprogramme of the K-9artillery system has beenunderway since 1989 in

South Korea


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WWW.SPSLANDFOR

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barrel heating. The replenishment of shells is

automated. Two operators can load 60 shells

and propelling charges in less than 12 minutes.

PzH 2000 has also been selected by the

armies of Italy, The Netherlands and Greece,

and more orders are probable as many NATO

forces replace their M109 howitzers. Ability of

this gun to provide accurate fire at 40 km has

been a major selling point.

Rheinmetall designed the 155 mm 52-

calibre barrel, which is chromium-lined for itsentire 8 metre length and includes a muzzle

brake on the end. The gun uses standardised

bi-modular charge system. Primer is loaded

separately via a conveyor belt, and the entire

loading, laying and firing is completely auto-

mated. Wegmann supplied chassis, sharing

some components with the Leopard 1, and

the turret for the gun. The system has superb

cross-country performance and considerable

protection in case of counter-fire. The turret

includes a phased array radar on the front

glacis for monitoring outgoing rounds and

correcting for windage. Laying can also be

automatically provided via encrypted radio

links. A crew of three commander, layer and

driveris needed for full operation.The PzH 2000 was used for the first time

in combat by the Dutch Army in August 2006

against Taliban targets in Kandahar Province,

Afghanistan, in support of Operation Medusa.

Since then it has been used regularly in sup-

port of coalition troops in Uruzgan province,

also in Afghanistan. The PzH 2000 was also

used extensively during the Battle of Chora. It

is known as the long arm of ISAF. The gun

has been criticised by the Dutch in Uruzgan

province as the NBC system designed for use

in Europe cannot cope with the high level of

dust in Afghanistan. Nicknamed the Beasts of

Tarin Kowt by the Taliban, the guns have been

modified with additional armour being fitted to

the roof to protect against mortar rounds.

2S19 Msta: The 2S19 Msta (Russian: t,

named after the Msta River) is a conventional

self-propelled 152 mm howitzer designedby Russia/Soviet Union and entered service

in 1989. It is based on the T-80U tank hull,

weighs 42 tonnes and is powered by the T-72s

diesel engine. There is also a NATO 155 mm-

compatible version, the 2S30 Iset, which is

intended for export by the Russian Federation.

The gun is operated by Belarus, Eritrea,

Ethiopia, Georgia, Russia and Ukrain.

K-9 howitzer: The development programme

of 155 mm/52-caliber self-propelled howitzer,

called K-9 artillery system, has been underway

since 1989 in South Korea. In 1996, the first

prototype was tested. The contract was award-

ed to Samsung Aerospace Industries (SSA)

by the Korean Government on December 22,

1998. The Republic of Korea Army received

the first production batch of K-9 from prime

contractor SSA in 1999.K-9 has an all-welded steel armour con-

struction which is rated to withstand impact by

14.5 mm armour piercing shells and 152/155

mm shell fragments. State-of-the-art mobility

subsystems include a 1,000 horsepower engine

with potential for growth and hydropneumatic

suspension unita requirement for Koreas

rugged mountainous terrain.

T-155 Firtina: T-155 Firtina (Turkish: Storm)

is an indigenously-designed 155 mm self-

propelled howitzer produced by the Turkish

Army, which shares many technologies with

the South Korean K-9 howitzer such as the

German designed MTU-881 KA 500 power

pack, the South Korean designed 155/52 cali-

bre gun system and the ammunition feeding

mechanismall of which are also produced

under licence in Turkey.

Even though the T-155 looks similar to theK-9, the Turkish howitzer has considerable

differences in its turret design, navigation

system and electronic systems (such as the

radio and fire control system) which were

developed in Turkey.

DONAR: Germanys KMW and General

Dynamics European Land Systems with

Corporate Headquarters in Spain, have jointly

developed a new generation, air deployable

(


9/16


ChinasAsymmetric CapabilitiesOutmatched by the West in cutting edge military technology, China predictably has takenthe simpler and cost effective route to interfere with their critical military networks vital forcommunication, surveillance, reconnaissance and other strategic purposes

SANJAY KUMAR

Even as the world debates Chinas

quest for capabilities required to proj-

ect its power beyond the Asia-pacific

region, Chinas asymmetric military

capability growing significantly in critical

areas has drawn considerable global atten-

tion in recent times. The employment of

asymmetric tactics as a means to gain elec-

tromagnetic advantages in the early stages

of war is part of the Chinese military strat-

egy to compensate for its technical inferior-ity. Chinas present military thinking on the

use of asym metric capabilities in war gets

sufficiently reflected in Unrestricted Warfare,a book published in February 1999 in the

Chinese language by two senior colonels of

the Peoples Liberation Army. Affording a

clear insight into the present Chinese mili-

tary thinking, the book unequivocally sug-

gests the need for China to develop skills and

weapons in stealth warfare in order to spring

surprise and deception on adversaries who

are technologically superior to it.

Outmatched by the West in cutting edge

military technology, China predictably has

taken the simpler and cost effective route

to interfere with their critical military net-

works vital for communication, surveillance,

reconnaissance and other strategic purposes.

Chinas efforts in developing asymmetric mili-

tary capabilities, extending from outer space to

cyber space, is part of the two pronged strat-

egy Beijing seems to have adopted with regard

to its military modernisation. On the one

hand, the Chinese military is intensely beefing

up basic infrastructure that supports conven-

tional warfare capabilities; on the other, it is

aggressively pushing for capabilities aimed at

exploiting technical vulnerabilities of its adver-

saries. At present, Chinas military technology

is at least a generation behind that of the US.

Although the Chinese military is doing every-

thing possible to gain technological parity with

other advanced militaries of the world, it is still

a long way off the desired status.

The geo-strategic dynamic of the Asia

Pacific region, coupled with its own economic

rise contributing significantly to it, m akes itnecessary for Chinas military to maintain

a state of cons tant combat readiness. The

Chinese military, however, is in the throes

of the biggest transformation in its history.

Transforming everythingfrom doctrine

to strategy, and training to equipmentthe

military can ill afford to wait till it has

gained technological parity with the western

nations. It needs to rapidly develop a stop-gap

arrangement. With latest military technology

from Russia increasingly becoming scarce

and the countr ys own conventional warfare

capabilities yet to reach the desired level, it is

expected that Chinas asymmetric war-fight-

ing capabilities will only grow with time.

Race to Conquer SpaceBy far the most alarming military threat that

China currently poses to other advanced

nations is in outer space. Fact is, Beijing has

developed capabilities in space which might

seriously cripple not just military networksof other nations but also their financial and

industrial infrastructure. Even before China

shot down an obsolete weather satellite in

January 2007 using a ballistic missile 537

miles above the Earth, there were speculations

it had used ground-based lasers against US

satellites. The satellite kill in 2007, however,

was a complete stunner. The ballistic missile

used by China as direct assent anti-satellite

weapon (ASAT) in 2007 carried a kill vehi-

cle and destroyed the satellite by ramming it,

demonstrating in the process Chinas acquired

capability in tracking and bringing down an

orbiting satellite from stand-off positions on

Earth. Next to the direct assent ASAT weapon,

China appears to be moving in the direction

of a co-orbital anti-satellite weapon.

Chinas possible efforts at developing a

co-orbital ASAT weapon gets credence from

the fact that Shenzhou-7, Chinas recently

launched satellite, also carried a micro-satel-

lite, BX-1 weighing 40 kg and measuring 40

cm on each side, which some believe to be

prelude to the development of another anti-

space weapon of some kind, possibly to be

used for the purpose of head-on collision with

a hostile satellite. Although the stated purpose

of BX-1 was to take pictures of the orbiting

mother satellite in co-orbital motion, a small

incident which occurred at the time BX-1

was releasedthe micro satellite had begun

to drift away before it was pulled back after a

series of manoeuvres to an elliptical track of 4

km multiplying 8 kmhas since given rise to

speculations whether the erratic handling of

the accompanying micro satellite was intend-

ed to test manoeuvrability required in devel-oping a co-orbital ASAT weapon. According

to Chinese official sources, it is the first time

China succeeded in engineering this kind of

space orbiting. Unlike India, the military con-

trols Chinas space programme. Hence, it is

quite likely that Beijings recent space mission

did have some military objectives to achieve.

Apart from using micro satellites as anti-

satellite weapons, the Chinese military would

also be tempted to employ these for non-kinet-

ic communication or surveillance missions.

Since most space technology used by China

is dual use and the c ountrys military has

dominant interest in space, it would be pru-

dent for countries like India to closely monitor

Beijings every move in space, as also to devel-

op more sophisticated means to keep their

satellites out of harms way. China is believed

to have developed capabilities to interfere orincapacitate foreign satellites in ways such as

electronic jamming or blinding using ground-

based laser weapons, electronic pulse weap-

ons, space mines, debris rings, high-altitude

nuclear bursts and parasitic satellites.

Caution & PrecautionChinas continued focus on development of

anti-satellite weapons could certainly lead to

an arms race in space. Beijings persistence

to weaponise space certainly has Washington

most worried not only because the US has the

widest network of satellites in the world, its

global military deployment capabilities to a

great extent depend on these satellites. Other

countries, like India, Japan and Australia, are

no less concerned on account of the looming

threat in space. The decision taken by India

in June 2007 to set up an Integrated Space

Cell to function as a single window for inte-

gration among the armed forces, the depart-

ment of space and the Indian Space Research

Organization (ISRO) appears to have been

largely influenced by Chinas experiment

with ASAT weapon in 2007. Elsewhere,

Japans parliament passed a law on May 21,

2008 that would allow its military to launch

advanced satellites for intelligence gathering

and missile defence.

A disturbing fact related to Shenzhou-7

that surfaced recently is that it had orbited

dangerously close to the International

Space Station (ISS), flying to a distance of

about 45km (27 miles) from it. Shenzhou-

7s close presence to the ISS has the inter-

national community worried. America and

Russia spend huge amounts of money to

keep the ISS safe from homing objects in

space, as such they have developed capabili-

ties required to manoeuvre it away before

any object actually hits it. Similar efforts

would be needed by developing nationswho intend to put up space stations in the

future or even by those nations who already

have their satellites orbiting in outer space.

Besides China, at least three other Asian

powersIndia, Japan and South Korea

have planned ambitious space missions,

including manned lunar missions and set-

ting up of space stations at some point of

time in the future. While it is not nec essary

that all space missions must have military

objectives to achieve, it would be imperative

for the nations involved in space explora-

tion to gear up for challenges arising from

Chinas asymmetric capabilities in space.

Cyber WarsNext to space, China is contemplating using

cyberspace as a weapon to destabilise its

adversaries. The White Paper on ChinasNational Defense in 2004 explicitly under-

pins the critical role the countrys emerging

informationalised force is seeking to play in

the present techno-scientific battle spectrum.

According to a Pentagon Report in 2007,

Beijing views cyberspaceattacks, defence

and exploitationas critical for achieving

electromagnetic dominance early in a con-

flict. As digital wars are becoming more of a

routine, the Chinese military is increasingly

focused on developing information warfare

capabilities. It is believed to have already

raised globally the most capable band of

hackers in the military domain, trained and

equipped in cyber attack and counter-attack

capabilities. In fact, a US congressional advi-

sory panel recently stated that Chinese abil-

ity to cyber attack is so sophisticated that

the US may be unable to counteract or evendetect the efforts of the attacks.

Cyber attacks on countries inimical to

China are increasingly becoming more

routine and widespread these days. Most

recently, about 75 per cent of th e computers

in major military base in Afghanistan were

reported infected with a worm which could

be possibly traced back to China. In 2007,

Niprnet the unclassified e-mail system of the

Pentagon was thought to have been invaded

by hackers operating from China. UK, France

and Germany are among other nations who

faced network-based cyber attacks from

China in the past. In so far as the invasion

of Indias cyberspace by Chinese hackers is

concerned, it is stated to be even more ram-

pant and carried out almost on a daily basis.

However, the Chinese military is not alone

in pursuing cyber warfare. According to one

estimate presently there are about 120 coun-

tries which are engaged in such activities. In

the most recent example, Russia and Georgia

are engaged in a cyberwar of sor ts, attack-

ing each others networks and websites.

Cyber security threat perception generally

revolves around malicious computer software

in the form of Trojans worms, bots and so on.

There is, however, also the real possibility of

microchip in a computer and other external

devises, like printers, scanners and data trav-

elers, being designed or modified in such a

way as to program it to do nefarious things.

Since China is a major exporter in computer

hardware, there is a need to remain vigilant

about every possible intrusion points. The

Indian military as it evolves increasingly into

a network-enabled force stands particularlyvulnerable to Chinese cyber threats. Cyber

attacks are dangerous for India also because

of the Countr ys growing reliance on net-

works and technology to control critical sys-

tems that run power plants, transportation

and financial systems.

Concerned about the growing Chinese

threat in cyberspace, the Indian army has

decided to create cyber-security organisations

down to the division-level to guard against

cyber warfare and data thefts. This can hardly

be stated as adequate. India at present lacks

a decision making authority at the highest

level in cyber warfare. Since the cyber secu-

rity forum of the National Security Council

in India has become almost defunct after the

US spy incident, there is need to put in place

a structure similar to Integrated Space Cell at

the tri-services level with setting up of a cybersecurity force drawn from experts in military,

IT sector, academia, private enthusiasts and so

on. Ideally, what is needed is not just defence

against Chinese cyber threats but also counter-

offensive capabilities in cyber warfare. SP

The writer is Research Assistant, Centre for Strategic Studies and

Simulation, USI of India.

Beijing has developedcapabilities in spacewhich might seriouslycripple not just militarynetworks of othernations but also their

financial and industrialinfrastructure

China is believed to havedeveloped capabilities tointerfere or incapacitateforeign satellites inways such as electronic

jamming or blindingusing ground-based laserweapons

Regional


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BMS: To Collate,

Co-relate Battle DataIn the Indian context, a Battle ManagementSystem would provide situational awarenessto a unit/subunit/detachment commander andnetworking him down to an individual soldieror a tank

LT GENERAL (RETD) V.K. KAPOOR

V

iolence has no face, only character.

So while its quite impossible to

parenthesise the perpetrators, the

genesis of a terror threat can be

largely attributed to global or regional crises,or loopholes in inter nal security. Ethnic and

sectarian violence, insurgencies, narcot-

ics/drug wars, illegal immigration, religious

fundamentalism, terrorism (local and inter-

national variety), territorial disputes over

unsettled boundaries, conflicts due to great

power rivalries, proliferation of nuclear weap-

ons, WMD falling in the hands of ter rorists,

wars to secure resource areas, and piracy and

terrorism at sea, on land and in the airall

of that make it mandatory for India to adopt

a more pragmatic view towards its future

military capabilities. The differing nature of

the above conflicts and the emerging trends

in the battle field environment requires flex-

ibility, mobility, quick response capability

and exploitation of the technology spectrum

to secure war winning advantages in future

military endeavours.

Rapid advances in recent times and count-

less instances from the past illustrate that

technology is one of the principle factors that

drives the change in the method of war fight-

ing. Facing an entirely new tech nological

eragenerated through advancements in the

field of miniaturisation, digitisation, material

science, bio-technology, sensor technology,

stealth, communications and information

technologyIndia needs to integrate new

technologies as warfighting systems. The

dominant technology trends which impact

the land forces are:

Long range precision firepower

Integrative technologies, includ-

ing Intelligence, Surveillance and

Reconnaissance

Stealth technologies Communication technologies

Lighter, more mobile strike vehicles with

greater firepower to replace tanks for out

of area contingencies and power projec-

tion

The advances in the field of c ommunica-

tions, computers, command and control,

information and interoperability (C4I2) have

provided military capabilities to view the

battle space as one composite whole and thus

be tackled jointly or singly by any weapon of

any service which is within range. Inter-oper-

ability will be the essence for the different

C4I2 systems of the three services (army,

navy and the air force). This system, together

with the tactical communication system, will

allow network enabled warfare. At the unit

level, there will be certain distinct character-

istics which will require comprehension tounderstand the change that will come about

in the method of war waging at the tactical

levels of a battalion/regimental group.

General architectureA Battle Management System (BMS) is

designed for the battalion/regimental level

group. It enables operational planning, estab-

lishes a common language across all combat

elements and allocates boundaries and areas

of responsibility. It automatically updates the

intelligence within the combat group and

distributes target information and alerts to allconcerned. Thus it enables flexible planning

and operation. When integrated with on-

board networked computers, every platform

becomes a ne tworked sensor and a shooter.

Weapons can be slaved by remote users, to

remote sensors, therefore empowering the

system with more flexibility. This ensures fast-

er tempo of operations, and effective employ-

ment and distribution of firepower without

risking fratricide. A BMS integrates built-in

navigation and communications functions

which are fully integrated with the platform,

on-board sensors and weapons.

When embedded in armored fighting

vehicles, or infantry combat clothing, these

systems become the basic level of the tactical

C4I network. BMS comm only rely on infor-

mation collectively gathered by the units

combat echelons (tanks, APCs, reconnais-

sance and surveillance elements and so on) to

populate its databases with information about

the location, status and intentions of own

and enemy forces. Specific targets are marked

on the BMS displays, providing clear and

specific situational pictures to each sub-unit,

allocating tasks and coordinating fire and

maneuver over a large area, without the need

for visual coordination.

The integration of own force tracking

further improves situational awareness and

minimises the risk of fratricide. Displays used

on AFVs must have high intensity illumina-

tion, to overcome direct sunlight as well as

very low illumination, for night operations.

Operation usually supports touch screen or

pushbuttons, activating a limited number of

preset functions, with an embedded pointing

device and virtual alphanumeric keyboard.

This layout is designed to meet the require-

ment of operation with full combat gear,

in harsh hot, cold and humid conditions,

including under full NBC protection suits.

To minimise clutter, BMS units are set to

filter information, presenting a limited data

set including local units, and targets relevant

for immediate engagement. Yet, for planning,

situation analysis and providing a broader

view when necessary, BMS can present larger

views of the area, supporting automated

functions of terrain analysis, route plan-

ning, generating of orders, status reports,

maintain tracks of inventories and so on.

Such information can automatically be sent

to the brigade, where it is used to create real-

time situational reports at the headquarters.

When used with mechanised infantry units,

BMS can be detached from the vehicle to sup-

port dismounted infantry operations. In this

application, wireless (WiFi) links are becom-

ing vital for the integration of the services

available on the vehicle, its c rew and the dis-

mounted element.

Israeli SystemIn Elbits Battlefield Enhanced Smart Training

architecture, the BMS system is embedded

with simulation and debriefing capabilities.

This approach enables combined trainingof live, simulated and virtual forces, at mul-

tiple locations and different levels (battalion,

brigade and other units). The Israeli Defence

Force has trainers for battalion combat team.

The Merkava Mk4 main battle tank has on-

board trainers for providing full simulation

environment for commander and the gunner.

It supports training from the individual tanks

up to the combat team level.

US Army SystemThe Force XXI Battle Command Brigade

and Below system: The FBCB2 provides

the US Army software and h ardware tools

that support operational situations at the bri-

gade level and below, down to the individual

soldier and for the single platform level. The

system integrates subscriber sets covering

the brigades entire area of interest, includ-ing Bradley or Stryker combat vehicles, M-

1A2 (Abrams Main Battle Tanks), AH-64D

attack helicopters, OH-58D and Black Hawk

helicopters, artillery and combat support

elements. The systems coverage extends far

beyond the line of sight and visual commu-

nications ranges provided by previous com-

mand and control systems. The system relies

To minimise clutter, BMSunits are set to filter

information, presenting alimited data set includinglocal units, and targetsrelevant for immediateengagement

Technology

LandWarrior - US ArmyPhotograp

hs:www.defenselink.mil,wikipedia

FELIN A soldier models the Land Warrior system


11/16


on advanced communications devices, which

integrate position navigation and reporting

capability with the help of GPS. Some battle-

field identification capability is embedded to

generate instant alerts in situations where

engagement between friendly forces is at risk.

The US Land Warrior: An integrated fight-

ing system for individual infantry soldiers,

it gives the soldier enhanced tactical aware-

ness, lethality and survivability. The systems

integrated into Land Warrior are the weapon

system, helmet, computer, digital and voice

communications, positional and navigation

system, protective clothing and individual

equipment. The Land Warrior system will be

deployed by infantry, and combat support sol-

diers, including rangers, airborne, air assault,

light and mechanised infantry soldiers. The US

Army launched the Land Warrior programmein 1994. An engineering and manufactur-

ing development contract was awarded to

Raytheon Systems, then Hughes Aircraft

Company. Plans were drafted to build an initial

capability (formerly Land Warrior Block 1)

and then a Land Warrior Stryker Interoperable

(formerly Land Warrior Block 2).

The US Army is speeding up a wider

deployment of high-tech soldier gear so that

it arrives about the same time as accelerated

Future Combat Systems equipment, said Lt

General Ross Thompson, Military Deputy to

the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army

for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. The

Ground Soldier Ensemble, which emerged from

the Land Warrior programme, includes a hel-

met-mounted display showing troop locations.

The Land Warrior system relies on lithium bat-

tery technology for its light weight, high ener-

gy density and extended operating time. At 7.2

pounds and with two major subsystems, the

ensemble is lighter than its predecessor.

French Army SystemsGIAT industries have developed SIT, also

known in its export configuration Finders.

Developed as part of a comprehensive combat

vehicle digitisation programme, this BMS is

deployed with French Army AMX-10P and

Leclerc tanks, and is expected to be fielded

with the future VBCI armoured infantry

carriers. A large number of SIT units are

currently deployed with the French and UAE

armies. The system is designed to support

units up to battalion level.

The system runs on militarised or rug-

gedised PC workstations operating underWindow OS. Each unit uses common soft-

ware modules shared by all systems, and role-

specific modules developed for every type of

application or vehicle, including reconnais-

sance, armor, armored infantry car rier, light

armored vehicle and command post vehicle.

These specific modules enable the system to

integrate with the vehicles navigation, com-

munications, optronics, and weapon systems.

All systems use common tactical terminals

and graphical displays.

FELINInfantry Soldier System

Schedule: Under the FELIN contract, Sagem

will deliver up to 22,500 FELIN V1 sets for

20 infantry regiments and an additional

9,000 FELIN sets for use by the troops of the

armoured, engineering and artillery regi-

ments of the French Army. In September

2007, 50 pre-production FELIN systems weredelivered and trials with these are underway.

Further, 358 pre-production FELIN sets are

scheduled for delivery in 2008 for operational

evaluation. Three infantry companies will

undertake a series of trials of the pre-pro-

duction systems of the FELIN systems. The

trials are scheduled to last 12 months. The

first 1,089 production FELIN systems were

ordered in May 2006 and full-rate produc-

tion is scheduled to begin in September 2008.

First deliveries of production FELIN units are

scheduled for early 2009 with initial deploy-

ment in mid-2009. In April 2008, Sagem

received an order for 5,045 FELIN systems

for the French Army, to be delivered between

mid-2009 and the end of 2010. It is esti-

mated that all French infantry troops will be

equipped with FELIN V1 by 2010. Production

of FELIN V2 is planned to begin in 2015.

For the FELIN System the DGA (procure-

ment agency of French Ministry of Defence)

has provided a target weight for the system of

less than 25 kg, to include the entire FELINsystem, weapons, ammunitions and 24-hour

energy, food and water provisions. Effort is

also being directed to the selection of the

energy supplies and the method of recharg-

ing batteries.

The system will be delivered in five con-

figurations for different levels of command.

Each of the 20 regiments will be supplied

with 1,000 systems. The FELIN system

includes portable computer, a voice and

data radio, new combat clothing with body

armour and a new ballistic helmet.

Italys Soldier SystemAn industrial team, led by Selex

Communications (formerly Selenia

Communications), is developing the Italian

Soldato Futuro, future soldier system. The

industrial team includes Aero Sekur, Beretta,Galileo Avionica, Larimart and Sistema

Compositi.

Sistemi Compositi is leading the devel-

opment of the helmet, clothing and pro-

tection system. The combined combat

vest and universal support module, being

developed by Sistema Compositi and Selex

Communications, includes cables for the

integration of the electrical components

worn and carried by the Soldato Futuro.

The Soldato Futuro body armour provides

stab protection and protection against 9 mm

rounds. The use of wire links reduces the

volume of electromagnetic radiation, making

the soldier less vulnerable to detection and

surveillance and also the systems less vulner-

able to electronic countermeasures such as

jamming. A new disruptive pattern material

has been designed for temperate and desert

environment versions of the combat uniform.

The soldier will also have a camouflage ver-

sion of the nuclear, biological and chemical

protection suit. Boron carbide plates can be

fitted to the body armour to provide protec-

tion against the penetration of 7.62 mm

armour-piercing rounds.

Developments in the IndianArmyCurrently the Indian Army is organised,

equipped and trained for traditional, second

and third generation, industrial age, low and

medium technology, conflicts and for counter

insurgency and counter terrorist operations

within. The nature of wars, in the future,is going to compel us to think big but with

smaller, more maneuverable, more precise,

more agile and ne tworked forces.

In an interview to SPs Land Forces, theDirector General of Information Systems of

the Indian Army Lt General P.C. Katoch said,

The Indian Army is in a phase of transition

from conventional warfare to information

enabled warfare, that is, from platform cen-

tric to network centric warfare (NCW). The

full realisation of any such revolution is pos-

sible only with technological development,

organisational adaptation and, most impor-

tantly, a national will.

An effective and technologically sound IT

force along with robust communication net-

works has been created to facilitate real time

sharing of information and quick decision

making so as to achieve information superior-ity. A road map has been formulated by which

the army can progress steadily towards being a

potent IT force. We have identified the develop-

ment of C4I2 systems as a major thrust area

for modernisation of our army. Development

and fielding of automated operational and

information systems for various levels of oper-

ations from Army Headquarters to Battalion

Headquarters to individual soldiers are in

progress. Command Information and Decision

Support System, Artillery Command, Control

and Computer System (ACCCS), Battlefield

Support System, Air Defence Control and

Reporting System and BMS are the major proj-

ects under development. Integrated together

with requisite communications, these systems

will provide near real time sensor-to-shooter

links to make army a network centric force.

In the Indian context, a BMS will be a

system providing situational awareness to

a unit/subunit/detachment commander

and networking him down to an individual

soldier or a tank. It will be addressing the

command control and information needs of

the Tactical Battle Area and will be a build-

ing block in the overall NCW architecture.

It will be a situational awareness system

having a terrain platform in the form of

Geographical Information System and tools

for data fusion and passage of information.

It is currently in the inception (study) stage

of development as opposed to some other

systems such as the ACCCS which are being

fielded for trials.

Future Infantry Soldier as a System: TheF-INSAS will be a part of the BMS for the

infantry. The infantry soldier has to a have

multi-terrain, multi-environment capability

to fight as an autonomous combat platform

networked into the overall war fighting

system architecture. The F-INSAS project is

aimed at giving the infantry soldier exactly

this capability. This project would provide

the infantry soldier enhanced capabilities

in terms of lethality, mobility, survivability,

situational awareness, sustainability and

battle command, so as to improve his opera-

tional adaptation. F-INSAS perceives the

soldier as a part of the systema multi-mis-

sion, multi-role war fighter consisting of the

individual soldier along with his integrated

soldier system set that contains numerous

modular but integrated components. Rapid

deployment and frequent manoeuvre offorces would require the soldier to rely more

on information superiority to locate, identify,

track and effectively engage opposing forces

while at the same time ensuring higher

degree of own survivability. F-INSAS will

focus on requirements specific to the Indian

context of terrain, adaptability, tactical doc-

trines and so on. SP

In Elbits BattlefieldEnhanced Smart Trainingarchitecture, the BMSsystem is embedded withsimulation and debriefingcapabilities

An integrated fightingsystem, the US LandWarrior gives the soldierenhanced tacticalawareness, lethality andsurvivability

Soldata - Italian Future SoldierPhotograph:SelexGalileo


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WWW.SPSLANDFOR

CES.NET

Modern battlefield is fast becom-

ing highly mobile and dynamic

due to the nature of operations

and lethality of weapons. Force

projection, hybrid operations (simultaneous

involvement in various types of conflicts, peace

operations and humanitarian operations)

information warfare, joint operations and so on

further add to the complexity of warfighting

which require situational awareness and rapid

exchange of information to enable faster syner-

gised decision-making.

Automation command and control tools

consisting of hardware platforms and software

applications, thus, become a critical aid forcommanders for warfighting where the vertical

networks link command echelons while hori-

zontal connections connect all combat units.

Such systems also effectively integrate the tacti-

cal and strategic command levels. Army Battle

Command System (ABCS) of the US is the key

system along with many sub-systems that have

successfully automated the battlefield.

Army Battle Command SystemABCS integrates the command and control

(C2) systems found at each echelonfrom

ground force commanders at the theater or

joint task force level to the individual soldier

or weapons platform. Whether an army force

is deployed for land combat or is conducting

peace operations, providing humanitarian

assistance or giving aid to civil authorities,

ABCS supports the mission by integrating the

battlespace automation systems and com-

munications which functionally link strategic

and tactical headquarters. ABCS is interoper-

able with joint and multinational C2 systems

at upper echelons across the full range of C2

functionality, and is vertically and horizontally

integrated at the tactical and operational lev-

els. ABCS comprises three major components:

The Army Global Command and Control

System

The Army Tactical Command and Control

System

The Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and

Below

In the battlespace, ABCS enables every

stationary and moving platform to be con-

nected in a digital battlefield. It employs a

mix of fixed/semi-f ixed installations andmobile networks that will be interoperable

with theater, joint, and combined command

and control systems. Its supporting systems

and subsystems are:

Global Command and ControlSystem-ArmyThe GCCS-A is the army component of the

Global Command and Control System-Joint

(GCCS-J) which provides strategic, tacti-

cal and theater command and control. A

key component of th e ABCS, it provides a

seamless link of inform ation and data from

the strategic GCCS-J to the army corps and

below by providing a common picture of

army tactical operations to the joint and

coalition forces while facilitating interoper-

ability of systems with the army command.

Specifically, it provides: Force readiness, planning, projection and

situational awareness

Force employment

Joint common operational picture with sup-

porting status and intelligence information

Local Area Networks in client/server con-

figurations with an interface to the Secret

Internet Protocol Router Network, a system

of interconnected computer networks used

by the US Department of Defense and the US

Department of State to transmit classified

information up to the level of secret

Advanced Field Artillery TacticalData SystemThe AFATDS provides army and marine corps

digitised, automated and totally integrated

fire support C2 system designed to replace the

Tactical Fire Direction System. It processes fire

mission and other target related information,

from corps and below to coordinate and opti-

mise the use of all fire support assets, including

mortars, field artillery, cannon, missile, attackhelicopters, air support, and naval gunfire.

Air and Missile DefenseWorkstationThe AMDWS supports the Surface Launched

Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile

system by supplying the user with an air

defence picture through the depiction of

tracks of aircrafts, UAVs and deployed mis-

siles, thereby providing an automated defence

planning capability.

All Source Analysis SystemThe ASAS is an army programme to automate

the processing and analysis of intelligence data

from all sources. It is a tactically deployable

Automated Data Processing system designed

to support management of intelligence and

electronic warfare operations and target devel-

opment in battalions, brigades, armoured regi-

ments, separate brigades, divisions, corps and

echelons above corps. The ASAS is a linchpin

system that forms seamless intelligence archi-

tecture between and across echelons.

Battle Command andSustainment Support SystemFormerly the Combat Service Support Control

System, the BCS3 supports the warfighting

C2 and battle management process by rapidly

processing large volumes of logistical, person-

nel and medical information. The BCS3 will

facilitate quicker, more accurate decision mak-

ing by providing a more effective means for

force-level commanders and Combat Support

Service (CSS) commanders to determine the

sustainability and supportability of current andplanned operations. Qualitative improvements

attributed to the BCS3 will be measured by

positive assessment by a substantial majority of

commanders and their staffs. The BCS3 will col-

lect and process selected CSS data in a seamless

manner from CSS Standard Army Management

Information Systems, manual systems/pro-

cesses and other related sources. The BCS3 is

employed at the battalion, brigade, division,

corps, separate brigade, armored regiment,

non-divisional brigade, group and regiment and

echelons above corps.

Combat Terrain InformationSystems (CTIS)Army terrain teams must produce a wide

range of topographic products and analyses to

support mission planning for military opera-

tions. Digital Topographic Support System(DTSS) is thus designed to support the armys

requirement by building around the latest

commercial technology. CTIS in turn and

has developed a range of systems to provide

the required terrain analysis support to the

battlefield commander. By taking advantage

of two powerful commercial software pack-

ages, ESRIs ArcInfo and ERDAS Imagine, the

DTSS configurations can generate Tactical

Decision Aids from input terrain data and out-

put as map overlays for use on other systems

that use the Command and Control PC, ABCS

and Commercial Joint Mapping Toolkit view-

ers. CTIS systems are deployed from brigade

through echelons above corps.

Force XXI Battle Command,Brigade-and-BelowThe FBCB2 provides situational awareness and

command and control to the lowest tactical

echelons. It facilitates a seamless flow of battle

command information across the battlespace

and will interoperate with external commandand control and sensor systems, such as ABCS.

The end result is the vertical and horizontal

integration of the digital battlespace and the

brigade-and-below tactical unit levels. FBCB2

provides speedier C2 capabilities to Force XXI

units at brigade and subordinate echelons.

Tactical Airspace IntegrationSystemTAIS is a mobile communications and digitised

battlefield automated system for airspace man-

agement which is replacing the AN/TSC-61B

Flight Operations/Coordination System. It is

planned for employment in any theater of oper-

ations and will be the army system to meet both

Army Airspace Command and Control (A2C2)

and Air Traffic Services (ATS) requirements. The

TAIS will provide the Force XXI battlefield with

automated A2C2 planning, enhanced A2C2

execution, improved theater and intra- and

inter-Corps/Division ATS support in war and

military operations other than war. Although

the TAIS was originally designed primarily as an

airspace management tool but it has the capa-

bility to enhance the lethality and survivability

of army aviation after integration into the Army

Tactical Command and Control System family.

Real and near real time battlefield information

integrating the battlefield functions of intelli-

gence, fire support, air defence, aviation maneu-

ver and airspace management would almost

ensure that all air borne platforms, including

the ones transiting through the battle space, are

properly directed, protected and controlled.

Maneuver Control System

MCS is an integrated architecture of hardware,software, Standardized Integrated Command

Post System, personnel and procedures.

The MCS is designed as a set of modular

applications that sit on top of the Defense

Information Infrastructure Common Operating

Environment which contains government-off-

the-shelf and commercial-off-the-shelf tech-

nologies. It will also contain features and tools

which will allow addition of specific staff-officer

oriented applications, like operations order,

maps and overlays module. MCS will provide

the battlefield commander with a Common

Tactical Picture as applicable to him with the

aim of making the force more lethal and surviv-

able on the battlefield. MCS will primarily do

this by providing the planning and executing

functions and the integrating capability previ-ously unavailable in an integrated manner. For

example, MCS-Light provides corps through

battalion force level commanders and staff the

ability to collect, coordinate, and act on near

real time battlefield information and to graphi-

cally visualise the battlefield.

AN/TMQ-40 IntegratedMeteorological SystemThe IMETS is the meteorological component of

the Intelligence and Electronic Warfare subsys-

tem of the ABCS. IMETS is a mobile, tactical,

automated weather data receiving, processing

and dissemination system which provides com-

manders at all echelons with an automated

weather system to receive, process, and dis-

seminate weather observations, forecasts, and

weather and environmental effects decision

aids to all Battlefield Operating Systems. The

IMETS is an US Army-furnished and main-

tained system operated by USAir Force weath

Documents

SP's LandForces Apr-May 2009