ARNG fielding AFATDS.

Approximately 67 percent of the Field Artillery is in the Army National Guard (ARNG). During the past few years, the Guard has assumed a larger role within the Field Artillery, and the relationship between our Active and Reserve Components units have become close. Recognizing the increased role of the FA ARNG, the Army determined that some FA Guard units will be fielded new equipment before some active units. Such is the case with the advanced FA tactical data system (AFATDS).

AFATDS is an Army and Marine automated command and control system for fire support operations. It is the singular command, control and communications solution to the complex problem of integrating and controlling fire support assets. The AFATDS A99 Version vastly improves the flexibility of inputs, such as critical commander's criteria and priority of fires, and has a distributed database that supports horizontal and vertical continuity of operations throughout all levels on the battlefield. The software includes tactical and technical fire direction capabilities.

All fieldings are determined by the Army order of precedence (AOP). In the summer of 2001, the approximate equivalent of three ARNG FA brigades from across the country fielded AFATDS and completed AFATDS new equipment training (NET). (See the figure.) In the summer of 2002, the equivalent of about five more ARNG FA brigades from 10 different states will field AFATDS.

AFATDS NET. This training is intensive and time-consuming--especially for APING units that have approximately 39 days a year to conduct training. The AFATDS ARNG NET is conducted as a three-week annual training (AT) event, including weekends. The first phase of AFATDS NET is 15 days of classroom instruction on identifying component parts, developing communications, inputting the commander's guidance, mapping, developing the unit database, processing fire missions and other topics.

After the classroom portion of NET, the unit conducts a three- to four-day command post exercise (CPX). The CPX allows the unit to validate the instruction, its unit tactical standing operating procedures (TACSOP) and that the equipment works in its vehicles. The objectives of the CPX are to tie the classroom instruction together and allow the operators and leaders not only to understand the "buttonology" of AFATDS, but also to understand how to fight the system.

Sustainment Training. The learning process does not stop after NET. Given ARNG training time constraints, digital sustainment training is a challenge. To help units meet that challenge, the FA School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, via the NET team (NETT) provides a variety of training materials and equipment. Included is computer-based training, which is a CD program on basic operator-level tasks for individuals to load and train with on their PCs. In addition, the NETT leaves the unit all the programs of instructions (POIs) and associated training materials used during NET. These materials provide the unit a starting point in designing training lessons for unique requirements.

The NETT also fields the simulation/stimulation training software (SISTIM) to the unit. SISTIM is a fire support program to enhance unit digital sustainment training. It is loaded onto a separate hard drive that can be inserted in place of the AFATDS hard drive for training purposes. The program provides a scenario and stimulates unit operations in fire support, fire control and observers.

The program allows the unit to develop its own digital training scenarios for all levels of training--section, battery, battalion and brigade/division artillery. It combines automatic generation of tactically sound and doctrinally correct targets with real-time simulation of FA and fire support operational facilities. SISTIM also provides a near real-time scenario modification capability that allows the operator flexibility and promotes scenario continuity. These features minimize the time required for scenario development.

The SISTIM basis of issue (BOI) is one per battalion, brigade/division artillery, corps artillery and battlefield coordination detachment (BCD). The SISTIM software is free as are the upgrades developed in conjunction with the new versions of AFATDS.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) Course. This course was designed by the NETT to help ARNG field AFATDS successfully. Units that are to be fielded in the following FY send members to Fort Sill to receive four weeks of training on AFATDS. The individuals receive the full operator course and SISTIM training, start working on the unit's TACSOP and develop a unit master unit list (MUL) and a digital training scenario for SISTIM for use during NET. The individuals who attend the SME course serve as assistant instructors during NET.

AFATDS represents a unique opportunity for ARNG FA units to remain relevant on the battlefield of the future.

Major Richard H. Owens III, FA Title X Assistant TSM-FATDS, Fort Sill, OK

RELATED ARTICLE: AFATDS Fielding to the ARNG through FY02. Depending on funding, the entire FA ARNG is projected to be fielded by 2007.

Fielded 2001

45th FA Bde (OK)

* 1-158 FA (OK)

* 1-171 FA (OK)

196th FA Bde (TN)

* 1-115 FA (TN)

* 2-115 FA(TN)

197th FA Bde (NH)

* 1-172 PA (NH)

* 2-197 FA (NH)

2-111 FA (VA)

(54th FA Bde)

1-152 FA (ME)

(Separate Unit)

2-222 FA (UT)

(I Corps Arty)

Fielding 2002

57th FA Bde (WI)

* 1-126 FA (WI)

130th FA Bde (KS)

* 2-130 FA (KS)

* 1-127 FA (KS)

138th PA Bde (KY)

* 1-623 FA (KY)

147th PA Bde (SD)

* 1-147 PA (SD)

* 2-147 FA (SD)

169th PA Bde (CO) (HHB)

1-214 FA (GA)

(Separate Unit)

C/2-131 FA (TX)

D/2-131 FA (TX)

(49th AR Div Arty)

1-181 FA (KY)

(196th PA Bde)

1-182 PA (MI)

(Separate Unit)