Summoning the fire. (Technology).

In the early 1980s movie "Conan the Barbarian", the hero learns that the sharpest sword "is only as strong as the hand which wields it". It's a sentiment with which today's artillery commanders would agree--the best gun or howitzer is only as effective as the fire-control system that directs its fire.

In today's highly mobile warfare, operational tempos are becoming ever faster, and with this trend comes a need to control the firepower of artillery with ever-greater accuracy and speed. Since the 1960s, computerised fire-control systems have largely replaced the traditional methods of gun aiming.

A successful indirect-fire engagement requires that target intelligence is available to allow aim points to be identified, and that the resulting target data is quickly passed to whatever guns or rocket launchers are available within range. After firing has begun, forward observers must watch the fall of shot, note any targeting errors and report the required corrections. Once the rounds are falling on the target, the rate of fire must be maintained to ensure the necessary level of target destruction.

There are two aspects to the problem of controlling artillery fire. The first is that of delivering the fire accurately; the second is that of delivering it in a timely fashion against a target that may be moving and unwilling to wait around for long enough to find itself on the receiving end of hostile fire.

Enter Automation

In the post-war years it was realised that the process should be automated, so electro-mechanical analogue devices such as the US Army's M35 Field Artillery Fire Control System were fielded. These systems offered new levels of speed and accuracy, yet still lacked the precision needed to deal with the demands of longer-range guns and early tactical missiles such as the US Honest John.

The move to systems based on digital computing hardware was inevitable and in 1958 Autonetics, a division of North American Aviation, was given a contract by the US Army to develop the Field Artillery Digital Automatic Computer (Fadac).

The Fadac used transistors, measured approximately 61 x 35.5 x 86.3 cm and weighed about 91 kg. It could automatically compute and visually display the firing data for field artillery weapons, based on inputs such as target and weapon locations and other factors such as weather. The art of controlling artillery was revolutionised and all major armies began to deploy similar systems.

The tactical effects of an automated fire-control system can include:

* shorter reaction times

* higher concentration of fire

* greater accuracy of fire due to the use of the most current target data

* reduced demand on radio or line communications

* greater efficiency of command staff due to the automation of routine tasks

* better use of mobility to improve the survivability of artillery assets.

The US Army's pioneering Fadac (often dubbed `Freddie' by its users) had a long service life. It was widely used during the Vietnam War and remained in service into the 1980s.

United States 

In the late 1960s, Litton (now part of Northrop Grumman) developed and manufactured the Tacfire automated field artillery system for the US Army. Further development during the 1970s resulted in a more compact version known as the Lightweight Tacfire. This tactical fire direction system entered service with the US Army in the mid-1980s, and an export version known as Litacs is currently used by the armies of Thailand and Taiwan.

Tacfire and Litacs can take information from sources such as the AN/ TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radars, the Joint Surveillance and Target Acquisition system (Jstars), meteorological measuring system, and forward observers, then distribute targeting data to the various nodes where tactical and technical fire direction is performed.

The Fadec's eventual replacement was the Battery Computer System (BCS) developed by prime contractor Norden Systems (part of Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems) and GEC-Marconi (now Alenia Marconi Systems), the principal subcontractor. Deliveries began in November 1981 and more than 1400 systems have been fielded by the US Army, US Marine Corps and export users.

The BCS provides computerised control of artillery fire at the battery level. It can handle up to twelve guns or howitzers and up to three simultaneous fire missions. The BSC is also used to control Multiple-Launch Rocket System (MLRS) launchers.

The system can operate autonomously but can also extend the capability of the Tacfire, allowing this battalion-level system to control operations at firing battery level.

A Battery Computer Unit (BCU) is located at the Fire Direction Centre, while each gun under its control is equipped with a Gun Display Unit (GDU).

The BCU contains a central processor plus a data-management system which contains information on the guns and forward observers under its control, the ammunition available, all reported potential targets and meteorological and map data.

The BCU maintains digital communication links via wire or AM/FM tactical radios with target acquisition systems, forward observers, weapon commanders and meteorological data systems. It performs all the calculations needed to create individual fire-mission data for all twelve weapons, transmitting this information to the guns in one second.

Audible alarms, visual cues and details of fire missions appear on the SCA, a unit not much larger than a handheld calculator.

This basic configuration of a central processing unit able to accept target data and automatically generate commands for the guns has remained the central concept of the modern fire-control system, but since the mid-1980s, three advances in technology have transformed the effectiveness of indirect artillery fire:

* laser rangefinders able to establish the exact range of a target from the forward observer

* global positioning system (GPS) receivers able to rapidly determine the accurate location of the observer (and thus that of the target), also the exact locations of the guns or rocket launchers

* high-speed digital communications via radio.

The latest fire control systems team all three of these technologies, allowing targeting data from observers to be automatically transmitted in digital form to fire co-ordination centres, where computers automatically calculate the bearing, elevation and other data needed by the guns or rocket launchers under their control, then send this information in digital form to the individual weapons.

Raytheon's Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (Afatds) forms part of the US Army Battle Command System (ABCS), and provides multi-service (Army and Marine Corps) command, control and communications for fire support, allowing attacks to be mounted at the right time and with the appropriate weapons and munitions.

The Afatds provides integrated, automated support for planning, coordinating and controlling fire support assets ranging from field artillery and mortars, to naval gunfire, close air support and attack helicopters. It establishes target priorities, selects the best weapon system from all fire-support assets available, and co-ordinates target-acquisition and sensor assets to provide targeting information and damage assessment data.

Development has been a lengthy process, but the system was approved for service in 1996 and by 2004 is due to be in service with the active units of the US Army. By 2007 it is expected to be in service with reserve units. The Afatds has also been adopted by the US Marine Corps, where it will form the basis of the Fire Support Tactical Data System. First Foreign Military Sales customers were Portugal and Turkey, both of which ordered the system in the summer of 2001.

Several different types of computer are used by the Afatds system, including the Hewlett Packard Tactical Computer Unit, Northrop Grumman AN/GYK-37(V)2 Lightweight Computer Unit, GTE Codar Explorer II compact computer unit, or a laptop incorporating a Raytheon TCIM (Tactical Communications Interface Module). Forward observers will use the Northrop Grumman Handheld Terminal Unit.

The system will use a series of rule-based filters to determine whether potential targets should be engaged. It will decide which system is the best method of attacking an individual target, which system of that type is within range of the target and the best type of ammunition to use. It will create, maintain and send the resulting fire plans.

The Afatds will also handle the planning of artillery related force and unit movements, managing and co-ordinating the movements of fire units, target location radars and meteorological sensors. It will also handle the planning of logistical support for these assets, creating and maintaining inventory files, supply requests and reports.

Britain

The British Army's current artillery fire control system is the Alenia Marconi Systems (formerly GEC-Marconi) Bates (Battlefield Artillery Target Engagement System). This semi-automatic data processing and fire control system was accepted into service in December 1992 as the 'Conventional Bates'.

A follow-on production contract awarded in 1993 covered the manufacture of a further batch of Bates systems to complete the British requirement. Deliveries were completed in 1996.

Subsequent integration work allows the system to accept data from the Phoenix drone and the Cobra counter battery radar and to control fire units equipped with the AS90 155 mm self-propelled howitzer or the MLRS.

The Bates accepts target data from forward observers, artillery location radars, sound ranging systems and other reconnaissance sensors. Digital communications handle the flow of data from the target acquisition units to the artillery headquarters, where it is processed and displayed to the artillery commander. Distributed data processing is used, with each level of the command chain having the appropriate level of processing power and system functionality. Automation is used wherever possible to reduce the number of human links, speeding up the process of planning engagements.

In developing its Quickfire battery and battalion-level artillery fire control system, Alenia Marconi Systems was able to retain many features of the earlier Face system, while using modern electronic component technology to drastically reduce the system's weight and volume.

A single pattern-of-electronics unit can be used by the command post, forward observers, or as a gun display unit. Ballistic data on the type of weapon being used is contained in a plug-in module. The system can be used to control a single gun or a battery of up to eight, with data being transmitted by wire or radio.

When used to control a battery, a Quickfire unit accepts information from forward observers, carries out the necessary survey and ballistic calculations and transmits the appropriate fire commands. At the gun position, the hardware displays the target bearing, gun elevation and details of the ammunition, charge and fuze to be used.

The Quickfire was developed as a private venture and is now in service with three nations.

France

Since the 1980s, the French Army has used the Thomson-CSF Atila fire control system, equipment that was exported to about a dozen countries. The Atila is now being replaced by the new Atlas automated field artillery fire support system. In November 2000, the French defence procurement agency (DGA) awarded Thomson-CSF Comsys (since part of Thales) a production contract worth more than EUR 187 million, which covered system production, deployment and support for eight artillery regiments, two Cobra counter-battery radar link units and associated instruction and training resources. It also included capability sustainment services such as new munitions and interoperability solutions.

The Atlas provides real-time firing sequence management as well as the facilities needed to conduct manoeuvres and to command artillery regiments in the field. It can also collect intelligence data. The system was designed to provide full interoperability with the artillery fire control systems in service with the United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Germany.

French Army artillery units will use Atlas to:

* contribute to target acquisition and intelligence gathering by associated sensors and subsystems, thereby enhancing situational awareness,

* provide an immediate long-range precision strike capability,

* enhance theatre-level security by guaranteeing permanent combat preparedness.

According to Thales, the Atlas is "the most advanced form of artillery system in the world, in terms of both intrinsic performance and development potential". It can be adapted to meet the needs of any type of operational organisation and can be reconfigured in the field.

Giat teamed with Eads Systems & Defence Electronics to create the Fast-Hit, which was exclusively presented to Armada in spring 2001. This is based on the Eads CS2000-series platform-level ballistics Computer, but adds an Eads TGM4 tactical terminal for use in command posts, and a target-acquisition system for use by forward observers. It can control a battery of up to twelve guns. The Hit-Fist can go a long way into facilitating a commander's job, if used with suitably equipped artillery pieces. Self-propelled Caesars, for example, are fitted with a navigation and status reporting system, which enables a commander to know the exact status of each gun -including barrel wear and performance. The Commander uses a Windows-based map display to monitor the tactical situation. Ordering a gun to move is a simple process of 'dragging and dropping' the symbol for the gun to a new location on the map. The software draws lines between potential targets and the guns that are able to engage these. When one or more selected guns is ready to fire, the colour of the line changes from red to black. A dotted line shows that the engagement has begun, while a grey line indicates that the fire mission has been completed. Again, in the case of the Caesar, the driver only needs to drive the vehicle to the point indicated on his monitor (as a result of his commanders drag-and-drop operation) and position the truck according to the moving hands on a clock-like dial. Gun laying is automatic. In fact, the Fast-Hit is more-or-less a dedicated radio-linked e-mail system. The battery commander can thus exclusively concentrate on the tactical situation itself and determine how many guns are needed to fire from various positions and the charges required for each gun to carry out the job.

Germany

The ESG Adler artillery command, control and weapon deployment system was delivered to the German Army in May 1995. Interoperability between an experimental Adler system and the US Tacfire had been demonstrated by a series of live firing trials conducted ten years earlier, but further progress was delayed by the collapse of the Warsaw Pact and the reunification of Germany. Following the trial and evaluation phase of the programme, the system was modified to extend its functionality, and to better match it to the anticipated shape of future combat missions such as coalition and crisis-reaction operations.

The Adler hardware includes computers, PC data terminals with graphics capabilities, printers and combat net radio equipment for digital and voice communications. Installation kits have been devised for use in standard equipment shelters and in tracked vehicles.

Since all shelters and vehicles use the same hardware and software, every Adler-equipped shelter or vehicle can be assigned to any Adler function. Within these shelters or vehicles, every system function can be handled by any workstation. As a result, the effects of equipment failures or combat damage are minimised. If a vehicle, shelter or hardware item becomes unserviceable, a replacement can take over the role within a very short time.

Adler can accept data from an integrated network of target acquisition and artillery weapon systems, and is able to exchange information with other German Army command and control systems, and with the artillery systems of Germany's Nato allies as well. Every Adler system can handle up to three digital radio links and one command post wired network.

Dornier (part of Eads) developed the Ares (Artillerie-Raketeneinsatz-system) to form part of the Adler integrated artillery system. Ares is a battery-level system for use with the German Army's MLRS. It consists of a battery Fire Direction Centre (FDC) installed in a shelter mounted on a two-tonne truck, a platoon leader's vehicle (0.9-tonne truck) with a data terminal and communication hardware (including a KMP processor and tactical radio) mounted on the individual MLRS launchers. Communications between all vehicles and the launchers are handled by Sem 90 radio sets.

The system determines the zones of fire, assigns launchers to firing positions, selects the launchers to be used for a fire mission, determines the type and number of rounds needed to achieve the desired effects on the target and computes the aiming data needed to achieve the desired points of impact.

Israel

Tadiran Electronic Systems developed the Divisional Artillery Command and Control System (Daccs) and Artillery Battalion Fire-Control System (Bombard). The system, operational with a number of unidentified armed forces, won its most recent order in 1998 to equip the artillery units of the Swiss Army.

Daccs handles all procedures, calculations and data communication needed by fire units and commanders up to divisional level, while the Bombard handles the fire-planning task up to battalion level.

Both systems use the same hardware, including the TCC 2200 Tactical Communication Controller, a Mil-Spec PC laptop suitable for use in tanks, APCs or equipment shelters, and a hand-held compact PC small enough for front-line use. Both patterns of PC can be fitted with a two-channel communication controller and a GPS receiver.

Sweden

The Swedish Army has ordered a large number of SaabTech Systems Sker fire control systems as part of a major modernisation of that nation's artillery and mortar batteries.

The Sker consists of a fire control computer and gun display units. Suitable for use at battery, battalion or division level, the system is often mounted in an all-terrain vehicle.

The Fire Control Computer is a 32-bit unit programmed in Ada software language. It makes ballistic calculations, computes the fire mission and handles voice and/or data communications with the command centre.

The forward observers and the artillery officer are able to communicate with the Sker via existing combat-net radio or by wire links. Firing parameters generated from target information supplied by these forward observers are immediately computed and relayed to the gun-mounted GDUs via radio or wire. A single fire control computer can supply data to up to eight guns, providing azimuth, elevation, fuse settings and charge data for each gun, howitzers or mortar. It can also cope with `smart' munitions such as the Strix and the Bonus. When new types of weapon or ammunition are procured, the Sker ballistic database can be updated by re-programming a printed circuit board.

The GDU presents the calculated firing parameters to the artillery crews. Target seeker data for smart munitions is transferred to the GDU and fed into the ammunition without the need for extra equipment. These parameters can also be calculated on the spot within the GDU unit.

Sker is based on dedicated hardware, but the new PC-Sker developed by SaabTech Systems for use with future Swedish Defence Forces artillery and mortar systems has been implemented as software for use on a standard PC equipped with the Windows NT4 or Windows 2000 operating system.

The PC-Sker calculates fire data for all artillery ammunition types and mortars in Swedish Army service, handling the entire fire control process for up to eight guns. The operator provides the program with data such as battery and gun positions, the type of ammunition to be fired, and details of any factors that will affect the trajectory of the rounds (such as meteorological conditions). The PC can be connected to two TR8000 radio systems, and receives fire missions in the form of radio messages in Dart format. Fire data is automatically calculated and transferred to the individual guns, and the software keeps a running log of all events in a separate printer window.

Austria

Austria has fielded the ESL-AIT Eafls system. The Artillery Tactical Computer (ATC) is the central component of the Earls, while the Compact is the main Data Entry Module used to provide information to the ATC, and the Gun Control Unit provides information to the gun crews.

The transfer of digital information between the individual Earls components and the Austrian Army Combat Control Centre is fully automated. The system software was designed and developed in Austria as a joint venture between ESL and the Austrian Army and allows features such as weapon or munition type to be easily modified.

Since the system is modular, any individual component (processor, modem, interface card etc.) may be upgraded or replaced as required without compromising the integrity of the entire system.

Although the customer for the hardware being developed by Terma has not been revealed, it is believed to be the Danish Army, which has ordered a Terma system, known as the Sifcom, for its field artillery.

Development started in the late spring of 2002 and is expected to lead to the handover of a working prototype in the summer of 2003.

The Terma offering will use off-the-shelf hardware such as an existing American communications controller, and a well-known but unidentified pattern of data terminal. In its initial form it will use existing VHF combat net radios, but can be adapted via a software modification to use a future pattern of digital radio.

South Africa

The African Defence Systems AS2000 can accommodate towed or self-propelled guns, multiple-launch rocket systems and mortars. Adopted by the South African National Defence Force in 1997, the AS2000 was subsequently selected by Oman for use aboard its G6 self-propelled howitzers, and by Malaysia for use with the G5 155 mm towed systems.

Great stress is placed by the manufacturer on the system's modularity. This allows the AS2000 to be configured to meet the needs of the end user. The software features Object Orientation, making it adaptable to client-specific procedures and doctrine, and the displays use the preferred language of the operators.

The AS2000 system is based on a Rugged All-purpose Computer, a Pentium-run unit that incorporates either a touch screen, keyboard and/or mouse-type interface as required by each individual platform. A data communications unit maintains radio links between the battery command post, guns and battery/regimental communications nets. Fire control equipment can be mounted in fully equipped command post vehicles or in ISO-standard containers that can be fitted onto five-tonne vehicles.

The gun-mounted hardware is known as a Gun Management System, rather than as a gun display unit. On towed guns it acts as a layer's display, while on self-propelled weapons it serves as an external ammunition display.

For target acquisition, the AS2000 can be integrated with the Falcon portable artillery observation system (Paos) used by dismounted observers, or the vehicle-mounted Eagle mast-mounted mobile artillery observation system (Maos), while the Vulture drone-based Aerial Observation System can provide an over-the-horizon capability.

As Iraq learned in 1991, possessing a large fleet of modern long-range guns does not guarantee effective fire support for one's forces. For much of the time during Desert Storm, Iraqi artillery units had no way of acquiring targets, so were effectively firing blind.

That is a lesson many have learned, so as effective fire control and target-acquisition systems enter service with an ever-growing number of nations, armies that were early adopters of these technologies could one day face equally well-equipped opponents. The relative invulnerability to counter fire that coalition artillery enjoyed in 1991 cannot be guaranteed on tomorrow's battlefields.