|
 Tactical aids are extremely important for
Command, Control, and Coordination of urban combat operations. While
maps may be sufficient to coordinate operations in an open area where
targets such as tanks, enemy troops, or prepared positions can be
clearly defined by distinctive shapes and coordinates on a map,
typical urban targets look different depending on viewpoint. The
details of the information delivered to the combat units must
therefore match the unique requirements of each situation.
Intelligence with this level of detail may not always be available in
advance. Therefore, tactical units tasked with UC must develop and
maintain internal intelligence collection capabilities. Ground
observations, pre-planted Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS)
Unmanned
Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) are some of
the systems available for data collection. Thanks to advances in
communications technologies, sensors do not necessarily have to be
"owned" or even controlled by the supported unit in order to provide
it with usable information.
Operations conducted by Special Operations (SO) forces usually require
extensive intelligence support, including long range airborne and
ground based observations, electronic intelligence and signal
intelligence support by special mission aircraft and UAVs, etc. SO
forces are also equipped with the means of receiving data from, and
exercising control over these systems, as part of their C4ISR
capabilities. When operated and coordinated as integral parts of the
operation, these C4ISR elements play a critical role in the security
of the ground forces and the success of their missions. While
maintaining a clear and constantly updated visual situational picture
of friendly and hostile forces, these intelligence-gathering systems
are also locating and reporting the target's status and activity. When
integrated with weapon systems, these elements can also be used to
engage the enemy.
Unmanned assets will become an integral part of the arsenal of the new
Unit of Action, the basic maneuver element that will be equipped with
the Future Combat System, which the US Army is expected to field by in
the next decade. These unmanned assets will include four different UAV
systems, at least two UGVs, remotely deployed UGS systems, and other
sensors not organic to combat units.
 These sensors are not ‘futuristic’. Forces are already using some of
these systems, including the Aerovironment
Raven, Elbit Systems
Skylark mini-UAV, the i-Robot Pacbot ground surveillance mini-robot,
and the Dragon Runner, which is operated by the US Marine Corps.
Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) designed to mimic rocks or tree
trunks, can operate covertly tens of kilometers deep in enemy
territory for months without any kind of direct support. UGS have been
used operationally since the Vietnam War, but in recent years, they
have become smarter, evolving into highly capable area surveillance
systems. These autonomous or unattended systems can also be
 equipped
with weapons for rapid closure of the ‘hunter-killer loop’. Similar
methods are used for the control and integration of snipers, operating
as covert observation and attack elements.
Remote Video Terminals (RVT) enable tapping into available video
streams to retrieve analog video data in real time. More advanced
net-centric systems, such as Northrop Grumman's (NG)
Advanced Information Architecture (AIA) enable the
warfighter to retrieve information from databases that store feeds
from multiple remote sensors and intelligence services, providing
access to huge archives of imagery and intelligence in real time.
Users can find items through information searches, just as they do on
the Internet. NG has recently conducted a demonstration of this system
for the US Marine Corps and has integrated elements of it into the
Global Hawk system in support of the forces currently deployed in
Iraq.
Real-time imagery is becoming a critical element for the modern
warfighter, but bandwidth resources available for the transfer of
these video streams are limited. Therefore, the networking systems
serving the combatants are being modernized. These new networks will
provide much wider bandwidth, enabling multiple networks to coexist in
the same geographical area, without interference or degradation of
Quality Of Service (QOS). These wireless networks must employ robust,
highly secure communications in order to protect this critical asset
from hostile information warfare (IW) attack. Hostile attack
activities can range from probing and intelligence gathering, to
causing service degradation, and exploitation (deception). Other UGS
might include snake or caterpillar shaped robots equipped with imaging
sensors for scouting subterranean environments, and even an expendable
dragonfly shaped "creature.” Several of these ‘dragonflies’ can be
rolled into a cigarette pack sized container. When released, they will
be capable of flying around inside a building for several minutes,
while sending valuable real time information to the operating unit.
Unattended sensors are another class of ISR assets currently under
development that will be particularly effective in urban warfare. UGS
are now providing secure outer perimeters for force protection and
ambushes as well as providing persistent surveillance of suspected
insurgent locations. Advanced UGS currently under development include
unattended, remotely controlled, multi-sensor devices that can detect
nearby movement by seismic, magnetic or thermal sensors, then activate
an un-cooled FLIR or a color camera to send a compressed snapshot of
the event via secure, low-probability of detection communication.
Other new devices are designed specifically for urban warfare. Planted
in cleared or deserted buildings, these sensors can continuously
verify that the area has not been recaptured by hostile troops, or can
provide security at entries to areas where friendly forces are
located. Other urban UGS include electromagnetic sensors that can "see
through walls.” Video/acoustic "eyeballs" used by SWAT teams can be
rolled into a room to report on the status inside before troops are
committed. A new rifle-launched arrow-shaped camera can be fired at a
specific point subsequently delivering a remotely controlled video
feed for several hours. Other disposable sensors can be fired from
grenade launchers, shoulder fired weapons or can be dropped by
parachute over the target, to provide an aerial view of it just before
an assault.
|
