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| Unlike laser guided
munitions, which share a mutual electro-optical signal to coordinate
the sensor and shooter, GPS guided weapons require precise target
coordinated, which must be extracted through manual process,
from aerial photos, maps and other sources, verified for accuracy,
to eliminate potential collateral damage or risk to friendly
forces. Such process is prone to calculation errors which could
cost human lives. A computerized process which will transform
live imagery into geospatial coordinates, interpreted by 'coordinate
seeking weapons' (GPS guided, such as JDAM),
could have a dramatic effect on the way such weapons are used,
especially under limited visibility conditions, when the use
of laser guided weapons is limited. Current 'sensor to shooter'
systems are designed to pursue time critical targets within
10 minutes from detection, as semi-automatic processes enable
to prioritize the most critical imagery, assisting target extraction
and communications to the platform, enabling target prosecution
within 3 minutes or less from detection.
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| This cycle requires the targeting
process to operate in near-real-time rates, lasting less then
three minutes. However, typical target life in asymmetric warfare
is much shorter than that. One of the systems playing a key
role in improving those rates is the Currently an Advanced Concept
Technology Demonstration (ACTD) development Gridlock will provide
position data, accurate to within 10 meters and shorten the
time elapsing from sensor detection to weapon launch, to less
than sixty seconds. Gridlock replaces current time-consuming
manual imagery registration with an automated machine-to-machine
process, embedding geopositioning data in each pixel. The system
will transmit actionable information to a display in the field
showing accurate coordinates and error estimates, by moving
a cursor over the image of interest. Gridlock will then export
selected coordinates into targeting tools. This technique will
minimize the need for training and improve sensor-to-shooter
response time.
Gridlock focuses on three ISR platforms used by the Air Force:
the Predator, Global Hawk and the piloted U-2. The Air Force
is expected to transition the technology to operational systems
following conclusion development and demonstrations conducted
through 2006.
Facing similar issues, the Israelis have pursued such solutions
for heir targeting tasks. Few years ago, RAFAEL unveiled the
Golden-Bay real-time imagery processing system. The system provides
real-time, high throughput and high accuracy processing of reconnaissance
imagery, yielding a dramatic increase in accurate target generation
rate. The original system was housed in a field deployable shelter,
yet keeping pace with computing technology, it can now be positioned
much closer to the 'sensor to shooter' cycle, embedded into
smaller processors and payload control systems, pursuing faster
Time Critical Targeting paces.
Topics covered in this article:
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