Military confrontations during the last decade have highlighted the urgent need for the armed forces to have the ability to transmit tactical targeting information quickly and accurately from a forward 'sensor' platform to a 'shooter' attack platform. Recent trials undertaken by DERA (now QinetiQ) for the UK MoD have proven a system to transmit rapidly real-time, mission-critical data, including images of a target, from a 'sensor' to a 'shooter'. This information can now be relayed in seconds rather than the typical hours. This will have a big impact on reducing the potential for collateral damage when the target is mobile.
The sensor may be a frontline soldier or an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) and the shooter is typically an air-to-ground combat aircraft, such as the RAF's Jaguar. In addition, pre and post-attack images can be readily captured from a suitably equipped aircraft, such as one using a Thermal Imaging Airborne Laser Designation (TIALD) pod, and then relayed to Command Headquarters for nearly instant Battle Damage Assessment.
QinetiQ believes its trials have shown the significance of being able to relay targeting information in a digital form, via a modem known as the Improved Data Modem (IDM) linked to the aircraft's normal UHF radio. A message including target position and type can be received, reviewed by the pilot and downloaded into the aircraft's attack computer in a fraction of the time currently taken when using voice transmissions. The success of the trials has resulted in a programme to upgrade the RAF's Jaguar fleet with such a capability. The IDM has been chosen to be identical with that in the UK Apache helicopter, so that targeting interoperability can be introduced between UK fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
In addition to the explicit UK sensor-to-shooter demonstrations, recent Project EXTENDOR joint trials with the US have shown the compatibility of the information transmission system between UK equipment and a USAF F-16 or a USN F-14D. Images were transmitted using a real-time radio link directly between aircraft and also via a UAV, which demonstrated its ability to extend the transmission and reception range of such information beyond direct line-of-sight and provide an alternative to satellites.
The first phase of these trials was also successful in transmitting a close air support message from a forward air controller via a general atomics aeronautical systems predator UAV to a Jaguar aircraft. When the pilot received the message, it was automatically used to provide highly accurate steering information to the target. The pilot then confirmed the precision of the overlay of the Head-Up Display (HUD) target marker on the target, leading to an accurate weapon release at first pass.
The final phase of Project EXTENDOR will test the system for compatibility with more broadly used data networks such as the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) using a translator facility. This will receive messages from one, select for relevance, translate appropriately and pass on to the other. In this way it will be shown to be possible to exchange appropriate target and position data beyond line-of-sight between aircraft using JTIDS type networks and the more specific IDM-equipped aircraft.