Jtac Cas

10th INTERNATIONAL COMMAND AND CONTROL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM THE FUTURE OF C2 Air Warfare Battlelab Initiative for Stabilized Portable Optical Target Tracking Receiver (SPOTTR) Topic Track: Decision Making and Cognitive Analysis Paper #149
Using SPOTTR to Enhance C2 in a Close Air Support Scenario

Lt Col Mark M. Pendley Air Warfare Battlelab 360 Gunfighter Ave Mt Home AFB, ID83648 Tel: 208-828-3519 Fax: 208-828-3525 DSN: 728-3519 Mark.Pendley@mountainhome.af.mil

Air Warfare Battlelab Initiative for Stabilized Portable Optical Target Tracking Receiver Abstract
This paper will address a current problem in Close Air Support (CAS) targeting and a solution that should greatly enhance our C2 operations in the Global War on Terror. During CAS operations, a Joint TerminalAttack Controller (JTAC) is a qualified Service member who, from a forward position on the ground, directs the actions of combat aircraft engaged in CAS and other offensive operations. Oftentimes the CAS pilot is required to have the target in sight before weapons delivery. The target “talk-on” from the JTAC to the CAS pilot can take too long for timely target engagement. This paper will address aconcept to improve our C2 operations by speeding up the targeting process, using SPOTTR in combat operations.

Problem Statement
During a CAS scenario, our forces may be engaged in close proximity with the enemy. The ground commander can request either immediate or pre-planned CAS to support his scheme of fire and maneuver. It is imperative to correctly ID the intended target to preventfratricide or collateral damage. One of the most difficult tasks in CAS is properly identifying the target before striking it. This is particularly true in an urban CAS scenario. The JTAC is assigned the task of controlling the CAS aircraft to hit the ground commander’s requested target(s). The JTAC will have the target in sight, but getting the CAS pilot’s eyes on target can take too long if just usingthe radio to talk the pilot from a known point on the ground to the target. The perspective from the air is much different than the one on the ground. Over the years, there have been several instances in combat and peacetime CAS operations where the target is not positively identified in a timely manner due to long talk-on times.

Concept to Improve C2 in CAS
Stabilized Portable Optical TargetTracking Receiver (SPOTTR)
Laser guided munitions are being used more frequently in the combat battlespace. To improve the C2 process of quickly engaging a CAS target in single digit minutes, SPOTTR is an Air Warfare Battlelab initiative to integrate an off the shelf laser spot tracker into gyro-stabilized binoculars. It will triple as a visual magnifier, night vision device and a laser spottracker.

When a CAS pilot intends to use a laser guided munition on a target, he must fire a laser spot on the target before weapons impact. It is important for the JTACs to be able to detect the laser energy so they can verify the correct target is being lased prior to weapons delivery. By moving the SPOTTR to correspond with the displayed directions in the eyepiece, the user is directed to thelaser spot location.

CAS Scenario
During a CAS scenario, the ground commander requests CAS assets to support his scheme of fire and maneuver. There are three types of CAS Terminal Attack Control: Types 1, 2 and 3. JTACs use Type 1 control when the situation requires them to visually acquire both the attacking aircraft and the target under attack. Type 2 control will be used when the JTACmaintains control of individual attacks, but either visual acquisition of the attacking aircraft or the target at weapons release is not possible or required. Type 3 control may be used when the tactical situation indicates that CAS attacks impose a low risk of fratricide. When commanders authorize Type 3 control, JTACs grant a “blanket” weapons release clearance to an aircraft or flight attacking a...