Army Aviation Team Achieves Software Success in Live Fire Test

Less than one second. That was how long it took for an Apache helicopter in Europe to transmit a call for fire to ground forces while operating forward of the fire line. A digital chain of messages went halfway around the world in less time than that single second.
It was a success story for the Army and for the team of engineers from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center who were testing the digital exchange of fire mission data in a sensor-to-shooter mission. What they found was that the digital path is there and it works, but digital sustainment training is vital to success. The tech has to continue to work after its initial fielding.
“This combat aviation brigade made history by being the first unit to incorporate the digital call for fire from an AH-64D Apache aircraft in a live fire exercise,” said Johnnie Johnson, project lead and Army Interoperability branch chief in the DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center Software, Simulation, Systems Engineering and Integration Directorate. “The ability to send call for fire messages digitally lessens the possibility of human error. Prior to this capability, pilots would use voice calls over radio to call in artillery fire on a target. After years of testing this capability in the lab, it was rewarding to see the capability be implemented as part of Operation Steel Eagle."
For Johnson, it was another day at the office — only the office was in a command center in a foreign country. But for newcomer engineer Quinton Ford, it was a novel experience. Ford was on the range when the combat aviation brigade lased the target and the field artillery regiment hit the lased targets.
“I learned that it is important to be well-versed in multiple areas,” Ford reflected. “These systems that the military uses are made up of multiple subsystems. Understanding how multiple things work helps to make troubleshooting easier.”
Ford is referring to the concept called system of systems — a collection of systems that together create more functionality. Every link must be operational or the enterprise fails. A key takeaway from the test for the team was the need for a centralized systems command to assist in resolving issues that occur. “Interoperability between aviation and ground assets is paramount as we strategically fight our future battles,” said Miranda Oden, technical deputy for life cycle engineering at the directorate.
Top Stories
INSIDERRF & Microwave Electronics
University of Rochester Lab Creates New 'Reddmatter' Superconductivity Material...
INSIDERElectronics & Computers
MIT Report Finds US Lead in Advanced Computing is Almost Gone - Mobility...
INSIDERAerospace
Airbus Starts Testing Autonomous Landing, Taxi Assistance on A350 DragonFly...
INSIDERSensors/Data Acquisition
Boeing to Develop Two New E-7 Variants for US Air Force - Mobility Engineering...
INSIDERAerospace
PAC-3 Missile Successfully Intercepts Cruise Missile Target - Mobility...
INSIDERUnmanned Systems
Air Force Pioneers the Future of Synthetic Jet Fuel - Mobility Engineering...
Webcasts
Sensors/Data Acquisition
Driver-Monitoring: A New Era for Advancements in Sensor Technology
Manufacturing & Prototyping
Tailoring Additive Manufacturing to Your Needs: Strategies for...
Automotive
How to Achieve Seamless Deployment of Level 3 Virtual ECUs for...
Photonics/Optics
Specifying Laser Modules for Optimized System Performance
Electronics & Computers
Leveraging Machine Learning in CAE to Reduce Prototype Simulation and Testing
Medical
Trending Stories
INSIDERElectronics & Computers
MIT Report Finds US Lead in Advanced Computing is Almost Gone