The introduction of new digital technology is likely to see the operational capability of Australia’s Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) increase substantially across the spectrum of close air support (CAS) operations.This will ensure interoperability with the ADF’s new air combat capability and Australia’s coalition partners.
Julian Kerr | Sydney
Currently, JTACs are selected from Air Force and within Army from special forces and artillery and are trained to coordinate CAS in support of operations.
Six-week JTAC courses are run twice a year by 4 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown and Major Ross Wehby, C Flight Commander and Chief Instructor at the JTAC School, says the course is likely to expand “by up to two weeks” over the next 12 months to meet the demands of a shift towards enhanced capability and technology.
This is linked in part to the introduction of the Rockwell Collins digital terminal control system (DTCS), 96 of which were ordered in 2012 at a cost of $63 million under Project Land 17 Phase 1B.
This followed an initial order two years earlier for 56 of the systems for use in Afghanistan.
The DTCS enables JTACs to identify and rapidly engage enemy targets with greater accuracy and lethality than previously with air, sea and land fire support through the use of precision targeting software and enhanced situational awareness capabilities.
"We're moving ahead very strongly in the warfare training and activities, enhancing the sharp end skills as much as we can."
The system itself comprises a lightweight, mission-configurable tablet PC, laser range finder, laser target designator, real-time video downlink receiver and manpack radio. Importantly, it includes a GPS receiver for secure and precise position information.
Each JTAC course consists of approximately 16 students - generally 12 army and four air force personnel. C Flight currently has three fulltime instructors but during a course this can surge to 12 or more, often with the inclusion of an international instructor.
“The training is costly so selection is competitive and there is generally an operational need for students to be on the course,” MAJ Wehby said to ADM. “A JTAC is an enhanced skill set where an individual who is coordinating fires can have a dramatic influence on the mission with their ability to shape the battlespace. JTACS are a high demand, low density asset.”
The courses run in four phases, the first two of which involve four weeks of classroom work, simulation, and “dry” flights using Hawk 127 lead-in fighters and PC-9/A trainers from RAAF Williamtown but no ordnance.
The students then move to RAAF Base Townsville for Exercise Black Dagger; two weeks of certification and application training involving live joint fires in a simulated operational environment.
During these two weeks the students coordinate CAS and other joint fires, including F/A-18 fighters and a battery of 155mm howitzers provided by 4 Regiment.
The final phase is focused on combat application, where the students are assessed on their ability to bring together all the skills and knowledge acquired over the course - interpreting a supported commander’s intent, integrating and coordinating assets for on-time, on-target and safe delivery of CAS, and deconflicting assets in the airspace.
Further complexity is sometimes added by the inclusion of Townsville-based Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters and simulated UAV and rotary wing traffic.
A JTAC target prosecution is called a control, with varying levels of complexity and requirements.
As explained by MAJ Wehby, Type One is where the JTAC can see both the aircraft and the target and maintains the highest level of coordination.
“It’s generally utilised in the event that the weapons are going to be delivered where there is an increased risk of fratricide or the JTAC wishes to have an increased level of control.
“In this case the JTAC will assess the attack geometry of the aircraft by making sure its wings are level and it is pointing at the target, then giving it clearance to release its weapon.
“This level of complexity can be increased markedly as the JTAC may be required to prosecute targets while in a troops-in-contact scenario. He might also be coordinating surface-to-surface or sea-to-surface fires.
“He might be trying to identify a landing zone for a medevac or resupply by rotary wing assets. The JTAC might also have to coordinate and deconflict his localised airspace when he has a range of assets on station”.
A Type Two control is less restrictive; a control where the JTAC will not be able to see an aircraft which is likely to be using laser-guided or GPS-guided munitions. The JTAC will issue a final attack heading putting the aircraft in the most appropriate area of the sky to deliver its ordnance.
Type Three is a clearance to operate against a target or targets at a given location within certain limitations as directed by the JTAC. These may involve time, location and/or weapon type.
Australian JTAC training is the only US-accredited course where graduates are regarded as combat-ready on its completion.
”Other countries run a 4-6 week JTAC course with a live fire activity on a range and then they assess the combat certification of those JTACs over the next six to 12 months.
“4 Squadron assesses its students in combat scenarios developed with the feedback we get from JTACs who have recently deployed with multiple assets, supporting a manoeuvre plan with the intention of utilising joint fires in order to meet the mission requirements,” MAJ Wehby explained to ADM.
Australia is one of 21 nations, mostly NATO-linked, which hold US JTAC training accreditation via a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Joint Fire Support Executive Steering Committee (JFS ESC), intended to ensure commonality in JTAC tactics, techniques and procedures.
“In multiple tours to Afghanistan I had no issues in coordinating with any aircraft or JTAC of any partner nation signatory to the JTAC MOA,” the Major said.
MAJ Wehby, who points out that Australia is also, uniquely, a signatory under the MOU with the US on Forward Air Controllers Airborne (FAC-A) and Joint Fires Observers.
The courses of each signatory nation are audited by the US-led JFS ESC every three years to assess their ongoing quality. Australia’s JTAC and FAC-A will be assessed in October this year.
To maintain their currency, course graduates are required to carry out a certain number of controls every six months. This is coordinated inside individual units via various exercises including training with the US Marine Corps detachment on rotation in Darwin.
Some Australian procedures are regarded with amusement by US auditors who, MAJ Wehby points out, may nevertheless find them useful when obliged to operate against a near-peer enemy or in an EW and/or GPS-denied environment.
The cost of currency will be reduced with the commissioning later this year of the latest generation Rockwell Collins Joint Fires Observer/JTAC simulator at the School of Artillery at Puckapunyal. This includes training room facilities, a 270-degree dome, high fidelity graphics and full simulation of sensors from the Firestorm integrated targeting system.