Land Force: Gearing up for the networked battle group | ADM March 2012
Tom Muir | Canberra
The Battle Group Command, Control and Communications (BGC3) project, awarded in early 2010 to Elbit Systems, brings together the two distinct Battle Management System (BMS) requirements of Land 75 and Land 125 (hence Land 200) together with their supporting communications system - the digital backbone - provided separately under JP2072 Battlefield Communications System (Land).
These projects are providing the physical capabilities of what will be the first fully networked battle group based on mounted and dismounted members of 6 RAR, a motorised infantry battalion equipped with Bushmaster IMVs and supported by other combined arms team units within 7 Bde.
Under current planning 7 RAR elements of Special Forces and RAAF Airfield Defence Guards will also be equipped with BMS, as will others in subsequent phases.
The BGC3 elements comprise BMS for dismounted operations (BMS-D) and for mounted operations (BMS-M), and an HQ/ Command Post variant (BMS-CP) suitable for both dismounted and mounted operations, and capable of running on reconfigured BCSS laptops.
The system also comprises a terrestrial-based encrypted Combat Radio System (CRS) and a Tactical Data Radio Systems (TDRS) to support BMS-generated data and existing voice services within the Battle Group.
The Dismounted BMS with associated communications bearer will provide team to sub-unit commanders with digital map-based situational awareness and pre-formatted message functionality.
The communications bearer will provide voice and data capability for enabling BMS and command radio
net connectivity.
The Mounted BMS will provide a common battlefield-operating picture to the vehicle fleets within the combined arms team, similar to (but with increased functionality) to the Dismounted BMS.
Interoperability between like battle management systems, either of ADF or allied forces, will be based on Variable Message Format (VMF).
Land 200 Tranche 1
A $330 million contract was awarded to Elbit Systems in March 2010 for the supply, integration, installation and support of the BGC3 system, comprising a BMS for soldiers, vehicle mounted commanders and HQ/Command Post staff. This work is to be performed over three years suggesting that Elbit would need to complete the integration task by early 2013. An initial operational capability (IOC) for the BGC3 was due in July 2011 with a full operational capability scheduled for April 2013.
The BGC3 is to be integrated into Bushmaster PMVs, M113AS4 APCs as well as G-Wagon, Unimog and Mack logistic vehicles and in June 2011 BAE Systems was awarded a $4.9 million contract to upgrade the vehicles (all 777) for the installation of the BGC3 system. The contract runs to January 2013.
Other BMS vehicle installations are likely to include those associated with Special Operations such as the Nary and the SOV-Cdo in the form of a Networked Special Operations Capability - Mounted (NSOC-M) for which Elbit will be responsible for systems integration, design and installation.
As ADM has previously noted, Elbit’s BGC3 solution is based on the TORCH C2 open architecture C4I system capable of integrating with existing systems, communications infrastructure, and sensors. According to Elbit the system offers optimised data collection and dissemination, faster response times, and a uniform collaborative operational picture - enabling faster and more qualitative decision making.
In addition to its combat networking capabilities, the system provides commanders and crewmen with simplified operational interfaces, enhanced situational awareness and data communication capabilities. Systems developed by Elbit for the BMS include the tactical computer, a readily transportable, lightweight tablet configuration for use across vehicle mounted and dismounted operations. The user interface includes eight programmable function keys, further enhancing customisation and flexibility.
Also included is the integral Tactical MapCore system, a combat situation awareness system with moving map 3D terrain analysis and mission planning package, designed for C4I systems. MapCore enables developers to rapidly create and integrate advanced geospatial visualisation capabilities – including powerful 3D functionality - into existing and new applications.
Elbit is also supplying the network management system controlling the BMS, which is based on Elbit's Tiger, an IP-based tactical internet system, combining HF and VHF CNR nets into a single tactical network. It both acts as a router and handles security issues for the data traffic.
Defence sees the major risk in the development of approved vehicle installation designs for the large number of platforms that the system is to be fitted to and the associated complex design approval process
Tranche 1 C2 contracts
In parallel with the BGC3 contract with Elbit Systems, Land 200’s Tranche 1 included a series of contracts with Harris Corporation and Raytheon Australia for the supply of radio systems as BMS bearers.
Harris has received orders for PRC-152(C) multiband handhelds, along with RF-300M Trimline Vehicular Adapters (TVA) for installation into a variety of Army vehicles including Bushmaster PMVs. In dismounted configuration the AN/PRC-152(C) will connect soldiers to the ADF’s battle management system and serve as hubs for other soldier-carried C4 devices. The contracts also included orders for PRC-117G wideband, PRC-117F multiband, and PRC-150(C) high-frequency (HF) manpack radios.
The vehicle adaptor is designed for use with the PRC-152 handheld and is ideal for installation in vehicles with tight spaces, or where large amplifiers are currently installed and additional space is desired.
The PRC-117F multiband manpack radio was the first radio to integrate multiple frequency bands and waveforms in a single device, making it possible for forces to use one radio instead of many to communicate across the military enterprise.
Its wideband successor, the PRC-117G provides situational awareness of the battlefield through wireless, high-bandwidth communications, enabling applications such as streaming video, simultaneous voice and data feeds, collaborative chat, and connectivity to secure networks. The 117G radios also has the ability to directly receive real time ROVER video feeds from a wide variety of tactical UAVs.
In January last year Raytheon Australia received a $69 million contract for the provision of more than 1,000 Enhanced Position Location Reporting System (EPLRS) and MicroLight radios and associated support. This acquisition provides the digital radio backbone of the Battlefield Command Support System currently in service and for the BMS under Land 200.
Raytheon then subcontracted Eylex Pty Ltd for the supply of communication ancillaries including soldier worn, vehicle and portable mast antennas, batteries, cabling etc and comprehensive integrated logistics support data for EPLRS and MicroLight radios.
EPLRS will be mounted primarily on Bushmaster PMVs and M113 armoured vehicles, while the handheld Microlite radios carried by soldiers in the field, giving them and their commanders instant information on their position along with high speed data communications.
Another radio in the offing?
In early trials aimed at an interim BMS solution, BCSS developer and then prime contractor Saab Systems, found that there were major challenges in bringing near realtime data down to the dismounted soldier—in this case probably the platoon commander or fire-team leader. It was anticipated that Land 125 would see information disseminated down to the individual soldier through the Personal Role Radio (PRR), a specialised niche in military communications.
The PRR’s defining characteristic is that it connects the individual horizontally within the section, a role some have dubbed the ‘section loudhailer’. However this won’t help to relay BMS data to the individual soldier, and it is now likely that the PRR will be replaced by the Harris 7800S Secure Personal Radio, designed to provide reliable voice, data and situational awareness communication at soldier level.
Features of this handheld radio include high-speed USB connectivity to other C4 devices, integrated GPS and simultaneous wideband voice and data. Slim of profile and weighing only 300 grams, the SPR is easily body-worn or used in-hand without overburdening the operator.
The Harris RF-7800S may be the last radio purchase under Land 200’s First Tranche.