Land Warfare: First networked battle group on its way | ADM October 2012

Defence reports that both training and the rollout of the individual soldier’s version of the Army’s new battle management system is progressing well, as is the installation of the mounted version into vehicles.

Back in March 2010, a $330 million contract was awarded to Elbit Systems Ltd (ESL) for the supply, integration, installation and support of the BGC3 system, comprising a Battle Management System (BMS) for soldiers, vehicle mounted commanders and HQ/Command Post staff.

This work was 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 being integrated into a range of protected, unprotected and armoured vehicles with BAE Systems contracted by ESL to upgrade vehicles for the installation of the BGC3 system. The contract runs to January 2013.

As ADM has previously noted, ESL’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 ESL the system offers optimized 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 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 IPbased 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.

The system provides situational awareness to all echelons from Bde HQ to the individual soldier, with its operation based on a communications backbone comprising various Harris and Raytheon’s EPLRS radios down to the soldiers’ Personal Role Radio (PRR).

Trials

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.

But the PRR’s defining characteristic is that it connects the individual horizontally within the section, a role some have dubbed the ‘section loudhailer’. But this does not relay BMS data to the individual soldier, who as we will see below must now carry a multiband handheld radio for data as well as a PRR and a BMS touchscreen or eyepiece. We may soon see the PRR replaced by another radio—the Harris 7800S Secure Personal Role Radio which is designed to provide reliable voice, data and situational awareness communication at soldier level.

BMS nodes

In the context of the Battle Group C3 system requirements the BMS is developed into a series of node types provisioned to units according to their role. At the lowest dismounted level is the BMS-D Light for section level and below comprising a single AN/PRC-152 (C) radio plus PRR and either BMS touchscreen or eyepiece.

Next is the BMS-D for dismounted Platoon HQ and above. This includes two radios (Raytheon EPLRS Microlite high bandwidth data radio and Harris AN/PRC-152 (C) multiband handheld) plus the existing PRR, Defence Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) and either one or both touchscreen (Elbit militarised Enhanced Tactical computer) and eyepiece. The eyepiece comprises a small screen, mouse controls and a rubber ‘shutter’ for night operations, which allows the screen to be viewed only when placed up against the eye.

The first mounted version, BMS-ML is the mounted logistics node, which consists of a single screen BMS, DAGR, EPLRS radio and an AN/PRC-152 radio in a vehicle amplifier. The mounted command post node BMS-CP-VM – Command Post Mounted for Company HQ and higher—has three screens and up to six radios for BMS and voice requirements (multiple AN/PRC-152 including one providing TACSAT; Harris PRC-150(C) HF manpack and DAGR.

Defence says the BMS-D rollout is not due to conclude until April 2013, the present rollout plan being synchronised with the current ‘Introduction into Service’ training being conducted in Brisbane.

While Army’s initial focus for the rollout is on the 7th Brigade, by mid-2013 BMS-D will be spread more widely across Army. This change to original plans has slowed the distribution of the BMS-Ds so that Army can analyse the future training priorities in 2013/14 for those systems not resident in the 7th Brigade.

Vehicle installation

BAE Systems has been engaged by Elbit Systems to undertake the vehicle modification and installation activities of the BGC3 into selected Army vehicles.

The initial focus of BMS installation into vehicles is with the Bushmaster PMV, G-Wagon, Unimog, Mack and the M113AS4 fleet. While the M113AS4 fleet has been moved into the next tranche, the current installations are progressing well.

Defence points out that the BMS is agnostic of trade functions and platform, thus PMVs used as recovery vehicles or as ambulances have as much of a requirement to be fitted with a BMS than a fighting vehicle, with situational awareness and the ability to command and control any force element, dismounted or otherwise, being critical to its survivability and successful completion of its task.

Installation into Bushmaster PMV is said to be almost complete with work well under way with the G-Wagon install (initial delivery from March 2013), Unimog install (under way now with initial delivery late 2012) and the Mack installation which is planned to commence in mid 2013. The next tranche of BMS is being considered for ASLAV, M1A1 and other Land 121 platforms with the timing, numbers and level of integration to be determined over the next 24 months.

Delays have been encountered from what was originally planned in late 2009, and this has not be unexpected for the technically challenging endeavour that forms the initial rollout of capability to digitise the Land Force.

Other vehicles

Other BMS vehicle installations are likely to include those associated with Special Operations Command such as the Nary and the SOV-Cdo in the form of a Networked Special Operations Capability - Mounted (NSOC-M). While ESL is involved in the design phases of the installation of BGC3 into Special Operations vehicles, it is not solely responsible for the systems integration, design and installation as these will be the subject of a future contract.While the 7th Brigade and SOC continue to be the focus of Army’s digitization efforts the RAAF Airfield Defence Guards are also heavily involved. The 7th Brigade’s operational tempo has been high, but it continues to cement the new BMS into the Brigade and has successfully completed an operational test and evaluation activity of a digitised motorised infantry company in March 2012.

A more important focus will be from now into 2014 and 2015, when Army will see the evolution of the 7th Brigade to become the first digitised Brigade, noting that some of the capabilities required to fully digitise the 7th Brigade are not planned to be delivered until 2017.