Armor, July-August 1994 Edition

56 Pages·2011·4.95 MB·English

While reading a fascinating little book, Cavalry and gard to what was done at Mars-Ia-Tour or what was
Armor Heritage Series - Leadership, prepared some not done at St. Privat. In other words, if we expect to
years ago by the U.S. Armor Association, I found a make any real advancement, the officers, whose duty
thought-provoking passage written in July of 1888 by it is to look after the instruction and improvement of
Major E.V. Sumner, 5th Cavalry, Brevet Lieutenant the individual soldier, must be at their posts con
Colonel. His words, which I reproduce below, are as stantly for practical work; otherwise the magnificent
appropriate to the officer and noncommissioned offi theories set forth for our instruction will prove as use
cer today as they were 96 years ago when he less as an idle dream and our superiors, although
penned them. they may find us well up in the history of the past,
may meet with disaster in our not being able to grasp
There are as many opinions in regard to the proper and perform the simple duty required to meet a pre-
. . d th t' sent emergency. ...
way a f exercIsing com man as ere are men a gIVe <
commands. Some captains are best when left to ex- In peace and in garrison the officer has every ad-
ercise their own judgement in controlling their men, vantage, has no anxiety and no fear, the daily routine
while others in the same command have of his duty goes hand and hand with
to be followed up closely. Some, if the ~ . his comforts and amusements, but
responsibifity is thrown upon them, ViSit ;J; G imagine the feeling of a captain, who,
their troops and quarters frequently and ~ brought with this troop, suddenly in the
have a thorough knowledge of every- ~ II!!IIR presence of an enemy, with a desper-
thing pertaining to their commands, . ate duty to perform, having neglected
while others sign their morning reports in - his duty to his men, now feels a want of
bed at the hands of a servant, perhaps, confidence in them and they in him.
and seldom see their troops or only see them when Under like circumstances the officer who has been
compelled to do so, giving as an excuse for such ne- true to his subordinates now commands their respect
glect the opinion that men in quarters should not be and affection as well as full obedience, and has in
too often disturbed by the presence of the officer. that sufficient strength to enable him to engage the
Such an opinion is nothing less than a mere personal enemy with every confidence of success.
convenience to the officer who holds it, and such an The best and strongest of us require encourage-
officer not only makes a convenience of his troop but ment occasionally, and when it comes from a supe-
also compels the government to spend money in his rior it seems to have double weight. The soldier who
pay for which it gets a small return. ... It is fascinating never gets a pleasant word or receives the benefit of
in the extreme to read of the brilliant charges and a kind act from his captain will not be likely to do
maneuvers of large bodies of cavalry in the field, but more than he is compelled to do and will escape that
awfully stupid and annoying to come down to an in- if possible. Strict justice to all, kindness to those who
spection of Private So and So's underclothing. Still, it are trying to do well, firmness with those who try to
is important that the private have his clothing and it is do wrong, should be the rule.
essential that the captain know he has it, without re- - J.D. Brewer
By Order of the Secretary of the Army: Official:
~~~
GORDON R. SULLIVAN MILTON H. HAMILTON
General, United States Army Administrative Assistant to the
Chief of Staff Secretary of the Army
06674
The Professional Development Bulletin of the Armor Branch PB-17-94-4
Editor-in-Chief Features
MAJ J. D. BREWER
6 Vehicle Defense Today, Tomorrow, and Next Year
Managing Editor by Frank A. Briglia
JON T. CLEMENS 10 Light Enough to Get There. Heavy Enough to Win
by Colonel (Ret) Charles Lehner with General (Ret.) Glenn Otis,
Commandant Major General Ray Franklin (USMC, Ret.) and Mr. Gerald Lane
MG LARRY R. JORDAN 15 Fundamentals of Air-Ground Integration in Division Cavalry Operations
by Captain John L Gifford
ARMOR (ISSN 0004-2420) is published 20 SCOUT SNIPERS: One Shot, One Kill
bimonthly by the U.S. Army Armor Center, 4401 by First Lieutenant Eric J. Teegerstrom
Vine Grove Road, Fort Knox, KY 40121-
22 Is Your Battle Staff as Blind as the Six Men of Indostan?
Disclaimer: The information contained in by Major Michael C. Cloy
ARMOR represents the professional opinions of
26 The Tank Mine Clearing Blade: Eagle or Albatross?
the authors and does not necessarily reflect the
by Captain John 1. Ryan, Captain P. Kevin Dixon, and
official Army or TRADOC position, nor does it Sergeant First Class James L Richardson
change or supersede any information presented
31 Developing Tank Crew Collective Tasks
in other official Army publications.
by Sergeant First Class John M. Duezabou
Official distribution is limited to one copy for
each armored brigade headquarters, armored 36 Improving After-Action Reviews with a Tactical Briefing Package
by Sergeant First Class David D. Dunham and Captain Frank V. Sherman
cavalry regiment headquarters, armor battalion
headquarters, armored cavalry squadron head 38 The Decisive Point
quarters, reconnaissance squadron head by Captain David J. Lemelin
quarters, armored cavalry troop, armor company,
40 Combat Vehicle Command and Control
and motorized brigade headquarters of the
by Captain Derek C. Schneider
United States Army. In addition, Army libraries,
Army and DOD schools, HQ DA and MACOM 43 Leader Development - Don't Forget CSS
staff agencies with responsibility for armored, by Lieutenant Colonel Murray Williams
direct fire, ground combat systems, 44 Setting the Stage for Success
organizations, and the training of personnel for by Lieutenant Colonel G.C. Harris
such organizations may request two copies by
46 Under Armor Auxiliary Power Unit
sending a military letter to the editor-In-chief.
by Staff Sergeant Robert Bialczak and Lieutenant Colonel Jackie Hamilton
Authorized Content: ARMOR will print only
47 The TRADOC System Manager for the AGS Comments on
those materials for which the U.S. Army Armor
"The AGS in Low-Intensity Conflict" (Colonel Charles F. Moler)
Center has proponency. That proponency
includes: all armored, direct-fire ground combat 48 What Is a Tanker?
systems that do not serve primarily as infantry by Lieutenant Colonel Steve E. Dietrich
carriers; all weapons used exclusively in these
systems or by CMF 19-series enlisted soldiers; Departments
any miscellaneous items of equipment which
armor and armored cavalry organizations use 2 Letters
exclusively; training for all SC 12A, 12B, and 2 Contacts 52 Books
12C officers and for all CMF-19-series enlisted 4 Commander's Hatch Back AGS Rollout
soldiers; and information concerning the training, 5 Driver's Seat Cover
logistics, history, and leadership of armor and
armored cavalry units at the brigade/regiment
level and below, to include Threat units at those ATTENTION FREE DISTRIBUTION APO ADDRESSEES: Please send your new address
and unit number to ARMOR. ATTN: ATZK-PTD (Ms, Hager). Ft. Knox, KY 40121-5210. Be
levels.
sure to include your current mailing label.
Material may be reprinted, provided credit is
given to ARMOR and to the author, except Second-class official mail postage paid at Fort Knox, KY, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster:
Send address changes to Editor, ARMOR, ATTN: ATZK-PTD, Fort Knox, KY 40121-5210.
where copyright is indicated.
Distribution Restriction: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
em USPS 467-970
July-August 1994, Vol. No.4
11 th P~nzers Did Not the regimental headquarters in the town. On the afternoon of 31 August, elements
Always Win the Fight When F Co. was surrounded ... To Gis who of the 11th Panzer overran the consider
ran afoul of the 'Ghost Division,' it was no ably outnumbered F Co., capturing many of
'Champagne Campaign.' " its soldiers, although subsequently 30 of
Dear Sir: On 31 August-1 September 1944, I was the captured returned, bringing with them
the commanding officer of the 1s t Battalion, as PWs their former guards from the 11th
The March-April 1994 issue of ARMOR 179th Infantry Regiment. Minus two rifle Panzer.
contains an article by Dr. A. Harding Ganz companies, Band C, we occupied Mexi On 1 September around 0900, the Kampf
entitled ''The 11th Panzers in the Defense, mieux on the afternoon of the 31 st, reliev gruppe attacked Meximieux from the north
1944." On page 29 of the magazine, there ing the 2d Battalion which proceeded north east and the south. We succeeded in re
is a paragraph of the article which states: to Chalamont. The regimental headquarters pelling these attacks, but at midday, we ob
"Another attempt came when the U.S. 45th remained in Meximieux with the forward CP served six German tanks each carrying
Infantry Division cut a highway northeast of moving north with the 2d Battalion. F Co. some infantry soldiers approaching the
Lyon on 31 August at Meximieux. The next was not in Meximieux as implied by the ar town from the southwest. I had two tank
day, a 111th Kampfgruppe charged through ticle, but on its own manning a roadblock destroyers attached to my battalion and
a roadblock of the 179th Infantry and into midway between Dagneux and Meximieux. had stationed them back-to-back in the
(Note: Fort Knox Defense Switch Network (DSN)
DIRECTORY - Points of Contact prefix is 464. Commercial prefix is Area Code 502-
624-XXXX).
ARMOR Editorial Offices US. ARMY ARMOR SCHOOL
Editor-in-Chief Commandant (ATZK-CG)
Major 1. D. Brewer 2249 MG Larry R. Jordan 2121
Managing Editor
Assistant Commandant (ATSB-AC)
Jon T. Clemens 2249
BG Lon E. Maggart 7555
Editorial Assistant
Vivian Thompson 2610 Chief of StatT, Armor School (ATSB-DAS)
Production Assistant COL John C. Johnston 1050
Mary Hager 2610
Command Sergeant Major
StatT Illustrator
Mr. Jody Harmon 2610 CSM Ronnie W. Davis 4952
Armor School Sergeant Major
MAILING ADDRESS: ARMOR: ATTN: ATZK-PTD, Fort CSM Henry F. Hurley 5405
Knox, KY 40121-5210.
16th Cavalry Regiment (ATSB-SBZ)
COL Don Elder 7848
ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS: To improve speed and accuracy
in editing, manuscripts should be originals or clear copies, either typed 1st Armor Training Brigade (ATSB-BAZ)
or printed out double-spaced in near-letter-quality printer mode. We COL Henry Hodge 6843
also accept stories on 3h or 5lf4-inch floppy disks in MultiMate, Word
'
Star, Microsoft WORD. WordPerfect, Ami Pro, XyWrite. Microsoft Directorate of Combat Developments (ATZK-CD)
Word for Windows. and ASCII (please include a double-spaced print COL Edward A. Bryla 5050
out). Please tape captions to any illustrations submitted.
NCO Academy (ATZK-NC)
PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS/ST. GEORGE-ST. JOAN CSM Stephen R. Morgan 5150
AW ARDS: Report delivery problems or changes of address to Con
Reserve Component Spt Div (ATZK-PTE)
nie Bright or Tonya Mitchell, P.O. Box 607. FI. Knox. KY 40121 or
LTC Bennett J. Mott 5953
call [phone]. FAX [phone].
TRADOC System Manager
UNIT DISTRIBUTION: Report delivery problems or changes for Armored Gun System (ATZK-TS)
of address to Mary Hager, DSN 464-2610; commercial: (502) 624- COL Charles F. Moler 7955
2610. Requests to be added to the free distribution list should be in the
, form of a letter to the Editor-in-Chief. Mounted Warfighting Battlespace Lab (ATZK-MW)
COL G. Patrick Ritter 2139
ARMOR HOTLINE - DSN 464-TANK
Office of the Chief of Armor (ATZK-AR)
(The Armor Hotline is a 24-hour service to provide assistance with
questions concerning doctrine, training, organizations. and equipment of COL Gary Krueger 7809
the Armor Force.) FAX -7585
2 ARMOR - July-August 1994
center of town at the main road junction tlefield. The Army Times' "Desert Trails," our signal. Once we've been targeted, we
prepared to deal with an enemy armor the Washington Post article "In the Elec need to know that they know we're there.
penetration from any direction or to move tronic Battlefield ...... and Armor's ''The Jour So. what do we need? A sensor system
to a specified point on the perimeter of ney to Force XXI..." each talk of how digital that triggers an IFF emitter and an internal
town, as needed. technology will come to dominate the bat alert signal that is set off by (a) a radio sig
tlefield in the next few years. Each speak
The six German tanks did indeed pene nal. (b) a pulsed laser from a rangefinder,
trate. Our soldiers took care of most of the of the ease our soldiers will be able to use and (c) a steady beam from a target deSig
enemy riflemen riding on the tanks as the these new enhancements to our ability to nator.
wage war. To all this digital hype I say, cow
tanks swept into town. But as they ap droppings. If soldiers equipped with 1960's And if we were really smart, we'd inte
proached the center of town, the TDs grate the MILES system sensors into this
technology can defeat similar soldiers with
knocked out the first three tanks, one of 1990's technology, what could be going on system. This would eliminate the straps
which careened into the lobby of the Hotel to make the difference? In a word - train and Velcro and wiring harness. Instead,
Lion d'Or. Two of the remaining three tanks we'd use the sensors mounted on the hull,
ing. The OPFOR soldier gets more training
rushed by the TDs; one was knocked out in how to fight in a month than the typical turret, and turret roof as inputs to the
by bazooka fire and the other took a direct MILES system during training.
hit on top of the turret from an 81-mm mor soldier gets in four. The lesson is training
one's soldiers to be the best is what Can we do this? I firmly believe the Ar
tar round fired by D Co. It set off the ammo
in the tank. The sixth tank withdrew from counts. Our Army has learned this lesson mor Center can develop this type of system
many times. but it seems that we are al and have it fielded as a work order modifi
town.
ready trying to substitute technology for cation in less than two years using off-the
We identified four to six additional tanks, good, arduous training. shelf components. (Look at the Army-devel- ,
but they remained outside of town and our COL Lamar's comments about the ability oped FOG-M system!) We're Armor. We
artillery damaged three of them. Sporadic can do it.
of the 3d Brigade to get better are very
fighting around the perimeter continued un
true. However, they would not be around to
til nightfall when the Kampfgruppe began to
learn the lessons because they would be
withdraw from the area. By daylight the 1SG GALEN D. HECHT
next morning, Meximieux was again secure dead in the first battle - a situation we in A Co, 31185 Armor
the Army have vowed would never happen
and the Kampfgruppe had failed in its mis 40th ID (M), CAARNG
again. The digital battlefield is coming. but
sion to drive us back from our position
holding the road on the flank of the retreat it must not be at the price of training.
ing 19th German Army and enabling our Crisis-Deployable
forces to race north, maintaining pressure WILLIAM R. CRONK Combined Arms Teams
on them. \
Springfield, Va.
We had a total of 11 casualties while the Dear Sir:
Kampfgruppe suffered 85 known dead and
many more wounded. We also took 41
PWs. The Kampfgruppe lost six tanks, 10 MILES Sensors for IFF Warning? Your editorial in the January-February
other armored vehicles. destroyed or dam 1994 ARMOR struck a responsive chord in
aged by our artillery and abandoned, and my mind. Like most of us, I've been won
four mortars and four machine guns cap Dear Sir: dering what the future holds for the armor
tured. All of this was accomplished by a community. As my article, "Independent
battalion minus two rifle companies. a cou I'd like to address a subject that I haven't Operations" (Sep-Oct 93 issue). brought
ple of TDs. the clerks, cooks. and drivers of seen discussed since the Gulf War - the out, we're going to be split into small units
regimental headquarters. and our support area of fratricide. I want to share an idea for future problems. American deployments
ing artillery. An important element in the that should help minimize fratricide. to Somalia and now, apparently Bosnia,
successful defense of Meximieux was a There has been a lot of discussion in and possibly Central Africa, have created a
group of about 150 French Forces of the other defense journals and magazines need for us to be able to move a light ar
Interior (FFI) that joined with us in the fight about using a radio frequency-based IFF mored force ... quickly. In the present politi
and performed superbly. It was not a system on armored vehicles. It may be a cal climate. we can't expect guidance from
"Champagne Campaign" during those 24 viable option, but it's not where the main on high, nor can we expect any increase in
hours. but we did prevail. effort should be. funding for new weapons.
The 11th Panzer Division was certainly an Every military in the world has laser The old iron rule is: ''You go with· what
outstanding division and performed with rangefinders ("Tank Warfare Balkan Style," you've got." In the absence of a coherent
distinction in the Southern France cam Sep-Oct 93). The IFF should be triggered foreign policy, we're going to have to cre
paign. but it did not always win the fight as by a laser pulse. In addition to the IFF out ate, with the forces on hand. a feasible in
we proved at Meximieux. put signal. there should be an audible tone strument of foreign policy to fight the hand
of whoever decides to use it. We are going
in the CVC helmet and turret to let you
to have to be, like modern antiarmor war
know you've just been lazed. (Most antiar
MICHAEL S. DAVISON heads, self-forging weapons. America's two
mor helos use laser rangerfinders.) If I
GEN. USA. Retired primary needs in the world are fuel and
know I've been lazed. I can take evasive
Arlington, Va. minerals, and we must focus on protecting
action (stop, move, turn, or give an alert).
them - as well as on humanitarian mis
There are more laser target designators sions and "peacemaking."
Technology Is No Substitute coming into use everyday. If someone lays
To quote Leonid Brezhnev while talking
For Training a laser deSignator on you (constant beam), with Siad Barre of Somalia: "We are after
you should hear a different tone in the CVC
the energy treasure house of the Mideast
and turret, and the IFF would also be trig
Dear Sir: gered. Again, this would allow you to take and the mineral treasure house of Central
and Southern Africa." Whether the threat is
some type of evasive action. This signal
In the space of a few days, I have read should be monitored by incoming fighter
three very current articles on the digital bat- bombers, and they need to acknowledge Continued on Page 50
ARMOR - July-August 1994 3
MG Larry R. Jordan
Commanding General
U.S. Army Armor Center
Innovation and Change:
OIPPo,rtunities for Progress
In a previous colwnn, I discussed the mounted combined arms team. In tie space, mounted or dismounted, that
the issue of branch proponency and essence, he becomes the proponent for applies to the student. One option
the relationship of Annor to the the Battle Dynamic of Mounted Battle might involve branch specific and
mounted combined arms team. The Space, just as the Director of the Dis technical training at respective centers
modem Annor Force was born as a mounted Battlespace Battle Lab acts and schools, followed by a joint com
combined arms formation, with the ar as proponent for that portion of the bined arms portion for combat, com
mored divisions being composed of a battlefield falling under his Battle Dy bat support, and combat service sup
"balanced team of combat arms and namic. port officers at one or more locations.
service units all of equal importance Recent advances in Distributed Inter
and equal prestige." Early pioneers Translating into practice the distinc active Simulation, video teleconfer
saw compatibility and complementar tion between Branch and Battle Lab! encing, and Distributed Training open
ity among branches and the concept Battle Dynamic responsibilities could vast possibilities in terms of providing
of combined arms. The War Depart result in novel and productive ap students much greater access to sub
ment directive that established the Ar proaches to combined arms training ject matter experts, various training
mored Force on 10 July 1940 in within the TRADOC school system. resources, and diverse interactive
cluded among the duties of MG Chaf The established courses that provide training opportunities.
fee, first Chief of the Annored Force, initial entry training - officer basic
"the development of tactical and train course and one station unit training - A combined arms, Maneuver Officer
ing doctrine for all units of the Ar are well conceived and properly sited Advance Course should only be estab
mored Force" and " ... development under the branch proponent. On the lished if the training challenges for
and procurement of all special trans other hand, training in advanced, Force XXI can be better addressed.
portation, armament, and equipment combined arms warfighting for com Change for its own sake is unproduc
used primarily by armored units." The pany grade commanders, officer ad tive and disruptive. However, we
charter is remarkably similar to the vance course, may better reside under should never back away from needed
one issued the Mounted Warfighting the oversight of the proponent for the reform simply because the undertak
Battlespace Lab (MWBL) to "identify respective Battle Dynamic. In their ing is difficult or runs counter to prac
the needs of the Mounted Combined role as BattIe Dynamic integrators, tice and tradition.
AIms Team, aggressively seek out so CG, Annor Center and CG, Infantry
lutions from across the community Center can work all relevant issues As we work to build and train Force
(warfighters, combat developers, ma across Doctrine, Training, Leader De XXI, the Anny of the 21st Century,
teriel developers, trainers), and pro velopment, Organization, Materiel, we must be bold, flexible, and adap
vide results which will ensure success and Soldiers as they apply to forming tive in our approach to solving train
in combat to future combined arms and fighting the combined arms team. ing, organizational, and doctrinal
operations." The involvement of students repre problems. Our predecessors who
senting the other Battlefield Operating shaped the Annored Force that fought
Systems and Battle Dynamics further and won the Second World War were
While the Director, MWBL does not enrich the experience and enhance the faced with similar challenges and op
assume all of the traditional propo focus on combined arms application. portunities. They made bold, yet nec
nency roles - personnel, individual This notion might form the framework essary and correct choices in their
training and professional develop for a restructured officer advanced time. Now is our time to make the
ment, doctrine, materiel requirements course for maneuver commanders that necessary decisions to prepare our
and development, tradition and esprit both trains a combined arms applica Army and the Mounted Force for the
- he does serve as the integrator for tion and focuses on the particular bat- next century.
4 ARMOR - July-August 1994
CSM Ronnie W. Davis
Command Sergeant Major
U.S. Army Armor Center
Promotion Potential
For Master Gunners
Master Gunner. The name itself con and expertise to work with soldiers of assignments at the expense of their
jures up a wide range of images of any level - from the new private ar leadership time. Most soldiers realize
what a master gunner is or should be riving in the unit to a corps com that leadership time is critical for pro
- each unique to the soldiers that mander. motion to the next higher grade. Addi
have worked with one. Whatever the Even with the prestige afforded a tionally, soldiers have heard how de
opinion, the master gunner is a vital master gunner, many units across the manding and difficult the master gun
element to the Armor Force. He is the Army are still having a difficult time ner course is, and are reluctant to vol
commander's advisor on tank combat convincing their noncommissioned of unteer to attend. Many 'potential'
tables and assists in the planning, de ficers that becoming a master gunner master gunners believe that the possi
velopment, and conduct of the unit's is career-enhancing. Many NCOs bility of course failure may jeopardize
combat tables program. The master have seen some very successful mas their chances for promotion. These are
gunner has the technical knowledge ter gunners relegated to repeated staff inaccurate perceptions.
The Personnel Proponency Division,
Office of the Chief of Armor, devel
ops the information packet that con
CY94 Master Sergeant tains the Armor promotion criteria
used by the promotion board panel
Selection Rates members. Throughout the packet,
master gunner status is identified as a
promotion discriminator and improves
%
the soldier's chances of being pro
40 moted. The master gunner is consid
ered "exceptionally qualified." Also, it
3S
states that academic failure of the
30 Master Gunner Course should not be
used as a reason to deny promotion.
2S
I_MG But, many successful master gunners
20 MG do not get promoted. Repeated master
!!IJII NON gunner assignments, no matter how
15
outstanding the performance, will not
10 ensure promotion. Commanders must
be sensitive to the need for master
5 gunners to rotate into key leadership
o positions. Key leadership assignments
PZ TOT SZ TOT are critical for promotion (18-24
months minimum). Demonstrated ex
-4----19K -..
cellence as a tank commander (for
Figure 1 Continued on Page 49
ARMOR - July-August 1994 5
Vehicle Defense Today,
Tomorrow, and Next Year
by Frank A. Briglia
Rapid deployability is dictating maxuruze the effective thickness of sive approach - armor - have, how
smaller, lighter future armored vehi armor), or using advanced technology ever, resulted in very heavy armored
cles. This need for quick movement to armors. All of these solutions were vehicles. The MIAI main battle tank
a potential battle area means the generally successful, but the penalties weighs well over 60 tons and the
Army's approach for armored vehicles were increased size, weight, and cost. MIA2 main battle tank approaches 70
needs to include improved lethality tons. The size and weight of U.S. ar
Today's armor uses exotic steels,
and surVivability systems. This im mored vehicles now limits the Army's
steel laminates, composites, and ce
proved vehicle survivability will not ability to rapidly transport and deploy
ramics which have proven to be very
be achieved by armor alone, due to armored systems to conflict areas, yet
effective against current threats. A
the size and weight penalties associ rapid deployment is the key to the
good example of the effectiveness of
ated with armor. New techniques such Army's new global preparedness and
current armor is the MIAl tank's per
as the Vehicle Integrated Defense Sys fighting philosophy.
formance in the Gulf War. The
tem (VmS) will be used.
M IAI's armor stopped Iraq's antitank VIDS appears to be a solution to this
In the past, as weaponry's lethality weaponry from penetrating into the problem of increasing vehicle weight.
increased, vehicles' protection levels crew compartment nearly every time. In simple terms, vms consists of
increased by several means: thicker three parts: threat warning systems,
steel, adding reactive armor on top of Advancements in the lethality of countermeasures, and signal process
armor, changing vehicle designs (to threat systems and our current defen- ing and decision-making algorithms.
IR SeiN-AuIoInaic Command To line or S91t
.", Missile Countermeasure
C_ Protection System
~~~~~_-- (l<IserSystem)
Acoustic
&
Millimeter Wave!
Laser Missile Countenneasun
(One or Six Sets)
Counter-mine System
Figure 1. In developing lighter, faster, and more lethal armored systems, such as the Block III main battle tank, the Army has developed
VIDS to help these systems meet their survivability goals.
6 ARMOR - July-August 1994
Together they provide improved sur essing algorithms to detect missile Millimeter wave detection systems
vivability against current and future launches and approaching missiles. have been developed for use on ar
weaponry. The benefit of VIDS over The system is composed of four re mored vehicles to warn crews when
armor is that survivability is increased ceiver units (mounted around the out their vehicle is being illuminated by
without significantly increasing vehi side of an aircraft) and a signal proc threat millimeter wave radar systems.
cle weight. essing and interface unit. Each re These millimeter wave detection sys
ceiver unit contains spectraJ filters and tems use one or more antennas (de
The U.S. Government. especiaJly the
a photomultiplier tube that provides pending on the importance of threat
Tank Automotive Command's Re
sensitivity to energy radiated from direction data and redundancy of
search, Development and Engineering
missile launch and missile motor ex hardware) to receive millimeter wave
Center. has been investigating and de
haust signatures. Each receiver unit radiation and electronics units to proc
veloping VIDS and its related tech
aJso contains electronics that condi ess acquired data and interface to the
nologies since the early 1980s. The
tion, process, and format the signaJs host vehicle's electronics. These sys
work began by adapting advanced
generated by received energy and in tems will detect some smart munitions
survivability concepts and approaches
terfaces the receiver to the central as well as radar target acquisition sys
for aircraft. The Government had de
processor. Each receiver unit has a tems.
veloped aircraft threat warning and
fixed azimuth and elevation field of
countermeasure systems because air Acoustic warning systems and NBC
view and, when combined with the
craft were vulnerable. threats were be detection subsystems have also been
other receiver units of the system,
coming more lethal, pilots were being developed and tested. Acoustic sys
provides 360 degrees of azimuth cov
killed, and missions were not being tems provide non-Iine-of-sight and
erage and a large elevation threat
completed. The Army evolved these line-of-sight detection, classification.
warning coverage. The primary signaJ
concepts to address the unique threats and identification of airborne and
processing and aircraft interfacing
to armored vehicles. ground vehicles to ranges exceeding
electronics are provided in the central
those of many of the ground vehicle
Aircraft warning systems, such as processing unit, which determines the
threats' weapon systems. These acous
missile and laser warning systems, presence of a missile threat from data
tic systems use four or more micro
and countermeasures such as flares, provided by the receiver units and in
phones to receive threat acoustic sig
chaff, and radar jarnmers have proven terfaces the warning system to the air
natures and severaJ microphones to
effective in suppressing aircraft craft electronics.
acquire acoustic signatures of the host
threats. Two aircraft systems the Gov
As a start to developing threat warn vehicle to filter out vehicle self-gener
ernment is considering for ground ve
ing capabilities for armored vehicles, ated signatures. A signal processing
hicles application are the AN/AVR2
the Army considered applying the and interface electronics unit is used
Laser Detection Set by Hughes Dan
AN/AVR2 and AN/AAR-47 systems to process all of the received acoustic
bury OpticaJ Systems and the ANI
to ground vehicles. This was done be data and to interface to the host vehi
AAR-47 Missile Warning System built
cause laser range finders and antitank cle's electronics.
by LORAL.
guided missiles constitute major
ConceptuaJ NBC warning systems
The AN/AVR2 system is composed threats to armored vehicles. Results of
have the capability to detect local nu
of several laser energy receiver units similar systems application in initial
clear and biological threats, and
(mounted around the outside of an air field tests have shown that laser warn
chemical threats both locally and at
craft) and a signal processing and in ing systems like the AN/AVR2 do
some standoff range. To date only the
terface unit. Each receiver unit con provide increased survival capability
ANNDR-2 Radiation Detection Indi
tains multiple detectors that provide against laser-based threats.
cator and Computer (RADIAC) nu
sensitivity to current laser-based threats.
Other systems posing threats to clear radiation detection device and
These receiver units also contain sig
ground vehicles include helicopter the XM22 Automatic Chemical Agent
naJ processing electronics that condi
based weapon systems; radar and Detector Alarm (ACADA) local chemi
tion and process the signals generated
electro-opticaJ target acquisition sys cal vapor detection device have been
by received laser energy. Each re
tems; nuclear, biological, and chemi developed and tested significantly.
ceiver unit has a fixed azimuth and
cal (NBC) threats; mines; and semi Several concepts have been assessed
elevation field of view and, when
automatic command to line-of-sight for standoff range chemical vapor de
combined with the other receiver units
missiles. To counter these threats, tection and biological toxins detection,
of the system, provides 360-degree
hardware has been developed that but hardware has not yet achieved ac
azimuth coverage and a large eleva
uses advanced technology and signal ceptable performance.
tion threat warning coverage. Addi
processing techniques. Systems devel
tional signal processing and interfac
oped so far include millimeter wave, The best RF januners are sophisti
ing are provided in an electronics unit.
acoustic, and NBC warning systems cated RF transmitting systems. These
The electronics unit processes the data
and RF januners, smokes, flares, systems generate and transmit appro
provided by the receiver units, deter
chaff. counterrnine devices. laser priate RF frequencies at power levels
mines if a laser threat is present, and
based countermeasure devices, and sufficient to enter smart munitions
ties the warning system to the aircraft
missile countermeasure devices. Sys both directly and indirectly. Once the
electronics.
tems like these must, however. be in RF energy is inside the munition, it
The AN/AAR-47 system is a passive tegrated to provide total combat vehi interacts with the munition's internaJ
electro-optical system that uses tem cle protection. This is the philosophy electronics, causing guidance signaJ
poral pattern recognition signal proc- behind VIDS. disruption. electronics burnout, and/or
ARMOR - July-August 1994 7
warhead fuze detonation. RF jammers
for armored ground systems typically
radiate in a specific direction rather
than omni-directionally. This mini
mizes the input power required and
keeps the jammers from damaging or
jamming friendly systems.
Both Government and industry have
developed smokes that absorb or block
energy in the visible, infrared, and the
millimeter wave bands. Smokes de
veloped so far are predominantly ef
fective in only one spectral band (vis
ible, infrared, or millimeter wave), but OPTIONS:
in most cases provide some suppres -MOBILITY/AGILITY
sion capability in at least one other -BUTTON UP
-ACTIVATE ECS
band. AU of the armored systems
-HIDE
smokes are dispensed by either gre
-COUNTERFIRE
nade launching systems (rapid obscu -COUNTERMEASURE
ration) or a smoke generating system
(obscuration reinforcement). The gre
Figure 2. A revolutionary system called the Vehicle Integrated Defense System (VIDS) is
nade dispensing system is used when
emerging as an alternative to increased armor for improving the survivability of combined
rapid smoke generation is needed (less arms vehicles. It is a system of electronic and electro-optic threat waming subsystems and
than 3 seconds) while the smoke gen countermeasures that automatically, semi-automatically, or manually determines threaten
eration system is used when sustained ing circumstances and initiates appropriate countermeasures.
smoke generation (up to 10 minutes)
is needed. Some Government person
nel are also examining flares, chaff, The Army is developing two laser Missile countermeasure devices are
and similar systems for ground vehi based devices to counter the perform effective against infrared semi-auto
cles. Teledyne Brown Engineering is ance of missile guidance and control matic command-to-line-of-sight mis
now maturing the obscuration rein units: the Combat Protection System siles. These are missiles guided by a
forcement system on the Armored and a False Target Generator. The control unit that moves the missile to
Systems Modernization program. Combat Protection System is an opti the gunner's aim point by tracking an
cal target acquisition and tracking sys infrared beacon at the rear of the mis
tem countermeasure; it uses a laser to sile. The missile countermeasure de
Countennine systems exist which
search for, acquire, track, and sup vice emits an infrared signature like
detonate mines in front of vehicles.
press a threat's optical and electro-op that of the missile's beacon but with
Several types of countermine systems
could be part of vms, including ex tical sights. Once a threat has been lo greater intensity. This missile counter
cated, significant laser energy is trans measure is mounted on top of a vehi
plosive systems, electromagnetic pulse
mitted to the threat sight. The laser cle, and, as the missile gets close to
generation systems, and electromag
energy is collected by the threat the vehicle, the countermeasure's sig
netic field generation systems. The
sight's optics and delivered to the op nature captures the missile's tracker
first system delivers explosive mate
erator's eye; in the case of a direct within the missile control unit. Be
rial on or over a portion of the mine
view optical sight, or to the focal cause the countermeasure is above the
field. When the explosive material is
plane of an electro-optical sight. The center of the vehicle (the center point
in p}ace, it is detonated, creating suffi
energy delivered temporarily flash of a vehicle being the normal aim
cient pressure On the mines to deto
blinds or permanent! y damages the point of an infrared semi-automatic
nate them. The electromagnetic pulse
operator's eye or the electro-optical command-to-line-of-sight missile) the
generation systems generate a high
system's detector. The threat sight can missile's control system believes the
energy pulse, which is directed toward
be repeatedly illuminated by the laser missile is flying too high and com
the minefield. Energy from the pulse
system to ensure effectiveness. mands the missile to fly down. This
interacts with the fuze in the mines
continues until the missile flies into
and causes mine detonation. The elec The False Target Generator, a laser
the ground.
tmmagnetic field generator system, countermeasure system applicable
known as the vehicle magnetic signa against missiles guided by laser desig Integrating these types of warning
~ure duplicator (VEMASID), gener nators, duplicates (or nearly so) the la and countenneasure devices into ar
ates a magnetic field in front of the ser designator's signal and places a mored vehicles will provide tomor
vehicle that dupHcates the magnetic decoy spot off of, but near the vehi row's vehicles the capability to
signature of a vehicle and detonates cle. The missile cannot distinguish the achieve future survivability require
magnetically fuzed mines a safe dis difference between the laser energy on ments. Tests of these systems alone
tance in front of the vehicle. Which of the vehicle and the decoy energy off have shown good performance, but
these subsystems is best is yet to be the vehicle; therefore, the missile flies TACOM is taking these systems one
determined, but the Army has several to the decoy spot or centroid of the step further toward vehicle survivabil
candidates. two spots and misses the vehicle. ity improvement. TACOM has con-
8 ARMOR - July-August 1994