USAF, Army team for sensor to shooter prototype
The US Army and the US Air Force (USAF) recently convened for a summit focused on applying and integrating open architecture technologies and approaches to enhance sensor to shooter speed, precision and agility on the battlefield.
The summit, held on 6 August, was the precursor to a sensor to shooter demonstration planned for spring 2019, which will prototype an open architecture, machine-to-machine capability to integrate targeting solutions generated from the USAF’s ISR platforms into army’s long-range precision fires to shorten the kill chain.
The event also allowed military, civilian, laboratory and academic representatives to share best practices in standards design, rapid prototyping and demonstration and government-industry partnerships. The USAF presented business models designed to keep pace with increasing threats, evolving mission requirements and the obsolescence of equipment.
The operational benefits of open architecture standards include a common interface, fewer data sharing challenges and increased decision speed. In spring 2019, the army and Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office will collaborate on a sensor-to-shooter operational assessment to show how air, ground and space sensors can be used to cue long-range precision fires. The demonstration will use open architecture standards to pass and translate data between multiple systems, expand the information available in the command post and enable commanders to adjust and prioritise resources much faster than current methods.
After leveraging the summit to compare various open architecture standards, capabilities and best practices, the two services will continue to identify ways to work together to integrate relevant technologies, conduct prototyping and experimentation and shape future requirements.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Refresh of Romanian army vehicles speeds up]()
Refresh of Romanian army vehicles speeds up
Romania received its first Cobra MkII 4×4 light tactical armoured vehicles, ordered Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) and VAMTAC light vehicles, and is set to invest billions-of-dollars in infantry fighting vehicles.
-
![Italy begins hunt for Puma replacement]()
Italy begins hunt for Puma replacement
The Italian Army operates Pumas in 6×6 and 4×4 configurations but the platforms are ageing and numbers have fallen with obsolescence also being an issue. Any replacement is likely to have a focus on the involvement of local industry.
-
![Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand]()
Orders roll in for VAMTAC tactical vehicles as first is delivered to New Zealand
The VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico or High Mobility Tactical Vehicle) 4×4 by Urovesa is in service with or has been ordered by eight countries, the most recent being Spain this month and Romania last month.
-
![Precision Strike Missile engine successfully tested from M270A2 launcher]()
Precision Strike Missile engine successfully tested from M270A2 launcher
Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a next-generation surface-to-surface missile with the solid rocket motor (SRM) provided by Northrop Grumman. The company is working to boost its SRM production capability.
-
![CV90 user group signs agreement to improve procurement and commonality]()
CV90 user group signs agreement to improve procurement and commonality
The CV90 is in service with or ordered by ten countries. The agreement between six of these countries is designed to create commonality to provide economies of scale and a reduced training burden.
