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Force Protection & Integrated Survivability - An Industrial Perspective

Colin Robinson

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Force Protection & Survivability

Definitions

"“The military term given to a range of measures designed to preserve the combat power of our own forces”

“All measures and means to minimize the vulnerability of personnel, facilities, equipment and operations to any threat and in all situations, to preserve freedom of action and the operational effectiveness of the force”

www.raf.mod.uk

NATO Glossary of Terms & Definitions, AAP-6(2007), dated 16/4/7

FP is all about maintaining operational effectiveness ………

Objectives

Force Protection is a means to an end

Provision of Force Protection increases the Probability of Survivability

The End (or Goal) is Mission Survivability …….. To preserve freedom of action and the operational effectiveness of the force……

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JDS, Vol 10, No 2

Integrated Survivability

Integrated (Mission) Survivability “the ability to complete a mission successfully in the face of a (man-

made) hostile environment” Considered in context of the operational mission and its implicit threats Essential to have a good understanding of the ORBAT of the adversary

as a precursor to optimising survivability

Vulnerability of any force element is a function of the protective methods used and the time spent exposed to the threat Protection requirements will vary according to needs Base/facilities, platforms/equipment, personnel/individual Must match demands of mission, threat and operating environment

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Force Protection – Current UOR Focus

Current focus of Force Protection is driven by current conflicts:Peace Enforcement / Peace SupportAfghanistan, Iraqurban, complex terrain; asymmetric conflicts; terrorist tacticsBiggest threat is IED

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Much wider than IED threats.

Open Combat & Warfighting still relevant

Force Protection – Overall Scope

Current focus of Force Protection is driven by current conflicts:Peace Enforcement / Peace SupportAfghanistan, Iraqurban, complex terrain; asymmetric conflicts; terrorist tacticsBiggest threat is IED

BUT, Force Protection - by definition - encompasses:

many threats many situations many locations

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Integrated Survivability

Autonomous Survivability (e.g. platform - centred) synergistic use of balanced, cost-effective protection technologies

e.g. for platforms - signature control, DAS, armour

Mission Level Survivability (system - centred) autonomous platform survivability collective survivability ensuring mission

shared situational awareness, NEC, TTPs grouping sensors with a variety of weapons and decision makers

Survivability traditionally adds weight or displaces capability novel technologies and techniques looking to break this link NEC brings opportunities to achieve improved system - level protection

System Engineering is the cornerstone of Integrated Survivability much more than just the physical integration of protection technologies

Mission level modularity – one size does not fit all ! All DLoD must be considered to achieve optimum solution

Future Protection

must strike theright balance

between platform- and

system-centred models

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Thales Recommended Approach

Sound Systems Engineering, Architecture and Integration philosophy should be core to solving the problem and developing optimised solutions

A systems level approach is required to embody urgent new (UOR) capabilities in a coherent and standardised way. High risk of incompatibility and conflicts between subsystems (eg Comms and

ESM) if ‘stove pipe measures’ are continually retrofitted (eg. ECM)

Thales has developed survivability optimisation and cost effectiveness models and toolsets

State of the Art Physics models, Synthetic Environment models, Modelling & Simulation, Operational Analysis toolsets, Computer Aided Design tools, WLC models, Multi-dimensional decision support tools

Industry can help the Customer to understand the Cost/Benefit tradespace

Systems approach key to developing

a layered protection system.

Thales has experience and knowledge across all layers

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Examples of Industry Support to Force Protection Example 1 – C4ISTAR Pre-Deployment Training & Mission Rehearsal

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C4ISTAR Capability Development

Evolving Threats in Complex Terrain, coupled with Network Enabled Capability (NEC) requirements, demands new approaches to joint and coalition operations and the execution of synchronised missions

C4ISTAR * is a major force multiplier but requires the latest technology and training to deliver optimum results

C4ISTAR Capability Development ensures:

Right Concepts of Use

(CONOPS, TTPs) Right Kit Right Readiness

Fewer Surprises

*Command, Control, Communication, Computation, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance

Force Assembly

Infrastructure

Equipment

Information

Logistics

Training

Tactics

ORBAT

Personnel

Operations

Operational Environment

Other Organisations

Pre-Deployment Evaluate, Train & Test

Operational Deployment

WarfareAnalyses

CapabilityAcquisition

Recovery & Lessons Learnt

SystemSpecifications

System Test&

Evaluation

Operational Planning

Training &Mission Rehearsal

CapabilityRequirements

Readiness Test

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Pre-Deployment Training and Mission Rehearsal

Thales has provided geographic-specific PDT & MR Services for UK Forces deploying on operations

3 (UK) Division

12 Mechanised Brigade

HQ FLEET

3 Commando Brigade

Future deployments

Real Systems, Personnel & MissionsThe Thales Service has assisted UK Forces to evaluate specific C4ISTAR Systems:

Mini/Tactical/Operational UAVs

EO/IR, SAR & GMTI*

Electronic Warfare Systems

Vehicle & Hand-held sensors

Command & Control Systems

SATCOM & Datalink Emulation

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Examples of Industry Support to Force Protection Example 2 – In-Theatre UAV Service Provision

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UK Watchkeeper Programme

Thales is the Prime Contractor for Watchkeeper – Europe’s

largest Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) programme

When deployed in 2010, Watchkeeper will provide UK Forces

with accurate, timely, Image Intelligence - 24 hrs a day

Operating in all environments, all

types of conflict from

peacekeeping to all arms warfare

Integrated with other surveillance,

intelligence, communications and

effects systems

Interoperable with coalition forces

Rapidly deployable

Sophisticated all-weather

sensors for detection,

tracking and identification

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Rapid Provision of Capability

Availability-based Service Provision Contract to

support current UK Operations

Rapid deployment of UAV-based ISTAR

capability

Six months from contract to first deployment in

theatre

“Power by the hour”

Flexible project duration to match operational

requirements

Tailored service provision:

Equipment supplied and supported in theatre

by contractor

Flexible training

Operational manpower supplied by the Customer

Level of Service

Guaranteed availability

Hours per day/days per week

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Challenges for Industry

Challenges

How to anticipate emerging requirements to focus investment decisions and to build timely supply chain relationships.

How to be responsive to Urgent Operational Requirements, yet deliver optimised “future proof” solutions.

How to deliver enhanced Force Protection capability without reducing operational effectiveness (eg. No increase in Size, Weight and Power, manpower, training burden etc.) ?

How to focus investments on critical sovereign capabilities whilst maintaining a viable export capability ?