Telecommunication subsystem ACS VS RF. US Ground Forces Automated Control Systems. Control Center for Strategic Nuclear Forces

28.06.2020

Colonel V. Masnoy;
Colonel Yu. Sudakov, Ph.D. technical sciences

With the deepening of the processes of informatization of society, the possibilities for improving the efficiency of management processes in various spheres of people's life have expanded. The military area is no exception. Moreover, the real need to reduce defense spending does not allow for a reduction in the combat capability of troops (forces). Therefore, the issues of increasing the effectiveness of command and control of combat formations in the leading Western states are currently given priority attention.
Another important factor in the intensification of control processes is the desire to achieve a comprehensive superiority over the enemy through preempting him in actions and making decisions. This approach is based on the need to achieve information superiority based on global and scalable situational awareness in real time. According to many American military experts, the formation of the forces of the 21st century should take place not on the basis of existing weapons systems, as at the present time, but primarily on the basis of information that allows commanders to fully realize their potential capabilities. Information about the current situation on the battlefield becomes the basis for the integration of various automated systems, which allows you to achieve maximum effect and make optimal decisions. Thus, Admiral A. Owen, former deputy chairman of the KNSh, identified three categories of technical innovations in such areas of military activity: reconnaissance and surveillance; control, communication and automation systems; precision weapon. According to him, these three innovations together will form a "system of systems", which is reflected in various concepts for building a promising military information infrastructure in the United States.
The most significant of them is the strategic concept "Coupling and functional integration of control systems, communications, computer science and intelligence for combatants "- C4I FTW (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence for the Warrior), developed in the US Department of Defense in the 90s of the last century. It was aimed at creating a single battlefield information space for all its participants by 2010. At the same time, C41 systems mean systems necessary for the technical support of the control process. The concept outlined the contours of the global information infrastructure of the XXI century, designed to meet the needs of the US Armed Forces in information processing and transportation, and consisting of a chain of computer-controlled networks that cover industry, media, government, military, private and other bodies and institutions.
Since the mid-1990s, the leadership of the US Armed Forces has sharply increased tendencies towards achieving real unity of the Armed Forces, as well as towards the widespread use of various operational formations. In 1996, the concept document of the US Chiefs of Staff Committee "Unified Perspective-2010" appeared. Its key attribute is information superiority, which provides the troops with new opportunities for conducting a highly organized and high-precision battle (combat), targeted rear support, dominant maneuver and comprehensive defense. The new version of the document - "Unified Perspective-2020", published in 2000, also indicated that the ongoing "information revolution" creates not only quantitative, but also qualitative changes in the information environment, which by 2020 will lead to huge changes in the conduct of military operations. The decision of the US Congress on the numerical reduction of the US Armed Forces has strengthened the requirements for information technology. Therefore, in the “Unified Perspective-2020”, the previously appeared concepts for the development of architectures for control and communication systems of the types of aircraft were clarified (SV - Enterprise, 1993; Navy - Copernicus, 1990; Air Force - Horizont, 1993).

The information infrastructure of the US Department of Defense is based on a set of various interconnected information systems of various levels of control, both vertically and horizontally, since the US Army will be used as part of the joint forces, consideration of the vertical control of various formations in the armed forces is of the greatest interest.
Thus, at the operational-strategic level, the central command and control system for troops (forces) is the global operational control system - GCCS (GCCS - Global Command Control System). According to the unified charter 0-2 of the US Armed Forces (“The activities of the joint bodies of the US Armed Forces”), the GSOU is a system that provides the means for operational management and administrative support US Armed Forces. Its equipment provides communication between the top military-political leadership, the joint headquarters of the KNSh with the headquarters of the types of the Armed Forces, the central subordination of the Ministry of Defense, the joint commands in the zones and functional commands, the commanders of the joint operational formations, large species and support formations. In coordination with it, a global GCSS (Global Command Support System) rear control system is being created. The specific components of the GCCS are the global command and control systems for the ground forces (GCCS-Appu), the Navy (GCCS-Maritime, formerly known as JMCIS - Joint Maritime Command Information System), the air force’s supporting ACS in the military operations zone TBMCS (Theater Battle Management Core System), and in in the future - an integrated ACS of the Air Force (code name IC2S - Integrated Command and Control System). The global intelligence information system GRIS (Global Reconnaissance Information System), the closed information infrastructure of the US intelligence community, and automated control systems of other departments are connected to it. GCCS officially entered service in August 1996 and continues to improve, gradually replacing the outdated WWMCCS system. In contrast, GCCS will be partly a highly mobile, rapidly deployable C41 system, providing:
- new functionality for automatic exchange of information through headquarters information-control and operational-tactical systems with any subscriber, up to an individual soldier;
- a single picture of the operational situation formed by automation tools in close to real time to provide situational
awareness of the commanders of the joint forces. In addition, commanders will have access to a more detailed unified picture of the tactical situation (combat space) in the areas of responsibility of subordinate commands.
From a technical architecture point of view, the use of commercial standards open systems will significantly reduce the large number of specialized separate systems in GCCS that were previously used in WWMCCS.
At the operational-tactical level, the basis of the command and control system is the standard means of the automated control system of the GCCS (controls of the OOF) and its specific components (controls of the specific formations), regular specific automated control systems of the operational-tactical level. All their elements are combined in such a way that a single combat control system is created, optimized for specific tasks and a specific military operation.
In 1992-1993, the development of the concept of ACS SV ABCS (Army Battle Command System) began. It includes interconnected systems GCCS-A, ATCCS army corps, brigade level and below FBCB2, the WIN-T (Warfighter Information Network - Tactical) communication network, which will replace the existing TRI-TAC communication system (corps link and above) and the system mobile communications MSE - Mobile Subscriber Equipment (corps link and below), Tactical Internet combat radio communication network (TI - Tactical Internet). Ultimately, the automated control system must ensure the continuity and speed of command and control processes from the strategic level down to the individual soldier and interaction with integrated systems in the entire spectrum of possible conflicts. By improving situational awareness and allowing its forces to share a single operational environment (its fragments, taking into account the eligibility of access), it will provide combat control, contribute to the development best options forecasting the situation, determining requirements and capabilities, developing options for action, distributing instructions from commanders and combat orders. ABCS will reduce uncertainty in assessing combat operations, shorten the cycle of informed decision making, and increase combat capabilities, survivability and operational pace while reducing the potential for firing at own units.

The main task is to ensure general situational awareness (taking into account access control) and the interaction of units and units. The deployment of elements of the ABCS system was supposed to be carried out in three stages. At the first (until 2000) it took place in one automated division, at the second (until 2004) it will cover one automated corps, at the third (in 2008) it should be implemented in full. However, plans for the deployment of automated control systems have already been repeatedly adjusted taking into account technical limitations and breakthroughs achieved, the availability financial resources and other factors. This process, according to foreign experts, will continue.
The ABCS ACS is connected to the global operational control system of the US Armed Forces through the GCCS-A system. GCCS-Army provides a set of modular applications, information support and decision support for planning combat operations at the operational-strategic level, conducting and supporting military operations for their entire duration. For example, the system prepares software for analyzing the state and location of troops (forces), combat assets at deployment points and on the march, estimating the time of arrival of units at their destinations, as well as lists of weapons and military equipment that need to be delivered, notifications of their delay at delivery routes. The application for planning and monitoring the progress of redeployment allows you to evaluate the predicted time of arrival of units and the state of their combat readiness. GCCS-A is planned to be deployed from the level of individual formations in the link above the corps to the division level. It will include the standard STACCS (Standard Army Command and Control System) control system in the theater of war (in the zone of operations), the AWIS (Army Worldwide Information System) global information system, and part of the CSSCS rear ACS in the link above the hull.
The Global Logistics Control System, together with GCCS-A, performs the functions of escorting moving forces, providing support from the host state and resolving emerging civil conflicts, logistics (supply, technical, medical, personnel and other types of support, transportation, military police, combating illegal drug trafficking, etc.). It transforms segmented standard information processing systems STAMIS (Standard Army Management Information Systems) for the corresponding rear command links into a single three-tier (level) automated system that will eventually either replace or interact with all existing ACS and rear information systems. GCSS-A consists of a series of functional modules (supply, supply, repair and maintenance, munitions, administration) associated with a relational database. Each module will work at any level of the organization where the personnel perform the respective tasks. Deployment in the troops of the first tier, which includes the functionality of existing information systems for the logistics of STAMIS, working on individual orders, began in 1999-2000 fiscal year(begins October 1).
At the operational-tactical level of the ground forces, the automated control system of the ATCCS army corps was put into operation with limited capabilities, the equipment of which is deployed from the corps to the battalion combat control centers (CMDC). Its main components are:
- ACS troops of the MCS corps (Maneuver Control System).
- ACS field artillery AFATDS (Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System) and fire support equipment.
- ACS for military air defense FAADS C I (Forward Area Air Defense System for Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence). Recently, in connection with
the growing threat of the use of cruise missiles, it is sometimes called the air defense and missile defense planning and control system - AMDPCS (Air and Missile Defense Planning and Control System).
- ACS reconnaissance and electronic warfare ASAS (All Source Analysis System).
- ACS rear CSSCS (Combat Service Support Control System).
- Brigade level and below FBCB2 (Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below System) ACS.
Additional special supporting systems, the list of which may be increased and modified in the future, are:
- an air command post based on a helicopter to control the combat operations of army aviation on the ground and on the ground A2C2S (Army Airspace Command and Control System);
- AMPS (Aviation Mission Planning System) flight mission planning system for army aviation;
- integrated meteorological system IMETS (Integrated Meteorological System);
- digital topographic support system DTSS (Digital Topographic Support System);
- control system for integrated ACS ISYSCON (Integrated Systems Control);
- channels and switches of local computer networks;
- servers of combat operations control centers (TOS - Tactical Operation Center).
Information exchange is provided by the WIN-T combat information network and the Tactical Internet network.

MCS is the main ACS of the hull. Through it, the main exchange of information with the GCCS-A ACS is carried out. Its first version was introduced in Europe in 1981. Since then, MCS has been constantly evolving. The equipment of the system is equipped with control points and command and staff vehicles. Its main task is to control formations and obtain a unified picture of the operational-tactical situation (EC OTO). MCS ensures the coordination of the combat use of all functional automated control systems for the areas of responsibility of command and control links in the interests of the formation and distribution of EC OTO, assistance in decision-making, automated, with minimal operator intervention, the construction of graphic representations of the situation in close to real time based on information from the corps databases and divisional level, filled in by all functional and auxiliary automated control systems.

These representations may include: a digital map of the SITMAP operational (tactical) situation using information central control specific reconnaissance and cartography, intelligence on fire support planning, information on the location of own forces, instructions on interaction in areas of responsibility, information on command and control of air defense forces and means. They (their fragments) are distributed digitally and displayed against the background of topographic maps in the form of electronic maps on the displays of commanders and officers of the headquarters of military formations. Thus, situational awareness is realized.
MCS contains general application programs for various functional purposes, necessary for organizing access to a single database of the ABCS ACS, searching for the necessary information in it and extracting it, as well as a number of functional software modules, in particular, a terrain assessment module for presenting the current situation, planning and graphic display environment maps. MCS will meet the requirements of commanders for information support to specific operations, accompany resources, promote timely and effective combat control during an offensive, defense, positional warfare, while supporting combat operations, the rapid development and distribution of plans, orders, assessments of the situation and the results of strikes against the enemy, and their losses during combat operations . It is planned to be deployed in a link from combined arms battalions to an army corps.
Among the components of the automated control system of the ATCCS army corps, a special role is played by the automated control system for field artillery and fire support means AFATDS, which provides automated decision-making for the functional fire support subsystem of both the ground forces and marines, and the joint operational formations (OOF) and the combined combat arms (for example, fire naval artillery, coordination of close air support). This fully integrated control system performs planning, coordination, combat control of firing at close fire support, suppression of enemy artillery, air defense fire weapons and others. It ensures the performance of all operational fire support functions, including automated target distribution and target designation based on an analysis of the importance of strike targets. The automated control system will be deployed from fire platoons to the corps, transfer data to a single ABCS database, and interact with automated control systems and weapons systems of other types of aircraft.
The FAADS С31 military air defense automated control system integrates air defense firing units, information tools and control points into a single system capable of countering air threats (UAVs, helicopters, aircraft, cruise missiles and others). In addition, the automated control system provides automated control of military air defense units.

The deployment of the FAADS C31 began in 1993, and by 1999, 8 out of 10 US Army divisions were equipped with it. In the automated control system, workstations in the link from the battalion to the corps provided tracking of air targets, displaying a picture of the air situation, and timely distribution of target designation data to firing units. Data from Air Force radar, AWACS and Hawkeye AWACS systems, long and medium-range air defense radars were received via communication channels and combined with data from divisional radars, such as AN / MPQ-64 or P-STAR (small-sized radar for light divisions and special forces operations), in the interests of forming a unified picture of the air situation with the display of the location of their units. Initially, the picture of the air situation was distributed among the command posts of battalions, brigades and divisions. Then the possibility of receiving, if necessary, radar data can be directly received by weapon systems through wearable (for MANPADS) and mobile (ADMS and ZAK) radio and computer terminals was realized, which increases the efficiency of weapon systems and ensures their operation at any time of the day and in any weather.
The short-range air defense missile system battery control panel can be placed on two vehicles with a payload capacity of 1.5 tons with identical equipment and capabilities. Its equipment allows combining radar data and identification / classification data from several sources, as well as their distribution, threat assessment, targeting, data exchange and continuity of the control process during relocation. With a typical architecture of military air defense, the equipment of such a command post may include a transportable computing unit with TCU (Transportable Computer Unit) peripherals, communication equipment for EPLRS, SINCGARS systems, and a HF radio terminal. A voice command communication network is used between departments. The volume of speech information is reduced through the use of electronic distribution of data and orders in the EPLRS system. Detection, identification and tracking of air target routes are carried out by standard AN / MPQ-64 radars with an information update rate of up to 2 s. A single picture of the air situation in close to real time is distributed through the EPLRS warning network, while all radars and CPs always allow you to get a complete picture of the air situation in the division area. In the presence of data from several radars, the rate of updating the route data increases, the size of "dead zones" due to the closing angles of the radar is reduced, and a continuous radar field is maintained when the information sensors are redeployed. All surveillance sensors distribute trace data to individual weapon systems in a battery via the EPLRS system.

Colonel A. Skantsev

The article deals with issues related to the current state of affairs regarding the automation of the control system (ACS) of the armed forces, and in particular such aspects as: the main ACS used in the control system of the Armed Forces; documents of the regulatory framework on the automation of the control system of the US Armed Forces; information about the Department of Information Systems (MIS) of the Ministry of Defense (Defense Information Services Agency - DISA).

The relevance of the materials presented in the article is determined by the changes that took place in this area in 2013-2014.

According to the views of the American leadership, since the end of the 20th century, humanity has entered a new "information" stage of its development. Proof of this is mass computerization, the rapid development of information technology (IT), communications and telecommunications. These circumstances decisively changed the possibilities of human intellectual activity and necessitated a reassessment and development of the views established in military theory and practice.

ACS is understood as a part of the command and control system of troops (forces), which is an organizational and technical complex in accordance with the types of support, designed to improve the efficiency of command and control by automating basic processes, such as collecting, processing, evaluating and displaying data on the situation, the state of friendly troops and enemy troops; prompt notification of management about possible aggression; information and mathematical support for decision-making; bringing orders (commands, instructions) to the troops (forces); collection of reports on the receipt of orders (commands) and their implementation; registration and transfer of combat and reporting and information documents.

In accordance with the terminology adopted in the US Armed Forces, an automated command and control system is understood as an interconnected set of information processing, communication and data transmission tools connected to a local area network (LAN) that automate the processes of collecting, analyzing and assessing situational data, decision support, planning, setting and communicating tasks to the troops (forces) in real time, as well as monitoring their implementation.

Structurally, these systems are a set of connected in local network hardware and software (automated workplaces of officials based on personal computers, communication and data transmission equipment, location tools, server and network equipment, sets of general and special software) located at command posts of formations, units and subunits, military equipment for various purposes, as well as included in the equipment of individual military personnel.

Below are the main automated control systems that are used in the command and control system of the armed forces.

1. Global Command and Control System (GCCS). Officially launched on August 30, 1996, GCCS is the US Armed Forces' automated command and control system that links the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JSC), and the US Arms Commanders. Designed to provide operational control of the armed forces in an automated mode, it is a complex of hardware and software tools that use common standards, regulations and procedures in their work. ACS is able to interact with numerous applications and interfaces that make up "operational architectures" and provide communication with all geographically distributed components of this system in all warfare environments at the tactical, operational and strategic control levels.

The GCCS supports six command and control processes, operations management; mobilization; deployment of groups; personnel, logistics and technical support; intelligence.

This ACS has eight functional subsystems: threat identification and assessment; assistance in strategic planning; situation development forecast; task execution planning; preparation and communication of executive instructions (implementation of plans); situation monitoring; risk analysis; general geoinformation picture of the situation.

This ACS includes the following structural components:
- the global command and control system (GCCS) of the ground forces (Global Command and Control System -Army) (hereinafter - GCCS-A);
- GSOU of the Air Force (Global Command and Control System-Air Force) (hereinafter - GCCS-AF);
- GSOU naval forces and Coast Guard (Global Command and Control System - Navy) (hereinafter - GCCS-N);
- GSOU Marine Corps (KMP - Global Command and Control System - Marine Corps).

2. Global Combat Support System - Joint (GCSS-J); GCSS-J is an automated control system that includes subsystems that are identical in structure to the departments (departments) of headquarters at various levels of management: logistics (supply of materiel); transport; medical; legal (legal); religious; financial; military music; personnel service; ordnance disposal services (hazardous materials).

GCSS-J, commissioned in September 2011, is an automated control system that, on a service-oriented architecture, allows you to solve the problems of logistics of the US Armed Forces. This system for the specified purposes provides information on the definition of: tasks of support; volumes and nomenclature of material resources required to perform tasks at the strategic, operational and tactical levels of management; information necessary for use by command and control, in terms of comprehensive support; situational awareness in the field of planning, execution, control and evaluation of logistics operations across the entire spectrum of actions of troops (forces) both in peacetime and wartime.

This system allows you to generate reports on the types of support in the form of reports on a geo-information basis in a short time, and also guarantees information support for decision-making on combat support of troops (forces). It consists of automated control systems that automate the activities structural divisions combat support of the US Armed Forces integrated into GCCS (for example, an automated transport coordination system - Transportation Coordinator Automated Movement Server) and others.

3. Multinational Information Sharing (MNIS) system. Commissioned in the first quarter of 2013, this automated control system is designed to organize and exchange information between the GCCS and command and control systems of the armed forces of partner states in order to provide information support for planning and conducting multinational military operations. The MNIS includes: - The Combined Federated Battle Logistics Network (CFBLNet), which is a system of test benches and laboratories for research and testing the compatibility of automated control systems of countries participating in multinational coalitions, NATO members and, if necessary, other states.

The combined regional information exchange system (Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System - CENTRIXS) is an information digital environment, which is a combination of network applications and services that allow the exchange of information and databases, while ensuring information protection.

CENTRIXS round-the-clock support system (Centrixs Surge Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Support), as well as software products provided in the development of CENTRIXS.

The Pegasus/Griffin information resource allows the joint use of national and supranational automated control systems for the transfer of classified information over communication channels.

Internet service UISS-APAN, which combines the advantages of unstructured access to information (blogs, forums) and structured collaboration (sharing files, calendars).

4. Joint Planning and Execution Services (JPES). Commissioned in the 1st quarter of 2013, JPES is designed to provide information support for military operations using IT for automated processing of situational data, presentation of information in accordance with the existing reporting, planning, execution and control system.

It consists of a number of subsystems: reporting, planning, execution, monitoring, as well as tools: editing, quick query, management, permission.

The system is designed to ensure that all participants in the planning and conduct of military operations use the same dictionaries, procedures and databases.

In addition, there is a significant number of automated control systems that automate the activities of headquarters, troops (forces) according to a territorial or functional principle (for example, in a separate operational direction or on logistic support, etc.).

These are such GCCS-compatible ACS as:
- a global command and control system combined with a system of integrated representation of images and intelligence (Global Command and Control System-Joint Integrated Imagery and Intelligence);
- automated system for processing and analyzing intelligence information (All-Source Analysis System);
- a system for the formation of a single picture of the operational situation (Common Operational Picture);
- automated control system for the rear support of the SV (Battle Command Sustainment Support System);
- system of automated coordination of traffic (Transportation Coordinator Automated Movement Server);
- automated control system of the army corps of the ground forces (Army Tactical Command and Control System);
- automated control system of the "brigade" link and below (Force XXI Battle Command - Brigade and below);
- automated information system of the military police (Military Police Management Information System);
- an integrated information transmission network of the Ministry of Defense (Defense Information Systems Network);
- United data network (Joint Data Network) and others.

These automated control systems characterize the modern image of equipping the US Armed Forces with control automation tools. Strong point of these systems is that on their basis a single information and control environment is created in the armed forces of the country, which allows to carry out:
- collection, storage and analysis of information on the actions of external and internal factors on troops (forces), as well as a forecast of their development;
- collection, storage, analysis and presentation in the necessary forms of information about the state and capabilities of its control system, subordinate and interacting systems;
- preparation of solutions, their formalization, the formation of control actions and bringing them to control objects.

The existing military AS (VN) in the future will be replaced by other, more advanced ones. Among the long-term solutions, the idea of creating a single automated system for the US Armed Forces as a result of the evolutionary development of GCCS is being worked out. At the same time, the possibility of developing a revolutionary automated control system based on a new element base and breakthrough information and telecommunication technologies is not ruled out.

In the process of improving the ACS of the control system of the US Armed Forces, examples of failures were noted. So, in the 2000s, an attempt was made to develop and implement a new ACS NECC (Net Enabled Command Capability) to replace GCCS. However, this area of work to improve the AS VN was found to be inappropriate, and in 2009 they were terminated.

All of the above ACS belong to the family of systems integrated with GCCS. Military command and control bodies, troops (forces) use these systems in a complex (in one joint command - OK - several systems can be used) in accordance with the decision of the OK on the organization of control. The composition and nature of the use of these VN systems are determined by the type of armed forces in which they are used (ground forces, naval or air forces, marines or coast guards). All stages of the life cycle of these automated control systems are regulated by documents of the regulatory framework for the automation of the US Armed Forces control system.

The main documents of the regulatory framework for the automation of the control system of the US Armed Forces. Among such documents on automation of the control system are the following:
- "Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership. Priorities for XXI (st) Century Defense".
- Capstone Concept for Joint Operations: Joint Force 2020.
- "strategic plan development of a special information support agency (Ministry of Defense) for 2014-2019" (Strategic Plan D1SA 2014-2019).
In the development of these documents, manuals, orders, instructions, circulars, etc., clarifying and developing their content, are constantly being developed and published.

These documents reflect the views of the American command on:
- the main functions of the ACS of the US Armed Forces, in particular: command and control of troops (forces), provision of situational data, formation in the future of a single information and reconnaissance space (UIRP);
- prospects for the development of automated control systems;
- the principles of military service by the personnel of the American armed forces, etc.;
- principles of comprehensive support for the US Armed Forces.

One of the directions for the implementation of the provisions of the guidance documents, regarding the EIRP in the US Armed Forces, is the development of automated control systems through the introduction of advanced information and telecommunication technologies. This provides an information advantage when operating in various environments: on land, on and under the sea surface, in the air and space, in cyberspace. Thus, conditions are created for achieving overwhelming superiority and winning victory over the enemy.

So, in the US Armed Forces there is a developed system of legal documents on the automation of the control system. As a rule, they disclose the purpose, tasks to be solved, components, work procedure, information security requirements, as well as other important (actual) problems.

As for the US Armed Forces, to solve this problem, a organizational structure, the main components of which are:
- Department of Information Systems of the US Department of Defense;
- global command and control system (Global Command and Control System);
- system of multinational information sharing (Multinational information sharing);
- Global Combat Support System - Joint (Global Combat Support System - Joint);
- system of joint planning and execution (Joint Planning and Execution Services);
- GCCS-integrated ACS.

The system organizer of activities for the creation and development of a unified information and control environment of the US Armed Forces, including in terms of the creation and development of automated control systems, is the Department of Information Systems of the US Department of Defense.

The UIS, created on June 25, 1991, is intended for:
- formation of the EIRP in the US Armed Forces;
- achieving and maintaining information superiority by collecting, processing and disseminating a continuous flow of information to interested users;
- Creation of information space infrastructure.

A single information space in the US Armed Forces is understood as comprehensive information (databases, knowledge, etc.), consisting of standardized (classifiers, dictionaries, reference books, etc.), centralized (orders, instructions, signals, etc.) .) and updated (reports, reports, information, reporting materials, etc.) information located in an automated technological infrastructure, which includes: technical (servers, data centers, PCs, etc.) and software (general and special programs, etc.) products.

Currently, the staff of the penitentiary system includes more than 14 thousand people working in 90 countries around the world. The agency's budget in 2014 was over $8 billion.
The UIS has identified the following most promising technologies that need to be developed in order to improve the automated control system:
- high-performance optical network technologies with a speed of 100 Gbit/s and higher;
- fault-tolerant network technologies that can withstand both natural threats environment, and cyber attacks;
- "cloud technologies;
- technologies for mass-parallel processing of large volumes of data;
- management technologies;
- mobile technologies.

To search for and implement new ideas in the field of control automation, the Pentagon continues to actively involve other ministries and departments, representatives of the civil scientific and technical community and commercial structures of the country in cooperation. For this purpose, the UIS maintains Internet resources (for example, Forge.mil), designed to attract various stakeholders and structures in the projects of the US Armed Forces using the technical capabilities of the military department. In the future, the department plans to expand the use of Internet resources, including through integration with similar civilian resources (in particular, with GitHub.com).

It follows from this that the SIS is main organization dealing with the automation of the control system of the US Armed Forces.

Thus, the American leadership pays serious attention to the tasks of automating the command and control of the armed forces. Key areas of activity for automation of the control system of the US Armed Forces are regulated in detail by the regulatory framework. These documents reflect the main views of the command on the automation of the control system that existed in the 2000s and in 2013-2014, as well as on the prospect of automating the control system for the period up to 2020.

The main views on the automation of the control system that existed from 2000 to 2013 were formulated in 2000. According to Western experts, this will allow:
- preserve the radio frequency spectrum used by US Armed Forces ACS;
- provide information to relevant officials;
- increase the efficiency and security of wireless communication networks;
- provide ACS services in the fight against terrorism, in combat conditions, as well as in critical environmental conditions;
- Improving the quality of ACS services. The main views on the same processes, formulated in 2014, boil down to the need to:
- formation of information and control environment in the conditions of war and peace;
- providing information to military operations in remote theaters of operations in the Central Asian region (special attention is paid to the development of the direction of videoconferencing in a secure mode);
- coordination of plans and work with other departments that form the information and control environment in the United States and beyond its borders in the interests of national armed forces;
- Providing information superiority over any adversary in terms of answering questions: what, where and when.

In order to implement these tasks, three directions for the development of automated control systems are presented:
- building an independent infrastructure;
- development of subsystems for management, control and information exchange of automated control systems;
- reliable operation and full-fledged provision of automated control systems.

Eight mechanisms for the implementation of the specified development plan have been developed: acquisition; contracts; mechanical engineering; information and knowledge management; people; planning; resources; radio frequency spectrum.

The main views of the American leadership on the prospect of automation of the control system for the period up to 2020 were formulated in 2014:
- development of the formed information and control environment;
- consolidation of the leading position of the ACS for the control of US nuclear forces in comparison with similar systems of other countries;
- development of the concept of using automated control systems for cyber operations;
- increasing the speed of ACS;
- global defense against destructive elements;
- development of "cloud" technologies in the interests of the US Armed Forces;
- improvement of mobile technologies in the interests of the Armed Forces.

The solution of these tasks is entrusted to DISA, which provides the needs for information on military issues of the president, vice president, secretary of defense, command and control staff, commanders of the US Armed Forces, as well as other users of the ACS of the country's defense.

The US military has a well-structured, widely branched network of automated control systems, including both GCCS and GCCS-compatible automated systems.

At the same time, it is obvious that the weak side of the considered automated control systems is their diversity, duplication of functions, and complexity of use by consumers.

The country's leadership is taking steps to create a single unified automated control system, which will achieve information superiority over the enemy in compliance with modern requirements for these systems. As a constant, we can consider the trend of improving the quality of management through the introduction of more advanced technical, software, information, linguistic, organizational and other solutions.

ANALYSIS of the modern world experience of military operations shows that their successful implementation requires timely comprehensive information support for combat operations, covert command and control, and the use of high-precision weapons.

Combat operations are controlled from the command posts of the highest, operational-strategic, and tactical levels. In any case, control points are equipped with local information networks, computer equipment, which include an operating system (OS), a database management system (DBMS), security and access systems.

Weapon systems are equipped with similar means, including missiles, aircraft, helicopters, submarines and surface ships, anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems, high-precision weapons, command and control posts.

TO THE HISTORY OF THE QUESTION

Since the 1960s began to develop rapidly electronic computers, it has become one of the priority components of the country's defense potential. At the same time, the following priorities were set as priorities:

Ensuring the automation of command and control of troops and weapons in order to increase on this basis the effectiveness of combat operations and the use of weapons;
- training of the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the free and professional knowledge and use of information technologies both in daily activities and in command and control of troops in the course of hostilities and possession of weapons.

During these years, unprecedented measures were taken: large research and design centers were built and equipped (the "city of electronics" Zelenograd, a number of organizations and enterprises in Moscow, Penza, Kyiv, Kazan, Minsk and other cities); international cooperation was organized, special ministries and departments were created; a special methodology for the parallel development and implementation of information technologies has been formed in almost all the main areas of activity of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

And it must be said frankly that these measures made it possible to sharply increase the level of automation of the processes of command and control of troops and weapons in the army and navy, as well as the level computer literacy personnel of our Armed Forces.

The industry began to develop various types of computers and operating systems, or to use foreign designs available for them.

At the same time, we were faced with a process of increasing negative trends, which to a large extent began to slow down the further effective development and use of modern information technologies.

The Armed Forces have accumulated an unjustifiably large variety of software, software, and information technologies, mostly of foreign production. Suffice it to say that about 60 types of operating systems, about 50 types of database management systems, more than 100 information exchange protocols are currently used. In addition, many of these software tools do not have the necessary protection tools.

This situation has developed as a result of the lack of a single software and hardware platform, hundreds of duplicating developments of software and hardware complexes and automated systems for various purposes.

This, in turn, led to a multiple increase in financial costs and time for duplicating developments, as well as to a technological lag and significant dependence on imported technology. The control systems created on their basis tore the information space of the Russian Armed Forces into a large number of incompatible fragments, reduced their security, which ultimately led to potential vulnerability in information confrontation.

At present, the situation has become even more aggravated due to the appearance in a number of countries of the so-called information weapon. It can be a tool for:

Targeted impact on the control systems of other countries and their law enforcement agencies (distortion, formation and imposition of false information, its destruction);
- committing terrorist acts against state administration systems, law enforcement agencies, life support industries and the economy (communications, transport, fuel complex, energy complex, finance, etc.);
- destruction of automated systems.

Elements of information weapons can also be included in imported software.

Therefore, automated military systems built on foreign software cannot provide the necessary degree information security and technological independence of the country and the Armed Forces.

I would like to draw attention to a special type of threat in the "information war" - the desire of developed foreign countries to contain the Russian information technology industry while preventing Russia's access to the latest information technologies. In fact, the world's leading firms do not hide their intentions to seize the information technology of the Russian Armed Forces. There was a threat of constant technological dependence on foreign suppliers of information technology.

Under these conditions, only domestically protected basic information technologies can ensure the unity of the weapons system, its security and technological independence. Russian teams must create and support software and hardware products at all stages of their life cycle.

EXIT FROM THE CURRENT SITUATION

Realizing the need to create a single secure domestic software and hardware platform, the Russian Ministry of Defense in 1994 decided to develop domestic basic information technologies (including operating systems, database management systems, development tools and software and hardware complexes).

The decision was also made on the basis of an analysis of modern world experience in conducting military operations, which showed that the most important factors determining their success include timely comprehensive information support for combat operations, covert command and control, and the use of high-precision weapons. This is very clearly demonstrated by the events of local conflicts of recent years (Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq).

By order of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, domestic means of basic information protected computer technologies were created, carried out state tests and accepted for supply to the Armed Forces: the MCVS operating system, the Linter-VS database management system and the Holst-S software and hardware complex.

An analysis of the characteristics of these tools and foreign analogues shows the advantages of domestic developments, primarily in terms of reliability, protection against unauthorized access, warranty service, maintenance and support in a special period.

These tools can be used to process information that contains state secrets.

The software is commercially supplied both independently and as part of standard protected software and hardware systems.

The flexible structure of the "Holst-C" complex allows it to be delivered in the required configuration and with the necessary computing power in accordance with the needs of a particular automation object.

Recently, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, taking into account economic efficiency, has taken a number of decisions to pursue a unified scientific and technical policy in the Armed Forces in the field of military basic information technologies, including new organization orders and work on the creation of automated military systems based on domestic technologies.

These decisions determined the procedure for coordinating the development of new systems based on basic information technologies both within the Ministry of Defense and with the main developers of automated military systems.

The Chief of Armaments of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is entrusted with the principle new task on the coordination of tactical and technical specifications for the creation of automated means, command and control systems for troops and weapons by type of support (mathematical, software, technical, informational, linguistic), integrated information protection and software and hardware complexes.

It has been established that automated means, command and control systems for troops and weapons will be accepted into service (in operation, for supply) only if they are created on the basis of domestic basic information protected computer technologies. In accordance with the decisions taken, these principles are being actively implemented into the practice of developing and modernizing information technology systems.

Of course, the introduction of this technology is not without conflict. We encounter often quite stubborn opposition from some developers and organizations. And this is not something out of the ordinary. This is a normal process of introducing a new one. Moreover, we perfectly understand the position of the resisters. After all, we are talking about the need to refine, and sometimes remake the worked out and implemented software products. But life inexorably dictates the need to switch to modern secure technologies. All software developers need to realize this and look for ways to optimally solve this problem.

It should also be noted that the leaders of a number of leading industrial organizations prepared teams in a timely manner and have already reached the modern technological level. Unfortunately, individual organizations - developers of automated control systems have not yet been able to do this.

PERSPECTIVE

The Ministry of Defense pays special attention to the issues of creating informationally interconnected automated control systems for all levels based on unified and standardized software, technical and information-linguistic means of basic technologies.

The priority task is the further development of basic military information technologies in order to create the foundations for building a single information space, including systems that make it possible to build end-to-end control paths from combined-arms command posts to direct means of fire impact.

These activities are expected to:

Create integrated automated military systems with "seamless" technology of joints within a single information space;

Reduce the range of work performed, duplicated in the development of automated control systems for all levels of command of types, branches of the armed forces, main and central departments and the costs of their creation;

To shorten the time for creating automated control systems by switching to the technology of using serial products and, accordingly, reduce financial costs.

A LITTLE ECONOMY

Serial deliveries of the components of basic secure information technologies common to all automated control systems will allow the development of the system to release funds in the amount of 25-30% of its total cost, directing them to the development of special software, and thereby focus the efforts of developers on the implementation of the full functional purpose of the system.

At the same time, the terms of creating systems are reduced by 2-3 years. Due to the introduction of modern information technologies and computer technology in the modernization of weapons, it is possible to increase its efficiency from 10 to 30%. In addition, software products such as the operating system and database management system have good export potential. The volume of sales of these software tools by only three firms (IBM, Microsoft, Oracle) is about 80-100 billion dollars a year.

Since OS and DBMS with protection tools are not freely sold on the world market, we can conclude that there are good export prospects along with the supply of weapons and military equipment, software products of domestic development.

Today, all power ministries and departments support the policy of the Ministry of Defense and are interested in creating secure information automated systems based on basic military technologies. This policy will be steadily implemented.

Otherwise it can not be. The price of the issue is too high - after all, up to 20% of the state defense order is annually allocated for the creation of automated systems for various purposes.

I would like to hope that the leading developers of automated control systems for troops and weapons are aware of this military-technical policy and the requirements of the Russian Ministry of Defense in such an important area.

US Ground Forces Automated Control Systems

Colonel V. Masnoy; Colonel Yu. Sudakov, Ph.D. technical sciences

With the deepening of the processes of informatization of society, the possibilities for improving the efficiency of management processes in various spheres of people's life have expanded. The military area is no exception. Moreover, the real need to reduce defense spending does not allow for a reduction in the combat capability of troops (forces). Therefore, the issues of increasing the effectiveness of command and control of combat formations in the leading Western states are currently given priority attention.
Another important factor in the intensification of control processes is the desire to achieve a comprehensive superiority over the enemy through preempting him in actions and making decisions. This approach is based on the need to achieve information superiority based on global and scalable situational awareness in real time. According to many American military experts, the formation of the forces of the 21st century should take place not on the basis of existing weapons systems, as at the present time, but primarily on the basis of information that allows commanders to fully realize their potential capabilities. Information about the current situation on the battlefield becomes the basis for the integration of various automated systems, which allows you to achieve maximum effect and make optimal decisions. Thus, Admiral A. Owen, former deputy chairman of the KNSh, identified three categories of technical innovations in such areas of military activity: reconnaissance and surveillance; control, communication and automation systems; precision weapon. According to him, these three innovations together will form a "system of systems", which is reflected in various concepts for building a promising military information infrastructure in the United States.
The most significant of them is the strategic concept "Interfacing and functional integration of control, communications, computing and intelligence systems for combatants" - C4I FTW (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence for the Warrior), developed in the US Department of Defense in 90 years of the last century. It was aimed at creating a single battlefield information space for all its participants by 2010. At the same time, C41 systems mean systems necessary for the technical support of the control process. The concept outlined the contours of the global information infrastructure of the XXI century, designed to meet the needs of the US Armed Forces in information processing and transportation, and consisting of a chain of computer-controlled networks that cover industry, media, government, military, private and other bodies and institutions.
Since the mid-1990s, the leadership of the US Armed Forces has sharply increased tendencies towards achieving real unity of the Armed Forces, as well as towards the widespread use of various operational formations. In 1996, the concept document of the US Chiefs of Staff Committee "Unified Perspective-2010" appeared. Its key attribute is information superiority, which provides the troops with new opportunities for conducting a highly organized and high-precision battle (combat), targeted rear support, dominant maneuver and comprehensive defense. The new version of the document - "Unified Perspective-2020", published in 2000, also indicated that the ongoing "information revolution" creates not only quantitative, but also qualitative changes in the information environment, which by 2020 will lead to huge changes in the conduct of military operations. The decision of the US Congress on the numerical reduction of the US Armed Forces has increased the requirements for information technology. Therefore, in the “Unified Perspective-2020”, the previously appeared concepts for the development of architectures for control and communication systems of the types of aircraft were clarified (SV - Enterprise, 1993; Navy - Copernicus, 1990; Air Force - Horizont, 1993).

The information infrastructure of the US Department of Defense is based on a set of various interconnected information systems of various levels of control, both vertically and horizontally, since the US Army will be used as part of the joint forces, consideration of the vertical control of various formations in the armed forces is of the greatest interest.
Thus, at the operational-strategic level, the central command and control system for troops (forces) is the global operational control system - GCCS (GCCS - Global Command Control System). According to the uniform charter 0-2 of the US Armed Forces ("The activities of the joint bodies of the US Armed Forces"), the GSOU is a system that provides funds for the operational management and administrative support of the US Armed Forces. Its equipment provides communication between the top military-political leadership, the joint headquarters of the KNSh with the headquarters of the types of the Armed Forces, the central subordination of the Ministry of Defense, the joint commands in the zones and functional commands, the commanders of the joint operational formations, large species and support formations. In coordination with it, a global GCSS (Global Command Support System) rear control system is being created. The specific components of the GCCS are the global command and control systems for the ground forces (GCCS-Appu), the Navy (GCCS-Maritime, formerly known as JMCIS - Joint Maritime Command Information System), the air force’s supporting ACS in the military operations zone TBMCS (Theater Battle Management Core System), and in in the future - an integrated ACS of the Air Force (code name IC2S - Integrated Command and Control System). The global intelligence information system GRIS (Global Reconnaissance Information System), the closed information infrastructure of the US intelligence community, and automated control systems of other departments are connected to it. GCCS officially entered service in August 1996 and continues to improve, gradually replacing the outdated WWMCCS system. In contrast, GCCS will be partly a highly mobile, rapidly deployable C41 system, providing:
- new functionality for automatic exchange of information through headquarters information-control and operational-tactical systems with any subscriber, up to an individual soldier;
- a single picture of the operational situation formed by automation tools in close to real time to provide situational
awareness of the commanders of the joint forces. In addition, commanders will have access to a more detailed unified picture of the tactical situation (combat space) in the areas of responsibility of subordinate commands.
From a technical architecture point of view, the use of commercial open systems standards will significantly reduce the large number of specialized separate systems in GCCS that were previously used in WWMCCS.
At the operational-tactical level, the basis of the command and control system is the standard means of the automated control system of the GCCS (controls of the OOF) and its specific components (controls of the specific formations), regular specific automated control systems of the operational-tactical level. All their elements are combined in such a way that a single combat control system is created, optimized for specific tasks and a specific military operation.
In 1992-1993, the development of the concept of ACS SV ABCS (Army Battle Command System) began. It includes interconnected systems GCCS-A, ATCCS army corps, brigade level and below FBCB2, WIN-T (Warfighter Information Network - Tactical) communication network, which will replace the existing TRI-TAC communication system (corps link and above) and MSE mobile communication system - Mobile Subscriber Equipment (corps link and below), combat radio communication network Tactical Internet (TI - Tactical Internet). Ultimately, the automated control system must ensure the continuity and speed of command and control processes from the strategic level down to the individual soldier and interaction with integrated systems in the entire spectrum of possible conflicts. By improving situational awareness and allowing its forces to share the common operational environment (its fragments, taking into account the eligibility of access), it will provide combat control, contribute to the development of optimal options for predicting the situation, determining requirements and capabilities, developing options for action, distributing instructions from commanders and combat orders. ABCS will reduce uncertainty in assessing combat operations, shorten the cycle of informed decision making, and increase combat capabilities, survivability and operational pace while reducing the potential for firing at own units.

The ABCS ACS is connected to the global operational control system of the US Armed Forces through the GCCS-A system. GCCS-Army provides a set of modular applications, information support and decision support for planning combat operations at the operational-strategic level, conducting and supporting military operations for their entire duration. For example, the system prepares software for analyzing the state and location of troops (forces), combat assets at deployment points and on the march, estimating the time of arrival of units at their destinations, as well as lists of weapons and military equipment that need to be delivered, notifications of their delay at delivery routes. The application for planning and monitoring the progress of redeployment allows you to evaluate the predicted time of arrival of units and the state of their combat readiness. GCCS-A is planned to be deployed from the level of individual formations in the link above the corps to the division level. It will include the standard STACCS (Standard Army Command and Control System) control system in the theater of war (in the zone of operations), the AWIS (Army Worldwide Information System) global information system, and part of the CSSCS rear ACS in the link above the hull.
The Global Logistics Control System, together with GCCS-A, performs the functions of escorting moving forces, providing support from the host state and resolving emerging civil conflicts, logistics (supply, technical, medical, personnel and other types of support, transportation, military police, combating illegal drug trafficking, etc.). It transforms segmented standard information processing systems STAMIS (Standard Army Management Information Systems) for the corresponding rear command links into a single three-tier (level) automated system that will eventually either replace or interact with all existing ACS and rear information systems. GCSS-A consists of a series of functional modules (supply, supply, repair and maintenance, munitions, administration) associated with a relational database. Each module will work at any level of the organization where the personnel perform the respective tasks. Deployment to the troops of the first tier, which includes the functionality of existing custom-made logistics information systems STAMIS, began in fiscal year 1999-2000 (begins October 1).
At the operational-tactical level of the ground forces, the automated control system of the ATCCS army corps was put into operation with limited capabilities, the equipment of which is deployed from the corps to the battalion combat control centers (CMDC). Its main components are:
- ACS troops of the MCS corps (Maneuver Control System).
- ACS field artillery AFATDS (Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System) and fire support equipment.
- ACS for military air defense FAADS C I (Forward Area Air Defense System for Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence). Recently, in connection with
the growing threat of the use of cruise missiles, it is sometimes called the air defense and missile defense planning and control system - AMDPCS (Air and Missile Defense Planning and Control System).
- ACS reconnaissance and electronic warfare ASAS (All Source Analysis System).
- ACS rear CSSCS (Combat Service Support Control System).
- Brigade level and below FBCB2 (Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below System) ACS.
Additional special supporting systems, the list of which may be increased and modified in the future, are:
- an air command post based on a helicopter to control the combat operations of army aviation on the ground and on the ground A2C2S (Army Airspace Command and Control System);
- AMPS (Aviation Mission Planning System) flight mission planning system for army aviation;
- integrated meteorological system IMETS (Integrated Meteorological System);
- digital topographic support system DTSS (Digital Topographic Support System);
- control system for integrated ACS ISYSCON (Integrated Systems Control);
- channels and switches of local computer networks;
- servers of combat operations control centers (TOS - Tactical Operation Center).
Information exchange is provided by the WIN-T combat information network and the Tactical Internet network.

These representations may include: a digital map of the operational (tactical) situation SITMAP using information from the central directorate of visual intelligence and cartography, intelligence on planning fire support, information about the location of one's forces, instructions for interaction in areas of responsibility, information about the management of forces and means of air defense. They (their fragments) are distributed digitally and displayed against the background of topographic maps in the form of electronic maps on the displays of commanders and officers of the headquarters of military formations. Thus, situational awareness is realized.
MCS contains general application programs for various functional purposes, necessary for organizing access to a single database of the ABCS ACS, searching for the necessary information in it and extracting it, as well as a number of functional software modules, in particular, a terrain assessment module for presenting the current situation, planning and graphic display environment maps. MCS will meet the requirements of commanders for information support for specific operations, accompany resources, promote timely and effective combat control during an offensive, defense, positional warfare, in support of combat operations, rapid development and distribution of plans, orders, situation assessments and results inflicted on the enemy strikes, their losses in the course of hostilities. It is planned to be deployed in a link from combined arms battalions to an army corps.
Among the components of the automated control system of the ATCCS army corps, a special role is played by the automated control system for field artillery and fire support means AFATDS, which provides automated decision-making for the functional fire support subsystem of both the ground forces and marines, and the joint operational formations (OOF) and the combined combat arms (for example, fire naval artillery, coordination of close air support). This fully integrated control system performs planning, coordination, combat control of firing at close fire support, suppression of enemy artillery, air defense fire weapons and others. It ensures the performance of all operational fire support functions, including automated target distribution and target designation based on an analysis of the importance of strike targets. The automated control system will be deployed from fire platoons to the corps, transfer data to a single ABCS database, and interact with automated control systems and weapons systems of other types of aircraft.
The FAADS С31 military air defense automated control system integrates air defense firing units, information tools and control points into a single system capable of countering air threats (UAVs, helicopters, aircraft, cruise missiles and others). In addition, the automated control system provides automated control of military air defense units.

Reconnaissance forces and means have always been the "eyes" and "ears" of commanders, and their joint use with electronic warfare forces and means has dramatically increased the combat capabilities of troops (forces). The modern mobile ACS for reconnaissance and electronic warfare (EW) ASAS is deployed in the link from the battalion and above the corps. It receives and quickly processes large volumes of combat information and communications from intelligence assets and all intelligence sources in order to continuously develop timely and accurate information targeting, intelligence documents and threat alerts. The automated control system includes evolutionarily improved modules that manage its operation, ensure the protection of the system and information in it, manage the collection of intelligence, process and distribute intelligence information, as well as data on important targets - objects of electronic suppression, target distribution among weapon systems and jamming equipment, exchange of information through channels of connection. Remote workstations of ASAS automated control systems automate the work of intelligence and electronic warfare personnel from the link above the corps to the corps battalion, including special operations forces. ASAS generates a picture of the location of enemy forces and its objects and presents its data into a common operational, highly scalable picture of the combat space distributed in the ABCS network.

It is impossible to implement targeted logistics support for troops (forces) without a modern automated system, so the US Armed Forces are deploying an automated control system for the rear of CSSCS. It is designed to provide timely, important, integrated and accurate information on logistics issues, including data on the supply of all types of allowances (classes of supplies), field services, technical, medical, personnel support, the movement of resources within both combat units and units, and throughout operation zones. It also contains important data on resources from other systems, in particular the standard STAMIS information processing systems in each control link, which will later be converted into the GCSS-A global rear control system. The CSSCS processes, analyzes and integrates resource information and assesses needs by type of support for existing and arriving forces in the area of operations. It will be deployed in a link from the battalion and above the corps. To manage logistic and combat support, EC OTO, data on the location and movement of logistics resources, messages from supply points, requests for support, combat orders, information messages about the status of logistics resources in units are used. The formats of all messages are standardized for automatic processing in the ACS and the elimination of repeated data entry. Management is implemented through the menu using standard icons to switch to other windows and perform standard operations. The picture of the combat space (its fragments) is the same for both combat and support units.
Particular attention in the tactical level of command and control of troops (forces) deserves automated control systems at the brigade level and below FBCB2. It is a set of interacting software and hardware designed to provide situational awareness of units, crews of armored vehicles, vehicles, individual soldiers in real and near real time on the move and transfer control information to commanders of combat and support units. It is a key component of ACYABCS.
About $47.6 million was spent on the FBCB2 automated control system in fiscal year 1996. According to various estimates, in the period from 1997 to 2004, another 270 to 385 million dollars should be spent on development and testing. Currently, the development and deployment of automated control systems are carried out under a five-year contract with TRW for an amount exceeding $ 282 million. An analysis of similar projects suggests that this is not the final figure.
According to American experts, the FBCB2 ACS will exchange situational data in the interests of forming and receiving a single picture of the operational-tactical situation (the location of its forces and means, the characteristics of measures for planning and managing their actions, the location and status of logistics resources, the known and expected location forces and means of the enemy, his resources, intentions and possible actions, graphical representations of the current situation on the battlefield). Its equipment will be installed in every tank and infantry fighting vehicle: initially to the level of a platoon, and after 2008-2015 - up to a soldier of specialized combat units, ensuring the unity of perception of the situation through its presentation on displays with touch control and automatic integration with the ATCCS army corps on battalion level. Digital components that provide situational awareness and control are, as a rule, wearable portable computers with flat-panel displays, radio terminals of the SINCGARS and EPLRS communication systems, noise-immune multi-channel PLGR receivers of the global positioning system using the NAVSTAR space radio navigation system, in the future - a combat type identification system under development "friend or foe" BCIS.
ACS FBCB2 enters the troops in two versions. The first is Applique's computer-based hardware linked to the NAVSTAR system receiver and digital radio and using combat control software. The second is a purely software version for computers built into weapon systems. FBCB2 equipment integrates with other on-board subsystems, such as a laser range finder, to automatically generate messages about enemy targets and call for fire.
The first phase of the FBCB2 program ended in March 1997 at the brigade exercises of the experimental forces of the 21st century, which convincingly proved that situational awareness and timely provision of data on the location of friendly forces and enemy forces can speed up the process of making informed decisions while reducing the likelihood of strikes against friendly forces. More than 1,000 Applique systems serving 5,000 people during exercises have demonstrated their ability to collect and distribute important combat information to units and headquarters in close to real time.
At the second stage of the FBCB2 program, functionality will be expanded and hardware and software will be improved, and improved versions of the Tactical Internet network will be introduced. A subgroup of software tools has been developed that allows new weapon systems (for example, the Ml Al SEP tank, M2AZ BMP) equipped with on-board computers to interact with systems previously equipped with Applique tools (M1A1, Humvee). Situational awareness will be ensured, the implementation of control procedures, the use of variable message formats, uniform within the framework of the joint forces.
The Applique system uses an open systems architecture to improve the interaction of combat assets and other components of the ABCS automated control system. Its architecture is independent of the specific hardware characteristics of any platform on which Applique hardware is installed. Applique hardware is available in four variants:
- commercial off-the-shelf laptops and wearables VI;
- a modified lightweight computer unit V2 from a set of common hardware and software, adapted to harsh operating conditions;
- a computer of military development V3, used, as a rule, in armored vehicles;
- the system unit of the soldier DSSU (Dismounted Soldier System Unit) is a portable lightweight computer that is used in the "company-squad" link.
A simplified version is the auxiliary unit of the soldier.
Applique equipment is expected to be delivered as stand-alone kits, the integration of which into a specific platform (multi-purpose vehicles, combat vehicles, armored vehicles) by interfacing with a communication system, power supplies, a NAVSTAR system receiver, a BCIS identification system and a laser rangefinder will be carried out on site.
In the experimental exercises in FBCB2, portable computers with a Pentium Pro 200 MHz processor, 64 MB RAM, expandable to 512 MB, a 1.6 GB hard drive, a 10.4-12.1-inch touchscreen display were used. Thus, a portable computer by Cytech was developed based on a Pentium 266 MHz MMX processor with 48 MB RAM, a 2.1 GB hard drive, a Windows 98 operating system worth $4,595, which works even when immersed in water. Within eight years, NEs can purchase 60,000 of these computers. They will use color active-matrix liquid crystal displays and monochrome displays with 16 shades of gray scale. In August 1998, for the first time, 120 computers with a 31 cm display, touch control and sufficient visibility of information in sunlight were deployed as part of the automated control system. For 10 years, the US Army intends to purchase 59.5 thousand sets of Applique.
However, these types of computers are rapidly improving. According to some marketing firms, this period currently ranges from 8 to 14 months, which causes serious problems in ensuring that the IWT in the US military is kept at a high technical level.
TRW has integrated the FBCB2 with the FAADS C3I ACS, CSSCS, the BCIS Combat Identification System, the TsUBD of various command and control units, and other SV systems. Demonstrations were conducted on the transfer of images from the Hunter UAV to the FBCB2 ACS of RTR data from Gardale aircraft. Applique users could send messages from anywhere on the battlefield to anywhere via the "Tactical Internet" network that routes the data. The applied algorithms of routing and relaying allow to overcome the limitations of the range of direct radio visibility.
To ensure interaction with the Air Force and cover the actions of its forces from the air at the brigade level and above, an A2C2S air command post is being organized on the basis of the UH-60 helicopter in the US Army, which provides automated control of army aviation in combat airspace and coordination of its use to support forces in combat operations, as well as the management of military operations on the ground. VKP for commanders of a corps, division or combined arms brigade based on the UH-60A (model 1978) and UH-60L (newer) helicopters are equipped with automation equipment weighing 816 kg. In total, according to the modernization plan, it is planned to equip 133 helicopters with it instead of 207 (as previously thought). Two prototypes of the system participated in the exercises of the experimental forces of the XXI century.
The VKP A2C2S equipment is functionally equivalent to a tactical command post and command and control combat vehicle (see below). In static mode (ground application), the A2C2S will remain inside the UH-60 and use rapidly deployable ground antennas. The VKP should ensure the interaction of commanders of corps, divisions, combined arms brigades and army aviation brigades, commanders of attack helicopter battalions.
Situational awareness of the battlefield without detailed information about the air situation in real time is impossible. Therefore, in early 2000, a tactical airspace integration system - TAIS (Tactical Airspace Integration System) was deployed, the functionality of which was limited to the management of combat operations of army aviation. In the future, they will be expanded to control ground units, as a result of which TAIS will be converted to A2C2S. Before it, a truck with 61V equipment was used in the SV (communication equipment and means for ensuring the manual control process of the 50s).
TAIS has a Sun/Solaris type operator workstation with a color display that shows three-dimensional symbols in real time against the background of an electronic terrain map. According to one of the functions, the system is an analogue of the airborne collision avoidance system used in civil aviation. When the computer system predicts the possibility of conflicts in the airspace, the operator is automatically notified: flight routes, routes, zones are displayed
The MLRS and the trajectory of their projectiles have artillery barrage zones. She also prevents unintentional fire on her aircraft. Documented cases of enemy aircraft being hit by artillery fire are difficult to detect, but as the pace of hostilities increases, the risk increases.
The system makes extensive use of off-the-shelf components that are further developed to a level that meets the requirements of CB. In particular, to solve the problems of air traffic control, an advanced three-dimensional dynamic airspace management system (DAMS i Dynamic Airspace Management System) from Raytheon Systems, used in the commercial sector, in the US Air Force and Navy, is used. As a result, the ground forces have demonstrated their ability to control airspace above the altitude level agreed with the Air Force during combat operations. Previously, the distribution of heights was the exclusive prerogative of the Air Force, and with poor coordination of actions with the NE, the lower border dropped almost to the ground.
The US Army also has an air defense system integration subsystem that receives data from the AFATDS and FAADS C31 automated control systems, AWACS and E-2 aircraft and enters them into the TAIS database, which is a Sybase commercial finished product, as well as a flight planning subsystem (corridor routes, used by medical evacuation aircraft and helicopters, AWACS aircraft patrols, close air support, air refueling, UAV departure and landing areas, MLRS and ATACMS missile launch areas). Most of the system is ready-made military developments, and. in addition, it is being finalized in accordance with the tasks performed. Communication equipment includes ready-made elements of MSE, SINCGARS, space communications, radio stations of KB and VHF bands. For example, a TAIS ground station may receive data from an ATC radar. When placing the AN / PCS-5 Spitfire terminal, it is possible to receive data from the JSTARS system through the spacecraft.
The contract for the production of the first three TAIS systems was concluded in the amount of $ 2 "million with the Integrated Systems Division of Motorola. In total, the SV plans to purchase 38 systems for the division level and above. The control center with TAIS equipment can also be located in two Humvee trucks ".
Aviation control systems include the AMPS army aviation flight mission planning system. It is a software and hardware complex based on a wearable computer (laptop), which provides a graphical display of the combat space picture against the background of electronic topographic maps of various scales, as well as planning and selecting flight routes, calculating, for example, fuel consumption taking into account air temperature, humidity and pressure, development of a communications management plan. Special software is compatible with on-board computers for inputting planning files into aircraft equipment. Data
can also be transmitted in flight, thereby redirecting aircraft.
For complete and objective evaluation situation, in addition to combat information, the commander needs detailed information about the conditions of the relief and the nature of the terrain, meteorological and hydrological data. So, to display and analyze weather data and documents, develop general weather forecasts, warnings about changes in it, analyze the impact of these changes on planned and ongoing fighting and the issuance of appropriate messages to commanders in the US Army, an integrated meteorological system IMETS is being introduced, which has been developed since 1994. Its prototype has been used in experiments on advanced forms of warfare at the national training center since March 1997. It is deployed, as a rule, at the main command post of the corps or division and is connected to the ATCCS army corps automated control system and the GBS global broadcasting system.
Data and images of meteorological spacecraft are periodically updated. Their use, together with data from millimeter-wave sensors, makes it possible to assess the terrain, snow depth, soil moisture, area and intensity of precipitation. Real-time vertical sounding data (velocity, direction and temperature of air flows in different layers of the atmosphere) can be used in planning air raids and firing at a great depth of enemy defenses. Special software allows you to present daily weather forecasts in a graphical form that is easy to understand. The images received from military and civil meteorological spacecraft are annotated taking into account the plan of ongoing operations and transmitted to consumers. The IMETS system provides convenient access to specialized meteorological documents developed for various units, sorted in accordance with the functional purpose of these units in links from a company to a division.
During the exercises in the units, images were most intensively used high resolution area of operations, indicating the daily forecast. Meteorological documents for reconnaissance agencies involved in reconnaissance training for combat operations included data from meteorological observations, cloud cover, weather events dangerous for flights (turbulence, icing zones), current and forecast precipitation zones, snow depth, visibility, wind direction and speed. They were available to all links and were automatically transmitted at their request. Weather warnings and advisories were communicated in a circular fashion.
Topographic and geodetic information and special documents for performing specific tasks in order to provide terrain visualization from individual weapon systems to brigade, corps and above are provided to tactical and operational level commanders using the DTSS digital topographic support system. It also collects refined geographic data, manages and distributes geographic databases. Geographic Information System GIS (Geographic Information System), DTSS systems and software components for data analysis of species intelligence allow you to quickly process, analyze new data and generate
relevant documents, including the results of puppies inflicted strikes) for commanders in a combat situation. Available: data can be supplemented by information sources at the national and zonal levels. DTSS uses ABCS tactical and space communications to transmit pre-processed compressed data sets, receive surveillance data, and provide National Survey and Cartographic Survey standard and supplementary mapping documents, scanned mapping documents, and others.
The integration of various systems significantly complicates the process of their interfacing, ensuring the “seamlessness” of data transmission, and therefore there is a need to develop “systems management systems”. One of them is the ISYSCON integrated ACS control system, which provides automated control and synchronization of the operation of the equipment of many communication and control systems. It will be used in various links, performing the functions of planning and organizing the operation of the network, managing the distribution of frequencies (frequency patterns for systems with pulse-by-pulse frequency tuning) of the electromagnetic spectrum in the combat zone, managing the system and communications units, the operation of territorial networks, the secrecy of communications, the exchange between local computer networks of control points." ensuring their compatibility. The system will perform the functions of administering networks, establishing communication between technical means;. boards as part of the architecture of the ACS AK ATCCS and contributing to the rapid automated configuration of the network and its dynamic management during hostilities. The development of the system is evolutionary , as software elements grow in. As an additional requirement, planning and management of satellite communications resources is put forward.
The most important elements in the command and control system of troops (forces) are, as before, combat operations control centers (CMDC), command posts, and command and control vehicles. As part of the overall automation initiative, demonstrations of equipment are being held, including large-screen displays, collaborative scheduling tools using teleconferencing, to significantly increase bandwidth to each terminal based on Ethernet buses, distributed control of local and area area networks, tactical personal communication systems (wireless communication within and between the DBMS using the MSE communication system, connection of a commercial phone to the MSE switch for audio conferencing, wireless local area networks). Standardization of the hardware environment of the DBMS of a modular design is being carried out. (“They must not work in a combat situation, at any time of the day, under any climatic conditions, to ensure survivability, mobility, and the performance of equipment and personnel.
According to US military experts, all ground-based DBMS should have the following properties:
- mainly be equipped with standard equipment in the NE;
- interact and integrate with control systems, communications, computer technology, other means of ground forces, joint forces, joint military branches, systems of allies;
- provide flexibility of use so that commanders can group the modules of the DBMS in various configurations, and the equipment must be remote;
- to implement the concept of distributed DBMS, when the equipment is distributed over a distance of several tens to several hundreds of meters in one common area, but works as a whole;
- provide duplication of the functions performed to implement the concepts of a split DBMS and a center transferred by elements, according to which the modules of the “reduced” center continue to perform all the functions of a complete DBMS during its redeployment by constituent components, albeit with a lower capacity of processed information;
- have a roll-up and deployment time that is consistent with the requirements for the maneuverability of the units provided and survivability;
- to carry out effective management on the move for some elements of the overall structure of the DBMS, depending on the type of unit;
- provide communication between the elements of the DBMS in any configuration (concentrated or distributed);
- provide, if necessary, the possibility of a tactical teleconference;
- ensure the efficient use of the frequency spectrum by its radiating means while minimizing the time spent on the air, mutual interference, spurious emissions, etc.;
- have redundant opportunities for information routing within the DBMS;
- have redundant and uninterrupted power supplies for the most important components of the equipment (computers, communications, memory devices, and others);
- provide limited control of the microclimate within the DBMS and its components;
- all standard equipment should be located in containers in order to minimize the involvement of additional transport;
- have enough space for the life support of personnel, the placement of personal weapons, ammunition, food, water, etc.;
- have display facilities that ensure the collective work of the center's staff;
- use military and/or commercial power supplies; if necessary, provide hidden storage of secret documents and materials.
To increase the ability to control an automated division, new control vehicles are being put into service at the headquarters, from which a mobile command post and command center of the division are quickly formed. They have all the necessary set of equipment that provides continuous access to the division's distributed database and to a single picture of the operational (tactical) situation.
Two types of command posts are being developed. The VS Combat Command Vehicle V (Battle Command Vehicle) is a highly mobile tool for brigade and battalion commanders. Its on-board systems can accurately track their own and enemy vehicles, receive operational and intelligence information from the division's TsUBD, communicate with forward units and, if necessary, exchange information with higher and neighboring headquarters. There are two versions of the BCV - based on the BMP MZ "Bradley" (for brigade commanders and commanders of infantry units) and based on the tank Ml A1 "Abrams"
(for commanders of armored units). Both versions have the same composition of automation and communication equipment (Applique computers, a CHSII universal computer, four SINCGARS radio stations, one SDR, MSE and EPUU telephones, a 21-inch flat color plasma display).
BCV is supposed to be equipped with reconnaissance workstations, MCS automated control systems, FBCB2 automated control systems, integrated into a local area network and sharing system information. The commander's flat display (shared use) for displaying a single picture of the operational (tactical) situation is located at the rear of the BMP-based BCV and at the front of the tank-based BCV. It is clearly visible to the personnel of the control group.
The C2V (Command and Control Vehicle) control vehicle is a mobile gearbox for placing the headquarters of an infantry unit based on the M4 vehicle on the MLRS MLRS chassis with a new 600 hp engine. With. and an onboard generator with a capacity of 43 kW. It is protected from the effects of WMD and equipped with the Vehicular Intra/Inter Communications System (VIICS), which provides a wireless local area network that combines up to six separate machines remote at a distance of up to 500 m. The system cost $ 4.9 million, it is planned to purchase 102 units.
C2V is being developed to provide command and control processes for fast maneuvering combined arms formations. It interfaces with five functional ACS AK ATCCS and is equipped in accordance with the combat mission for a specific control link. C2V equipment is configured in accordance with the program, so the machine can perform the functions of an air defense command post or artillery.
BCV and C2V must work on the move. A special role is given to interaction with the air defense ACS FAADS С31. The development of BCV has been underway since 1996, the creation of C2V has been suspended since 2001 due to lack of funds. By appearance BCV and C2V control vehicles must closely match conventional infantry fighting vehicles and tanks, and visibility in the radio frequency range must be significantly reduced so that the enemy cannot identify them as priority targets. So, the presence of an antenna switch allows four SINCGARS radios to work on one antenna.
Revealing the content of the vertical command and control of troops (forces) in the US Army, it is necessary to mention the automated information system, which should be equipped with every soldier in the forward tactical zone who directly performs combat missions. This is a first-generation field system that includes night vision devices, a specialized PC, communication devices and various information technology tools that increase survivability, combat capabilities, improve control and mobility of tactical groups. "Land Warrior" will be able to use rangers, paratroopers, light and mechanized infantry of "computerized" formations.
The computer and radio station, united in a common unit, are attached to the lower back. The computer connects to a laser rangefinder/digital compass and a TV camera sight and a thermal imaging device on the rifle. The helmet-mounted display shows in one eye what is visible through the scope of the rifle, and Additional Information from a computer (digital map, graphics, text, menu). This allows you to shoot from around the corner, sticking out only a hand with a rifle. There is a NAVSTAR system receiver that provides the computer with information about the location of the workstation. Reports on the location of other soldiers of the squad are also fed into the computer. When a target is detected, a laser rangefinder is directed at it and the symbol of the target appears on the display. The "mouse" button is located on the side of the rifle and is controlled by the fingers at the trigger, the microphone is attached to the mouth. Separate speech commands given to the computer are automatically recognized and control its operation. Using the menu and the "mouse", you can automatically generate various messages about the situation, status, new targets and more. The squad leader and two chiefs of rifle crews have hand-held computers with displays on which you can type text, draw routes to targets, etc., and also transmit this information to subordinates (for display in helmet-mounted displays).
In the future, the soldier's outfit will change color like a chameleon. The problem is that so far the mass of clothing and equipment of a soldier is 43-45 kg, together with batteries designed for 12 hours of work. The radio system with the required functionality for the squad leader currently has a mass of about 37 kg and is installed in combat platforms. It includes SINCGARS ASIP radios, an INC (Internet Controller) routing system and a limited capacity battery. A lightweight kit should have a mass of no more than 24 kg and batteries weighing less than 1.4 kg for 72 hours of operation, but it is not yet possible to create it.
The cost of the kit reaches 45 thousand dollars, and in case of mass production, as the developers believe, it will drop sharply and will be less than 15 thousand. The software is being developed to work with processors used in personal computers. Based on commercial technologies, several specialized modules will be created to perform various tasks. The program is at the stage of full-scale development and is estimated at $1.9 billion (the first tests began in 1999).
The analysis of various automated control systems for troops (forces) of the ground component of the US Armed Forces, cited in the foreign military press, shows that a lot of experience has already been accumulated in the field of building automated control systems for the operational-strategic link, and the problems are close to being resolved. However, at the operational-tactical and tactical level, excluding, perhaps, air defense systems, there was practically no similar experience. Previously, this was due to the insufficient level of development of the technological base, and now - with insufficient funding. At the same time, the experience of wars and military conflicts of the last decade has convincingly proved that the solution of complex issues of command and control of troops and formations, as well as their interaction, is possible only with an integrated approach, and above all, automation of the control of those who first enter the battle is required. Recently, expensive projects being implemented in the United States are aimed precisely at this.

"Foreign Military Review" 2003 No. 9,10

Interim CEO United Holding "Radioelectronics" Grigory Elkin said that the start of serial deliveries of a new generation automated command and control system (ACS of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation) is planned by the state armaments program for 2025.

A unified automated control system is being created in Russia

military expert Alexey Leonkov in conversation with FBA "Economy Today" noted that all this suggests that in 2025 the RF Armed Forces will reach a fundamentally new technological level.

“The so-called automated command and control systems, which are hidden behind the abbreviation ACS, are not new to the domestic armed forces. On this basis, today, for example, the National Defense Control Center is functioning in our country, and the work of individual branches of the Russian army is being built, ”Leonkov states.

According to Alexei Petrovich, the Russian army has at its disposal an air defense automated control system, an airborne control system and an airborne control system, as well as such a thing as a unified tactical control system.

“These automated systems of the Russian army are currently only partially interacting, so by 2025 Moscow plans to create a single command and control complex that will include those automated control systems that already exist today,” sums up Leonkov.

Within the framework of a single system, all these separate ACS of the military branches will be integrated into each other, both vertically and horizontally, as a result of which they will be able to effectively interact.

The technological process requires the creation of automated control systems

All this is very important in the context of the future construction of the domestic armed forces, given that the technological level will increase, and a significant role will be played by robotic equipment, which will not be directly controlled by the crew.

It is enough to look at the developments that are going on in this direction in Russia today - these are not only attack or reconnaissance drones, but also robotic armored vehicles, as well as projects such as . This is a project of an unmanned submarine that will carry a nuclear charge with the task of causing unacceptable damage to the enemy's economy.

And this, not to mention the fact that the technological development of even the classical areas of military technology reaches a level where the availability of automated systems is vital.

We can recall the concepts of the sixth generation fighters, which involve the creation of a full-fledged combat link from attack drones and a leading manned combat aircraft.

In such a situation, the importance of ACS is very difficult to overestimate, so it is not surprising that the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is paying this important issue today.

The Russian concept of ACS has no analogues in the world

“In itself, this project of the Russian automated control system is unique, although it must be admitted that other countries of the world have something similar, albeit in a fragmented form. First of all, here it is necessary to name the United States, which also has an automated control system in the armed forces, but dispersed among different strategic commands, ”concludes Leonkov.

The Americans, as the expert notes, have an automated control system strategic forces- the so-called "nuclear triad", as well as a system for managing the receipt and storage of intelligence data coming to the Pentagon from satellites.

“Even in the United States, you can call an automated control system at the tactical level, but it has nothing to do with other American automated control systems. This suggests that the Americans also have such systems, but in their strategy, the main integration is along the line of communication, and not along the command of troops, as is the case with us. As a result, the Americans are trying to start all such projects in the context of unifying communications, and they will get an automated control system for the transmission of information, and not, in fact, the armed forces, ”Leonkov states.

Another issue is that, according to Elkin's statement, the development technical basis for such an automated control system should be completed by 2022, and in 2025 reach the level of mass production.

The Russian defense industry will be able to create the necessary element base

At the same time, here we are talking about microelectronics and other related industries, with which things were not very good in Russia even in Soviet times, despite all Moscow’s attempts to somehow level the technological gap that existed at that time with the United States and the West.

After the 1990s "happened", the situation became even worse - we lost several technological areas in the Russian industry, and when the issue of import substitution arose in 2014, it immediately became clear that it was simply impossible to replace part of the range of Western goods, and that in In such a situation, you need to look for alternative suppliers.

In addition, if we are talking about the military-industrial complex, then high-tech components were purchased here, the production of which was problematic in Russia.

“At the moment, this problem is being gradually solved in our country, and when Russia is coming talking about this technological direction, then such a microprocessor as Elbrus immediately comes to mind, so there is no doubt that by 2025 we will be able not only to create, but also to put into mass production the element base necessary within the framework of these works on the automated control system,” states Leonkov.

In addition, initially, all software for such systems was made in the expectation that sooner or later we will completely switch to the Russian element base.