Soldier’s Digital Assistant (SDA) Convoy Situation Awareness and Voice Communication for IED Damage Prevention, Mitigation and Response… Naval Research Labs April 8, 2005

IED Threat In January 2005 alone, guerillas in Iraq have set off 974 of the jury-rigged weapons - forty-one percent of the insurgents' attacks, the New York Times says. More than half of U.S. casualties in Iraq are from IED strikes, according to estimates from the Lexington Institute. According to D-SECDEF, this is the DoD’s #1 Priority…

The Need “The focus should be on prolonged low-intensity conflict and on systems tailored for small combat units, he said.” “The number one problem for soldiers is network-enabled battle command. Small units lack situational awareness technologies, such as Blue Force Tracking, a common operational picture and the ability to fuse disparate data. The flow of information in real time is a problem.” Brig. Gen. Philip Coker, director of capabilities development at the Training and Doctrine Command's Futures Center in Fort Monroe, Va. Excerpts taken from January 2005 National Defense Magazine Article. Click this text box to read entire article.

IED Threat Fallujah Urban Area Roughly 20 Sq Kilometers In Size Average City Block = 100 X 200 Meters Average Number of Fallujah City Blocks = 1000 653 total IEDs were found and detonated in Fallujah. The average number of IEDs found and/or detonated across Iraq per month from July to October [2004] was 772. 11 IED Factories were found.

Two Currently Fielded Capabilities The Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) AN/PSN 13 A Rockwell Collins Product Click the photo to view the DAGR Brochure The Icom Radio IC-F43G UHF Transceiver Click the photo to view the Icom Brochure Army Authorized to buy 43,000 units 5,000 Units on Order 14,000 Units Delivered 50,000 Units on Order

The Icom Radio History The Army needs reliable communications systems for urban operations, said Coker. Troops were sent to war with a squad radio, produced by Icom America Inc. But that radio proved so ineffective that the soldiers resorted to a $60 Sony walkabout, which works at ranges of 3 kilometers and is compatible with Army frequencies, said Coker. “Here we have the only way for these kids to talk because the Icom radio we bought them is hideously useless,” he said. In order to use the radio, soldiers had to turn off the jammers in the vehicles, because otherwise the radio could not function. “That is criminal. We have failed our soldiers.” The Army, however, proceeded to buy another Icom radio, this time produced by the Japanese Icom company. Now, the Icom 43 is “wonderful,” Coker said. The Army plans to buy 43,000 during the next three months. Excerpts taken from January 2005 National Defense Magazine Article. Click this text box to read entire article.

DAGR, designed for the Warfighter. DAGR Summary DAGR, designed for the Warfighter. Reduced Warfighter Loadout for 72 hour missions As compared with PLGR, 3.5 lbs less Unmatched Savings -- $700M for Program $4700 Battery Savings per DAGR over PLGR during its 10 year service life. Ease of Use in the field Electronic Map/Sat Images Electronic compass Positional and Navigational confidence Anti-Jam Features Increase GPS Utility Fast Acquisition and User Feature Set are familiar to Commercial GPS Users Commitment to continuous Product Improvement

DAGR Physical Attributes DAGR’s design is the result of over 11 years of user feedback and lessons-learned. <25 cu. Inches <1 lbs. (15 ounces) including batteries Large Graphics LCD Survives POL, NBC, HEMP environments Wide -32 to +70 °C. operation >25,000 hr. MTBEFF demonstrated (80%) Very High Display Impact Protection and Improved Scratch Resistant Lens 14 hrs (22 hrs typical) continuous track / 4 AA batteries 144hrs (200 hrs typical) at 4 fixes/hr track <10 sec Direct-Y Hotstart Acquisition <15-30 sec typical Direct-Y Warmstart Acquisition >50 dB J/S Tracking L1 and L2 Simultaneous Dual Frequency Reception 12 Channel Parallel Tracking Signal Processing Jammer Detector and Pointer Internal Electronic Compass Web based downloads and DAGR to DAGR reprogramming Targeting, LRF and CAS9-Line Growth for FO/FAC, GLS/survey capable Serial Port compatibility with PLGR integrations DAGR and Accessories fit within existing PLGR volumes

IC-F43GT Features Typical Operating Range* Power 1W 2W Urban The IC-F43G series covers a wide frequency range in one version (Two versions available, 400–470MHz or 450–512 (520) MHz). The 256 memory channel capacity with 16 memory banks allows you to divide and store a variety of flexible channel groupings. Easy memory channel selection with a simple rotation of the rotary channel knob. Typical Operating Range* Power 1W 2W Urban Environment 1 km 2 km Rural 2-3 km 5 km *Range may vary based on environment

What is the Soldier’s Digital Assistant Two proven devices combined to give the warfighter a solution that’s greater than the sum of its parts! Voice Communication Navigation Capability Situation Awareness + =

Soldiers Digital Assistant (SDA) Secured position and status reporting to squad leader for passage to upper-level FBCB2/BFT systems BFT-coordinated commands via voice from squad leader to individual soldiers Potential to use SDA systems for IFF and CSAR actions at individual soldier level 001 Moving forward 002 Moving left 004 Halt and return 000 Enemy at XXXXX UNIT SELECT: XXX MSG TEXT: ____________ Networked position and status exchange of spot report data, enemy locations, and self location Enhanced GPS-based position by exchange of data between soldiers Exploits existing capabilities of DAGR GPS handheld to reduce need for similar-functionality equipment via DAGR-extension “backpack” data link Secured text and voice comm within squad SDA Leverages the Competencies of 14,000 (And Growing) Delivered DAGR Units by Offering New Capabilities for Individual Soldiers at a Significant Cost Savings Over Existing Methods

Mechanical Design Considerations Eliminates the need to carry multiple devices Units affixed to eliminate the need for cables Weight Entire System ~23 oz. Same batteries utilized by both systems (AAs) The radio’s speaker, microphone, keyboard, display eliminated The integration of the two units is being carefully planned to allow retrofitting of existing DAGRs with the radio in the field Pass-through of serial cable allows for use of existing peripherals

SDA Applications / Benefits Individual situational awareness/BFT minimizes friendly fire and creates a very low cost IFF (Interrogation Friend or Foe) system Can interrogate by voice OR data Squad leader visibility to local team members in real time allows more efficient field of fire laydowns and reduces decision time in planning attacks Facilitates combat search and rescue

SDA Applications / Benefits Allows for quick dispersal of troops to coordinate perimeters Price level consistent with the need to proliferate capability Use of existing equipment mitigates policy issues DAGR compliant with OSD GPS/SAASM Mandate dtd. October ’02 Frequency allocations presumed to be accommodated through Icom procurement SCA compliancy waiver presumed to be accommodated through Icom procurement

SDA System Specification Summary The SDA will display appropriate radio warnings The SDA will display up to 20 participant nodes with a unique identifier on a map or geo-rectified image and will indicate after a period of time that the node location has not been updated The SDA will mitigate the effect of hostile meaconing The SDA will share it’s position in two user selectable modes: On a user-defined timed interval basis When the Push-to-talk button is released The SDA can command all other participant nodes to send position report under the following modes: Under a one time only position request On a continual periodic basis The SDA will allow user control of encryption and radio transmit power

Summary The SDA will greatly benefit the warfighter Designed to be cost effective allowing for wide-scale proliferation based on affordability Leverages already significant investment in fielded DAGRs Provides for greater capability at lower echelons Facilitates efficient operations based on situation awareness which should relieve burden Rockwell Collins has fully supported this development Capability and affordability of solution suggested that we should begin ASAP for the benefit of the warfighter Rapid prototypes in hand Established data communication capability (not available in off-the-shelf Icom radio) Domestic (US) demonstration capability available 26 April 2005 Planning for 55 units to be available 1 June 2005 for field trials Material for production representative SDAs being placed on order

Backup

SDA Modifications to Icom 43 Radio Modifications to the Icom 43 Radio for use in the SDA Module Include the Following. Removal of Internal Speaker and Microphone Elimination 4 Function Buttons Transfer of Radio Command & Control Functions from Radio to DAGR Unit Movement of Push-to-talk radio button from radio to in-line headset

RCI Past Experience RCI has significant experience in navigation, GPS, communications, network data exchange, human factors, and soldier systems RCI has performed successfully in several past programs related to the overall SDA concept IRIS PLGR position exchange for location reporting/SitAw (Canada/CDF – 1997-2001) Lightforce tactical PDA proposal (RCI-1998) Bowman in-vehicle GPS HH device for position reporting (2001-2004) PLGR LAN GPS HH based situational awareness for MOUT (1998) LPI COM/NAV Handset (for DARPA-1993 / used GPS PRN to enable secure comm) Individual Soldier Radio (ISR) (for CECOM – 1996) GLOMO (DARPA ITO – 1997-1999) Soldier Phone (DARPA – 1997-2001) / FPGA based device in PCMCIA

Projected SDA Roadmap of Enabling Technology and Functional Capabilities * FY05 FY06 FY07 COTS radio integration w/ DAGR RCI/SNL radio and protocol development DAGR ICD and HMI modifications ICD modifications for BFT interfacing Voice/data security coding and layering development Enabling technology to create functions Waypoint utility extensions Distributed GPS DGPS broadcasting Dead reckoning module Targeting application extensions Chem/bio/IED sensing Tactile interface Sniper algorithms Improved position reporting accuracy Squad positions to each user Increased robustness of GPS position determination Improved fields of fire estimation via networked position and waypoint sharing Intra-squad short messaging of status and commands Increased security of operation Functional capabilities available Networked targeting accuracy error reduction via multiple spotter sharing Inter-squad capability only by use of common node participant Ability to use networked squad as sensor net for chem/bio/IED or sniper detection Security of radio and efficiency of data transmissions dependent on COTS radio only Improved efficiency of use via non-visual interface for navigation Full interface to upper tier tactical situational awareness / BFT network * Significantly more functional capabilities exist

Current COP (Common Operational Picture) Tactical Infrastructure – Upper Level L band link for BFT/Position Data GPS SATCOM C2 links for Tactical Internet and Voice Traffic In theater and strategic level command center C2 Data aggregation, command, and control (via ABCS/ GCCS databases, BFT, MTS, and GPRS control systems) Overall architecture under rework into WIN (Warfighter Information Network) EPLRS larger bandwidth tactical data/vox radios SINCGARS tactical data/vox radio MT-2011 L-band transceiver Handneld or embedded PPS GPS MTS Mobile Tracking Vehicular Terminal FBCB2/BFT Vehicular Terminal USMC M-DACT Mobile and Vehicular Terminal (embedded GPS and EPLRS) GPRS Search/Rescue Helo/Vehicular Terminal Voice / data link L band data link GPS receive link SATCOM / SV links Note commonality in four major positional tracking systems used by US armed forces

Current COP (Common Operational Picture) Tactical Infrastructure – Lower Level (USA, USMC) To Upper Level tactical network and voice communications USMC M-DACT Mobile and Vehicular Terminal (embedded GPS and EPLRS) FBCB2/BFT Vehicular Terminal (external GPS and SINCGARS/EPLRS) COMPANY COMMANDER / PLATOON LEADER USMC D-DACT Dismounted Terminal Mobile (embedded SINCGARS/EPLRS and GPS; non-networked voice com to SL) USA CDA (Current and Land Warrior) - (embedded L-band/BFT, SINCGARS, GPS; non-networked voice com to SL) PLATOON LEADER (PL) / SQUAD LEADER (SL) No individual BFT or use of positioning data; voice-only status and control; no dissemination of upper level data SQUAD LEADERS (SL) Individual non-networked voice radios and handheld GPS (on occasion) INDIVIDUAL SOLDIERS Individual non-networked voice radios (on occasion), no GPS Voice / data link

Current COP (Common Operational Picture) Tactical Infrastructure Both voice and data channels in existing infrastructures exhibit a “necked-down” bandwidth and availability model Command structure dictates availability and control of voice/data access Number of “upper level”-capable radios less as one goes lower Number of “lower level” radios desired more Bandwidth is lessened at the “lower level” tiers, power (thus range) is lessened, digitization and security typically less of concern due to short time value of information Command structure “Upper level” longer range voice and data radios and tactical network infrastructure Decreasing bandwidth and capability + Company + Platoon Squad Soldier Sensor Increasing need for individual positioning, close-range, secure comms “Lower level” short range voice-primary radios Quantity allocation Area of opportunity for short range voice + networked data radios with GPS positioning in small package Additional opportunity to “broaden the neck” and increase bandwidth at lower radio levels