ARTICLE

January 2004

Advanced Technology Demonstrations Proven in Iraq

by Carolyn Maloney

The war in Iraq helped demonstrate several Defense Department research and development programs that started out more than a decade ago as Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations.

ACTDs were designed to identify and demonstrate the military utility of technologies aimed at solving problems documented by regional combatant commanders. If successful, ACTDs help to expedite the process of providing these technologies to the front lines.

A case in point is the Joint Precision Strike Demonstration (JPSD) project office, established in 1992. Based on lessons learned from Operation Desert Storm, the Defense Department’s director for defense research and engineering identified seven science and technology shortcomings, one of which was theater precision strike. This led to the JPSD and its present role in the ACTD process.

Leading this effort is the Army program executive office for intelligence, electronic warfare and sensors (PEO IEW&S).

For nearly a decade, the JPSD has sought to identify and develop ACTDs to improve sensor-to-shooter precision strike processes, a mission that continues today. JPSD has since expanded into other relevant technology areas such as terrain visualization, urban reconnaissance, unmanned aerial vehicles, simulation based acquisition and other rapid prototyping projects.

JPSD contributions to Operation Iraqi Freedom included command and control systems for U.S. forces, supporting intelligence decision makers throughout the conflict. JPSD has averaged 50 deployed PEO IEW&S personnel in Iraq since fall 2002. The organization continues to maintain a significant presence in theater, providing assistance to reconstruction and humanitarian efforts.

Two other ACTDs that contributed to the operations in Iraq are the Theater Precision Strike Operations (TPSO) and Joint Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (JISR) systems.

TPSO is based on the Automated Deep Operations Coordination System (ADOCS), which provides interfaces to facilitate coordination between multi-service targeting systems and mission software tools. During the combat phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, approximately 1,200 applications were installed in Central Command’s joint and component headquarters.

The JISR technology is being used in Iraq to help improve the quality of battlefield intelligence. JISR is a Web-based application that lets commanders see the location of blue and red forces. It operates on the SIPRNET classified network.

Although not an ACTD, the Central Command deployable headquarters project is an example how the Joint Precision Strike Demonstration can respond to war-fighter requirements.

Within 10 months of receiving the tasking, JPSD delivered the CDHQ system to, presently deployed in Qatar, to support the commander and his staff. CDHQ supports real-time strategic situational awareness and provided a platform for Central Command to plan the campaign.

In March 2003, the JPSD project office was asked by the Office of Coalition and Provisional Authority (OCPA), based in Baghdad, to provide a semi-deployable headquarters and three first-responder vehicles for interim transitional civil assistance. A rapid response program was initiated to provide the infrastructure for the OCPA headquarters in Iraq.

The OCPA headquarters consists of network servers and robust communication capabilities that include telephone infrastructure for 250 people, commercial satellite connectivity and audiovisual resources. The three first-responder vehicles will be used as incident management and civil responder assets for OCPA, envisioned to operate in the north, south and center of Iraq.

JPSD will continue to support Defense Department requirements and the ACTD process. Future strategic plans include work in the areas of intelligence and sensor fusion, dynamic sensor management, effects based operations and modeling and simulation support to Army and joint programs.

Additional information about JPSD can be obtained on the Web site at https://peoiewswebinfo.monmouth.army.mil/jpsd/jpsd.htm.—by Carolyn Maloney

Carolyn Maloney is a contractor working for the Joint Precision Strike Demonstration project office, in Fort Belvoir, Va.

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