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2017-12-05

Counter IEDs:New Technological Approaches to Asymmetrical Warfare

An improvised explosive device (IED) is an unconventional explosive weapon that can take any form and be activated in a variety of ways. IEDs target soldiers and civilians alike, continuing to be the weapon of choice for adversary networks. This phenomenon is likely to continue for decades, either with the IED as the only threat or combined with others within a hybrid complex scenario.

An IED can be hidden anywhere: in animals, planted in roads or strapped to a person. They can be detonated via cell phones or trip wires, amongst other methods, and can be deployed anywhere, whether in a combat environment or in the middle of a busy city.

The design of IEDs and their trigger systems range from the simple to the technologically developed. In general, production costs are low using components such as military ammunition (mines or artillery shells) as well as freely available chemical components that can be combined to make explosives.

Use of IEDs

IEDs have already been used for many decades in civil wars and conflicts worldwide. Nonetheless, the casualties caused by IEDs have a cumulative effect when deployed in a military campaign. Thus, their use is key for modern terrorist and insurrectionary movements in their fight against technologically-superior conventional forces.

The adaptability of IEDs to almost any situation makes them difficult to detect and stop. Consequently, NATO members and partners have employed several methods to augment their counter-IED capabilities. For example, the Emerging Security Challenges (ESC) Division has put in place several scientific initiatives that focus on developing sensors to detect explosives before they can claim lives.

Counter-IED initiatives thus bring together research, testing and training conducted at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, the Supreme Allied Command Transformation (SACT) in the U.S. as well as various Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and NATO agencies. These different commands, agencies and divisions have focused on training and developing the technology designed to defeat IEDs. They also share information and bring together non-NATO actors to disrupt the paramilitary networks in question before IEDs kill or injure troops and civilians.

The following presentation covers some of the latest technology used in countering IEDs:

GroundEye IED Detection

Raytheon’s GroundEye is a modular, non-invasive tactical manoeuvre support capability. It enable real-time detection, confirmation and diagnosis of Explosive Ordnance (EO) hazards, IEDs, mines and other buried/concealed threats.

The GroundEye system enables EO specialist high-threat search and disposal operators to view the exact position, orientation, size and shape of all individual components of an emplaced or suspected EO hazard in real-time – this can include an IED or other buried threat.

Designed for day/night operation, GroundEye delivers extremely high-definition, easy-to-interpret imagery. Moreover, it can be operated entirely from a rugged tactical computer, by automatically placing geo-tags on all EO hazard/IED imagery for easy After-Action Review and intelligence collection.

The system can be deployed in three ways:

* As a portable tripod-mounted capability for a dismounted EO search-and-disposal operator

* With remote stand-off Confirmation and Diagnosing capability installed upon any small/medium-sized Remote-Controlled Vehicle Unmanned Ground Vehicle

* In an array-mounted configuration with any type of GPR-array antenna to enable the host system to access enhanced IED detection via full confirmation and diagnosing capability

GroundEye is modular, which means that its fully-open architecture allows for wider usage when coupled with different primary sensors. These sensors include Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Non-Linear Junction Detectors (NLJD) or Command Wire (CW) detection systems.

The system’s detection capability incorporates all the existing improvised pressure plates (high, medium, low and zero metal content), as well as battery packs and main charges. Therefore, in offering the highest probability of detection with extremely low false alarm rates, the baseline system comprises of:

* A GroundEye sensor for imaging the target

* A light source capability which utilizes laser imaging technology to illuminate the area of interest

* A compact Tactical Acoustic Source

* A compact tactical display/processor with intuitive tactical user interface

* A power system appropriate to the user’s requirement

Northrop Grumman JCREW Systems

The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a $57.7 million contract for full-rate production of the Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (JCREW) Increment One Build One Systems. The contract, awarded by the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), includes options bringing the total value to $505 million.

On September 28 2017, Northrop Grumman received an additional $267.6 million for full-rate production in support of the Navy’s Expeditionary Warfare Program Office. Northrop Grumman will produce the systems in San Diego and complete the work by August 2022.

JCREW systems are software-programmable jammers providing protection from device-triggered improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Northrop Grumman has developed dismounted, mounted and fixed-site variants to protect war-fighters on foot, vehicles and permanent structures. For instance, the Increment One Build One system uses an open architecture-integrated design to maximize commonality across the variants, reducing life-cycle costs and providing increased protection against worldwide threats.

JCREW systems are fully in use today, providing protection from unmanned airborne systems (UAS) in support of the growing counter-UAS mission. Their demonstrated multi-mission capability thus highlights the programmability and versatility of these advanced electronic warfare systems.

SMART Vehicle Protection

Hensoldt’s SMART Jamming Technology monitors communication signals to prevent triggering RCIEDs in its frequency range. The monitors of Hensoldt’s VPJ family emit jamming signals to suppress any RCIEDs that might be triggered, so preventing a possible assassination attempt.

The VPJ-R provides a unique combination of conventional (active) and responsive (reactive) jamming. Indiscriminate conventional barrage jamming is performed is most suitable against known and very dense threat bands.

Nonetheless, in utilizing this combination, SMART jammer systems enlarge the protection bubble significantly in comparison to traditional barrage jammers. Moreover, they avoid all the risks of purely responsive jammers, entailing that SMART jammers not only have the capability to protect the vehicle or person carrying the jammer but can also protect vehicles and persons in front of and behind the jammer system.

The system stays protected by the VPJ while it records the complete observed spectrum in parallel for later analysis and RCIED jamming effectiveness improvement. In addition, time and location information from an internal GPS receiver is recorded, providing the customer with track-based information about emitter power and critical hotspots.

Symphony Block 40

Symphony Block 40 is a technologically-advanced, open-architecture system developed by Lockheed Martin to address new and emerging threats. This system jams select or multiple electronic signals simultaneously to prevent radio-controlled (RC) IEDs from being triggered.

The jammer is a small, vehicle-mounted system with an open architecture design that provides continuous coverage across the entire threat spectrum. It has also updated its capabilities for maximum effectiveness, security and response.

In an unpredictable future, the United States and its allies rely on Symphony to protect war-fighters. Indeed, the Symphony product line is the only counter-IED systems of its kind approved by the U.S. government for foreign military sale to allied, coalition and partner nations with more than 4,500 Block 10/20 variant systems currently supporting U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas of conflict.

Lockheed Martin provides global electronic warfare solutions through a unique open architecture product platform and open business model. On land, in the air and at sea, Lockheed Martin pioneers advanced technologies to control the electromagnetic spectrum and develop disruptive technologies to outpace adversary threats.

SRC’s CREW System

The AN/VLQ-12 Counter Remote-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (CREW) Duke system is a vehicle-mounted, lightweight system. SRC’s system neutralises RCIED threats to give U.S. troops a tactical advantage across the full spectrum of operations.

The CREW system uses an advanced software-defined architecture that supports rapid reconfiguration so adapting to a constantly evolving threat environment. SRC engineers have continued to enhance the Duke system with programming upgrades to provide lifesaving protection against the full range of remote-controlled improvised explosive device threats.

This vehicle-mounted, lightweight system thus utilizes state-of-the-art jamming technology to neutralize RCIED threats. Moreover, the Duke system was selected as one of the U.S. Army’s Top 10 Greatest Inventions in both 2005 and 2009, while CREW engineers continue to enhance this mission critical system.

The CREW Duke was originally designed to minimize size, weight and power while optimizing performance. Moreover, the system is simple to operate and mount into a wide variety of military vehicles. The most widely fielded and reliable system today has thus played a critical role in reducing the number of RCIEDs detonated.

Harris EGON Active Reactive counter-IED

The Harris EGON is a counter-improvised explosive device (IED) system addressing all the current and emerging radio-controlled IED threats. It is about half the size and weight of prior systems, consuming half their power. Moreover, EGON has been operationally deployed since mid-2010 and can be tailored to meet individual mission requirements in less than 15 minutes.

The EGON counter-IED system offers proven operational capability. The EGON’s small size, weight and module separation enable various installation configurations, while the modular concept is suitable for real-time mission tailoring.

Although the EGON operates in silent mode, it also offers a Remote Visual Alert (RVA) for high noise environments. Moreover, Harris’ system can be repaired to board level in the field.

REDWING Force Protection

Under Australia’s Department of Defense REDWING programme, Micreo and Defence Science and Technology have developed low-cost, robust and lightweight force protection systems for use in austere operating environments. Military and police units can opt for the lightweight, handheld GREENGUM to equip dismounted forces, while the more powerful GREYGUM device is to be fitted to light vehicles.

As part of L3’s Sensor Systems business segment. Micreo is a world leader in high-quality RF design and production. It has also developed photonic products for radar and electronic warfare systems where, from its plant in Brisbane, Micreo works with customers to design leading-edge product for extreme environments.

Micreo has installed its products in several front-line military aircraft. Their systems function with minimal operator training and limited logistical support. Thus, a significant quantity of these counter-improvised explosive devices has already been deployed extensively by the Afghanistan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF).

Saab’s MCMV 80

Today, a wide variety of mine types are deployed in waters all around the world, many highly advanced. There is hence growing demand for enhanced Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Systems of the sort designed by Saab, a long-time supplier to the Royal Swedish Navy.

With decades of experience in designing and building world-class Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs), Saab supplies the toolbox needed to clear waters and ensure mission success. The Swedish company has proven expertise in the design and production of full composite ships with low, shockproof signatures, such as the MCMV 47 of the Swedish Landsort and Koster class, as well as the Singaporean Bedok class.

A good track record of a well-integrated toolbox in unmanned vehicles indicates that Saab’s MCMV80 can be tailored to a wide range of different missions. Containerized mission modules enable operations to be conducted both in the minefield and outside, adding logistic and reconnaissance operation capabilities to a helicopter flight deck or a UAV hangar.

Two stern ramps and a launching crane enable the launch of ASUV, ASV, ROV and Rib’s or interceptors. This flexibility makes the MCMV 80 the perfect platform for a wide range of manned and unmanned operations, with a focus on supporting lean operations. In naval operations, the operator room and the bridge are integrated in one ‘superbridge’ to facilitate communication, enhancing situational awareness and navigation, as well as optional flotilla command.

The MCMV80 follows Saab’s evolutionary design approach, introducing innovative ideas step by step alongside proven designs. This approach enables Saab to provide next generation solutions with low technical risk and without having to recycle obsolete technology or ideas.

Moreover, the MCMV80 can be delivered with various levels of signature management, from lower MCM signatures and less stringent requirements up to the highest shockproof requirements and stealth capabilities. Thus, the increased use of unmanned vehicles, the rise of anti-submarine warfare and more rigorous mission requirements have led to increased demand for the addition of sub-systems to MCMVs.

Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) are now being used as a tethered Propelled Variable Depth Sonar (PVDS) to run ahead of the MCMV, complementing the hull-mounted sonar on board. The MCMV will soon be compatible with autonomous, non-tethered vehicles, such as SAROV, while both the MCMV 47 Koster class and MCMV 52 enhanced Koster class can be used in conjunction with ROV systems to help prepare naval crews for any situation.

ECLIPSE’s next-gen Jammer

The ECLIPSE counter-IED system developed by Thales is built around a new-generation jammer preventing improvised explosive devices from being detonated by remote control. The moment an IED is detected, ECLIPSE jams radio signals across a wide range of frequencies without interfering with the radio communication systems used by friendly forces. The ECLIPSE system recently reached a key milestone in the BARAGE programme, led by the French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency (DGA), with the successful completion of qualification testing. BARAGE will provide additional protection from radio-controlled IEDs, one of the major threats faced by forces deployed in conflict zones today.

The TRC 6274HJ hybrid active/reactive inhibition system has been commercially designated as Eclipse to provide full band coverage between 20-250 MHz with options up to 6000 MHz and accepting an input voltage range of 18-36V. It offers scalable and modular open architecture enabling the expansion of defensive capabilities by adding new functions to the system as threats evolve. These functions include four independent transmitters, embedded capability with combat net radio system, easy vehicle installation and spectrum sensing capacity.

The BARAGE electronic protection is intended to equip vehicles procured by the DGA as part of the SCORPION program. In addition, BARRAGE is expected provide protection to VBMR Léger 4x4 (Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôle) multirole light tactical vehicles and VBAE (Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement) fire support vehicles to be purchased by the DGA.

The system will fit the Griffon and Jaguar 6x6 armoured vehicles being developed by a consortium formed by Nexter Systems, Renault Trucks Defense and Thales. It has formed part of the contract awarded by the DGA in December 2014, alongside the Leclerc main battle tanks modernized by Nexter Systems to the Leclerc Rénové (XLR) standard. Moreover, it may be retained for the planned modernization of Nexter Systems VBCI (Véhicule Blindé de Combat d’Infanterie) 8x8 infantry fighting vehicles.

Now fully qualified for use in hostile environments, ECLIPSE is a compact device ideally suited for integration on board any type of light or armoured vehicle. ECLIPSE jammers are already in operation within the armed forces of several other countries and will equip a number of French Army vehicle types, including the future Griffon and Jaguar vehicles under development for the SCORPION programme.

The Counter-IED Market

According to industry think-tanks, the counter-IED market is projected to grow from USD 1.78 billion in 2017 to USD 2.03 billion by 2022. The growth of asymmetric warfare and the increasing incidence of terror attacks across the globe are the factors expected to drive the growth of the counter-IED market. Yet countering IED is not just about stopping or neutralising it once in place, it also about identifying and disrupting the networks that create and initiate IEDs.

Understanding the various threat networks on a tactical or strategic level is vital to success in current and future operations where battle lines are no longer linear. Thus, organisations working to counter IED use not only focus on reducing the frequency and severity of IED attacks, but also target the networks that facilitate them.

Reference Text/Photo:www.raytheon.com,www.northropgrumman.com,www.harris.com,www.saabgroup.com

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