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2014-10-01

SAMOC

Surface-to-Air-Missile Operations Centre

The Surface-to-Air Missile Operations Centre (SAMOC) is an air and missile defence management system specifically designed for joint and combined operations.

The SAMOC system optimises and increases the combat effectiveness of a mix of sensors and weapon systems in a common air defence zone by using state-of-the-art planning, multi data-link handling, advanced data processing and ergonomic display technologies.

Advanced Air Defence Management System

In the role of a mobile command and control centre for ground based air defence operations, SAMOC provides an integrated battle management capability which can be employed for both collective homeland and out-of-area operations.

The SAMOC product family of Airbus Defence and Space is an Application Software for air defence purposes and provides customized up to date solution for all operational levels (HQ to weapon execution). A permanent product maintenance is undertaken by Airbus Defence and Space to keep the system at the appropriate level of current technology and mission requirements.

Integrated Air Defence

SAMOC enables integration and fusion of air and missile defence command & control elements, sensors and weapon systems in a networked environment into one “System of Systems”. During all phases of operations and mission preparation, a high degree of technical, system and operational interoperability is established by using tactical data links, automatic military message processing and applying predefined procedures, rules of engagement respectively operational doctrines.

The network centric approach generates increased situational awareness, shared with all participating units, increased speed of command, maximum reliability of information forwarding, increased weapon system effectiveness and increased survivability of own and coalition forces against aerial threats.

SAMOC enables the whole cycle from operations preparation including training, force generation and mission planning until mission execution, monitoring as well as minute to minute control.It comes with automated tools and applications to support the operators in executing their tasks. Changes and experiences from recent operations can be incorporated in the next planning and/or training cycle.

SAMOC Functions

SAMOC provides integrated C2 capabilities that automate and integrate the performance of the following functions:

Force Operations

Force Ops (FO) provide state-of-the-art decision support tools for all staff functions

•Personnel

•Intelligence

•Operations

•Defence Design Planning

•Logistics

•Communications.

This enhances the planning, coordination and preparation of air and missile defence operat

ions. FO allows effective defence planning and optimisation capabilities for sensor, communication and weapon deployments. NBC evaluation and contamination calculation functions are included as well.

All planning functions are supported by automated Military Message Handling processing for seamless data exchange.

Defence and deployment planning can be validated using a closed-loop simulation to provide accurate analysis and evaluation results.

Engagement Operations

Engagement Ops (EO) provide real-time fusion and correlation of information from command & control, sensor and weapon systems with instantaneous decision support tools to reduce engagement times and to optimise engagement results, even for mixed systems with different performance parameters.

By using automatic conflict resolution and identification rules a Common Operational Picture (COP) is established. Advanced threat evaluation, weapon assignment and monitoring procedures increase the effectiveness of all air defence resources.

In EO a high degree of operational automation in air and missile defence operations has been implemented. EO interacts directly with FO. In an automated way EO takes all relevant information of FO into account for profound decision support. In any situation the operator is able to override the systems decisions or proposals.

Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence (TBMD)

The successful execution of anti-ballistic missile operations requires the integrated and netted operations of all available air and missile defence weapon systems.

SAMOC provides tools for planning TBMD missions and assigning defensive weapon systems against TBM targets.

The system is calculating TBM trajectories and thus able to provide their launch and predict their ground impact points. SAMOC supports integrated TBMD operations by ensuring the optimisation of all TBM engagement capabilities.

This functionality runs as a high priority task and allows that conventional Air Defence and TBMD can be executed concurrently.

Training and Simulation

SAMOC incorporates state-of-the-art training and simulation tools that allow real-time and interactive training and simulation.

The SAMOC training and simulation function allows cost-effective deployment preparation and rehearsals as well as training of personnel under realistic conditions.

Debriefing and analysis functions that assess operational and training results are included.

Mission Tailoring

Dependent on the customers operational needs, the flexible and modular system concept allows an individual configuration of the air and missile defence management system.

Consistent data and information superiority at each netted system

SAMOC provides an automated data replication function to distribute planning data to all levels. The relevant mission data will be synchronised between all nodes via the fielded SAMOC DATABASE CROSS UPDATE functionality that guarantees consistent and timely transmitted data.

In addition, SAMOC uses common non realtime structured data exchange to disseminate information with external partners, e.g. PATRIOT.

REACH-BACK Capability

The advanced SAMOC REACH-BACK capability for shared operations between forward C2 elements in the theatre of operations and rear C2 elements in the homeland significantly reduces the amount of own troops in the battlefield.

Though SAMOC operation centres can be split spatially, even over high distances. A coupling by shared databases and tactical data links via wide area networks (e.g. via satellite) provides a seamless collaboration of both elements. Thus, the SAMOC REACH-BACK capability still enables full situational awareness and command authority.

Operational flexibility and future extension

The SAMOC SYSTEM CONFIGURATOR allows the operator to incorporate all existing and future weapon systems into the system configuration. Effectors and weapon systems with their specific parameters can be added ad hoc and planned by the force operation functions FO depending on the changing situation without further system development. This key functionality is also used for optimizing fire distribution between all assigned weapon systems.

Scalability
SAMOC as in use by the German Air Force is delivered in standard mobile shelters in regards to a fail-safe redundant hardware concept. It is also used in fixed installations for training purpose and REACH-BACK operations. It is capable to operate on different C2-/C3I-levels on military of the shelf MOTS and COTS hardware.

Integration into other existing shelters, vehicles and existing facilities of forces’ inventories or even notebook installations are possible and are fielded as well, e.g. in Middle East countries.

Support

Airbus Defence and Space supports, maintains and enhances the SAMOC system and its functionalities to the latest operational needs and requirements in line with technological development.

Common Services / Communications

SAMOC provides MULTI DATA LINK capabilities that ensure interoperability between C4I and SAM systems (e.g. PATRIOT, army air defence systems, future SAM systems, and other coalition SAM systems).

The SAMOC MULTI DATA LINK Processor (MDLP) ensures integration of all relevant NATO standard data links as shown, thereby allowing effective participation in combined/joint military operations.

The open architecture allows cost-effective integration of NATO Partnership for Peace, non-NATO or other forces (e.g. GCC-systems) by connecting these systems with national or proprietary data links to SAMOC.

Operator Interface

The whole spectrum of tasks is organised in a flexible user-role-concept which allows the operator to choose among a large range of configurable operator roles at each workstation. Each configured role has a certain set of assigned system functionalities.

Dependent on the operational situation operators easily may change roles. The system allows login with multiple roles in parallel enabling cumulative execution of assigned functionalities and fast switching between the logged-in roles.

Role specific access restrictions ensure the maximum security and safety while handling classified operational data.

The Human Machine Interface HMI uses a modern Graphical Interface System (GIS). It can be easily adapted to different languages and it guarantees incorporation of latest maps coming from different sources (geographical institutions, satellites, intelligence…). The HMI is based on a modular and open architecture approach which combined with the meticulous adherence to standards, guarantees a very clean design implementation and a very fast speed of development.

Outlook

The Command, Control, Communications, Computer and Intelligence (C4I) vision is based on the requirements for joint, combined and multi-national operations in coalitions. In addition, the distribution of air operations information on networks is envisaged to achieve mandatory information superiority. SAMOC integrates surveillance and weapon platforms into military operation networks. Network participants will be able to participate in integrated air defence operations.

Conclusion

SAMOC is a state-of-the-art system that enables the integration of air defence operation forces into a multi-service and multi-national (e.g. NATO) environment. The open architecture and modular design of SAMOC permits evolutionary growth capabilities to meet future operational requirements.

SAMOC is acting as a force-multiplier increasing combat effectiveness, boosting lethality of existing weapon systems and providing enhanced survivability•

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