Technologies
Tuesday 9th November 2010, 1600hrs–1730hrs
Chaired by George McNamara Command Tactical Picture Compilation - Exploiting Environmental and Threat Information to Build a Near Real-Time Interactive Underwater Picture Mr. Peter Cosgrove, Thales Underwater Systems, United Kingdom The increased performance of modern sonars, coupled with the challenges presented by littoral-water operations presents a complicated tactical picture for both command and sonar operators. Tactically relevant information such as that provided by environmental models and the properties and capabilities of opposition platforms has been available for many years, but it is only now that the computational processing capacity to exploit this information in near real time has become available. Thales Underwater Systems looks at techniques in which this complex and multi-dimensional data can be made available and displayed in an easily understandable format and ways that the sonar operator can interact intuitively with this data to optimise sonar performance. A Revolution in Sub-Hunting: IDAS (Interactive Defence & Attack System for Submarines) Dr. Joerg Brechtefeld, Diehl Defence Holding, Germany Download Author Biography (PDF) Submarines of today and tomorrow require not only advanced sensors but also a more flexible weaponry. IDAS is a fibre-optic guided missile system for submarines to be deployed against ASW-helicopters, as well as surface and coastal targets. The high data transfer rates possible with fibre-optic technology enable images to be sent from the missile to the weapon control console. IDAS is therefore equipped with an infrared camera that allows the operator to monitor the entire flight until the missile hits its target. The operator “sees” virtually “through the eye” of the missile. The operator uses this optical information for reconnaissance purposes, but he can also overrule the automatic target detection system of the seeker and select and identify the target himself and correct the precise point of impact when the target becomes increasingly clearer and larger as the missile gets closer. With the help of these capabilities a major effect can be achieved even with a relatively small warhead. A further advantage is that damage to third parties can largely be avoided and it is possible to largely prevent collateral damage. Underwater Defence of Naval Forces in Stationary Operations Mr. Hilvert Jan Fitski, TNO Defence, Security & Safety, Netherlands H.J. Fitski, TNO Defence, Security and Safety, The Netherlands During the past two decades the global security situation has seen some drastic changes. The operational scope of the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) has expanded from operations on the open seas to operations both on the open seas and in littoral waters. A considerable part of the relevant operations now take place outside NATO territory. Traditional anti-submarine warfare on the open seas is based on a mobile task group in transit in which the opponent’s operations are restricted by the speed of advance of the task group. After arrival in the littoral, however, the task group operates stationary, e.g. as part of a sea base. Such stationary operations are relatively new and new types of problems emerge: different types of threat may come from various directions, the possibility of blue-on-blue engagements increases, current sensor and weapon systems have not been optimised for stationary operations, etc. The Netherlands Ministry of Defence is interested in current operational and technical shortfalls, and possible future operational and technical improvements in underwater defence in the littoral. The research programme Underwater Defence in Expeditionary Scenarios aims at building up operational and technical knowledge on the defence of existing RNLN forces against the underwater threat when performing stationary operations after arrival in the littoral. The research programme is executed through a number of interrelated work packages focusing on threat assessment and scenario analysis, implementation of current underwater defence tactics and possible improvements in TNO’s Underwater Warfare Testbed (UWT), and qualitative and quantitative assessment of these tactics. This paper will give an introduction to and the background of the research programme, and then focuses on results and insights gained from the quantitative assessment of underwater defence tactics. Moreover, a number of examined underwater defence tactics will be demonstrated with the help of the UWT.
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