Photo By Sgt. Cody Rowe | A U.S. Marine UH-1Z Viper shoots missiles at a marked target during Digitally Aided...... read more read more
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Marine Aviation and Weapons Tactics Squadron One Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course instructors conducted digitally aided close air support training, March 30.
DACAS gives personnel on the ground the opportunity to coordinate and mark targets for pilots, providing fluidity and allowing pilots to focus on mission execution.
“We take newer systems or programs of record and integrate them in order to conduct digital fires,” said Maj. Eben Buxton, a MAWTS-1 Air Officer Instructor. “We then take those systems, bring them to an area like OP Feets and conduct close air support using digital means. This allows us to develop Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures to operate with more lethality and survivability in environments where our adversaries have advanced [electronic warfare] and targeting capabilities.”
“The pilots are utilizing variable message format and a network called LINK-16,” said Marsh Mullins, a systems engineer with the Joint Staff, Joint Fires Division. “They are integrating these tools with their program of record, Target Hand-off System version 2, to conduct missions and targeting utilizing DACAS TTPs.”
DACAS is not limited to any specific type of aircraft, but can be conducted using a variety of fixed wing and rotary wing assets.
“We have F/A-18’s participating as well as UH-1Y platforms,” said Mullins. “We also integrated the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for several of the missions as well.”
This evolution allowed Marines to integrate standard systems with a newer LINK-16 radio which uses a more robust network making the user more lethal and survivable in a high threat environment.
“In the past, LINK-16 terminals were very large and hard to transport,” said Buxton. “For the first time, we have the opportunity to integrate the new, more transportable version of LINK-16 radio with our program of record THSv2.”
This integration not only assists in the execution of fire missions, but also aids in the interoperability between coalition forces when our troops work in a joint environment.
“Anytime [we] can be more definitive, reduce ambiguity and increase the accuracy of [our] weapons systems, we automatically reduce the possibility of collateral damage,” said Mullins. “This directly applies to times when we are training as a coalition. These systems allow better communication between all allies.”
The new systems being utilized allow for more definitive targeting when engaging the enemy, ultimately giving our pilots the upper-hand throughout the Air Combat Element.
“When we prepare to harm our adversaries, we want to do it with precision and accuracy,” said Mullins. “By employing digital communications [we] have the ability to visually see the target area, gain situational awareness quickly and target areas much faster, giving us an advantage in the air.”
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2018 12:32 |
| Story ID: | 271492 |
| Location: | CHOCOLATE MOUNTAIN AERIAL GUNNERY RANGE, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 522 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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