Simulation of Network Enabled Weapons and SPEAR Strike ...

Simulation of Network Enabled
Weapons and SPEAR Strike
Capabilities
Mr. John Davis
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Miss. Nicola Power
The Department of Psychology
Mr. James Davies
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Dr. Jason Ralph
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Prof. Lawrence Alison
The Department of Psychology

Simulation of Network Enabled
Weapons and SPEAR Strike
Capabilities
Mr. John Davis
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Miss. Nicola Power
The Department of Psychology
Mr. James Davies
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Dr. Jason Ralph
The Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Prof. Lawrence Alison
The Department of Psychology

Disclaimer
• I am an Engineer…

Contents
• Background
• Simulating Networked Weapon Systems
• The Remote Operator Terminal
• The Launch Acceptability Region
• The Re-Tasking Acceptability Region
• Testing Decision Making

Background
• SPEAR
– Selective Precision Effects at Range (SPEAR) is the Ministry of Defence’s
(MoD) research and development request for highly accurate, beyond visual
range re-targetable weapons which can receive target information updates
over a data-link (network) in near real-time as part of the UK’s “Network
Enabled Capability” (NEC) [1] .
• NEC
– “Network Enabled Capability (NEC) offers decisive advantage through the
timely provision and exploitation of information and intelligence to enable
effective decision-making and agile actions. NEC will be implemented
through the coherent and progressive development of Defence equipment,
software, processes, structures, and individual and collective training
underpinned by the development of a secure, robust and extensive network
of networks.” [2]
1: Defence Research 2009 Annual Conference and Exhibition. UK Ministry of Defence. Birmingham.
2: Ministry of Defence. Joint Service Publication 777 – Network Enabled Capability. MoD 2006.

Background
• Current state of SPEAR
– SPEAR Cap 1: Paveway Guided Bomb
– SPEAR Cap 2: Powered Missile
– SPEAR Cap 3: Requirement for retargeting via data links.
• MoD research on fitting PGB and Powered Missiles with data links has
already been carried out.
• Not unreasonable that the MoD might try to retrofit data link capabilities
into existing systems.

Simulating Networked Weapon Systems

Why we are doing this
• To investigate:
– Whether and how these systems can be used safely and reliably!
– Improve the ability of the operator and pilot to make the correct decisions in
the time required.
– Providing methods to reduce the risk of collateral damage.

Simulating Networked Weapon Systems
• Setup
– Weapon – Generic Guided Bomb Unit (GBU)
– Delivery Mechanism – Tornado GR4 (Piloted)
– Target – Generic SAM Launcher
– Intelligence Source – MQ-9 Reaper UAV Video Feed
– Remote Operator - HUMAN
• Simulation Software:
– Aircraft Simulation – FlightLAB (ART) & X-Plane 10
– Visualisation Suite – X-Plane 10
– Weapon Simulation – MATLAB
– Networking – Visual Studio & MATLAB

Simulating Networked Weapon Systems
• FlightLAB Aircraft Simulator

Simulating Networked Weapon Systems
• Avionics Testbed Facility

Simulating Networked Weapon Systems
• GBU Weapon Model

Remote Operator Terminal

Remote Operator Terminal
Tornado GR4 Fast-Jet
Attack Aircraft
MQ-9 Reaper UAV
Intelligence: Eyes on Target
GBU
Guided Free-fall Weapon
Remote Operator Terminal

Remote Operator Terminal
• Video Stream and Control Window

Remote Operator Terminal
• Map Window

Launch Acceptability Region (LAR)

LAR
Optimum - Ballistic
Minimum Range
Maximum Range
Cross Range
Reachable Set!

LAR
• In Practice
7km Min to Max Range
30 Seconds at ~ 400kts

Re-tasking Weapons
The Re-Tasking Acceptability Region (RAR)
NEW TARGET:
Lat: 51.243370̊N
Lon: 00.589538̊W
Alt: 00060 Meters

RAR
• Re-Tasking a Weapon
Re-Task Requested

RAR
• The Dynamics of RARs

RAR
• The Dynamics of RARs

RAR
• The Dynamics of RARs
T = 0 seconds T = 22 seconds T = 26 seconds
Release at ≈
20’000ft
Impact at 38
seconds
T = 27 seconds
T = 31 seconds

Testing Decision Making

Testing Decision Making
• The Sample Population’s Task:
– To Correctly Re-Task or Deny a Re-Task Request dependant on
whether the weapon will accurately hit the target.
Re-Task
O.K.
Re-Task
FAIL

Testing Decision Making
• Variables
– Distance of New Target from Original Target
– Bearing of New Target from Original Target
– Time From Launch of Re-Task Request

Testing Decision Making
• Test Variables:
– Speed at which the operator can make a decision to re-task the weapon?
– Was it the correct decision?
– What was their mood/stress level?
– How confident were they that they made the correct decision?
– How good was their situational awareness?

Testing Decision Making
• Design the H.M.I. to help Operators make the “correct” decision.
• Best way to display the collapse of the RAR to the Operator?
• Types of Display:
– RAR Area Plot on Map.
– Moving Graph of Area % Remaining.
– Maximum Reachable Range from Current Ballistic or On-Target Trajectory.
– Projection of Future RAR on Map.

Summary
• Simulation Suite of Weapons and Aircraft
– GBU Weapon Simulation
– Fixed Wing Aircraft (Tornado, Typhoon, Jetstream etc)
– Helicopters
• Development of a General Remote Operator Terminal Successful
– Moving Map
– Live Video Feed
– Verbal Communication Network (e.g. Radio)
– Can Transmit Target Updates to Weapon
– Overlay of LAR and RAR regions along with asset and target locations
• Moving into Trials
– Testing Decision Making of Remote Operators of Networked Weapons

Thank You
John Kenneth Davis - Email: j.k.davis@liv.ac.uk
Centre of Autonomous Systems Technology (CAST)
http://www.csc.liv.ac.uk/~michael/Centre_for_Autonomous_Systems_Technology/CAST%40
liverpool.ac.uk.html