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FA PGMs
Revolutionizing Fires for the Ground
Force Commander
F
or the first time in the history of any precise and enhance rocket and mis-
military, the US warfighting ground By Colonels Gary S. Kinne, sile effects for the ground commander
force commander has organic, sur- John A. Tanzi and by filling warfighting gaps. Two of the
face-to-surface, all-weather fires options Jeffrey W. Yaeger developmental PGMs will be organic to
for rapidly and precisely taking out a wide the brigade combat team (BCT) and ca-
array of targets in a variety of terrains, error probable (CEP) of much less than pable of attacking moving targets—one
some targets ranged from as far away as 10 meters—ideal for kinetic operations of which will be in the inventory starting
270 kilometers. in the Global War on Terrorism. as early as 2008.
Two of the newest of these FA preci- GMLRS unitary has been in the Central Because these new and developmen-
sion-guided munitions (PGMs)—the Command (CENTCOM) theater since tal FA precision-strike capabilities are
guided multiple-launch rocket system June 2005, demonstrating its precision in producing a wide range of effects on
(GMLRS) unitary and 155-mm Ex- combat operations. Based on Excalibur all terrain at extended ranges and are
calibur unitary—are scalable, optimiz- unitary’s performance during develop- all-weather, scalable and available to the
ing them for employment in restricted, mental testing, it soon will set the same ground commander organically, they are
urban or complex terrain and (or) in close accuracy standard when it’s fielded in the revolutionizing the way the commander
support of troops at ranges fires battalion in the CENTCOM theater thinks about warfighting.
from 7,200 meters up to 70 in early 2007. These new and developmental FA
kilometers with a circular Additional FA precision programs PGMs complement the air-delivered
are under development to make cannon joint direct attack munition (JDAM),
area fire conventional munitions more the Air Force’s PGM most frequently
Soldiers look over the results of a test of the guided
multiple-launch rocket system (GMLRS) unitary on a
building in Iraq in June 2005.
May-June 2006 Field Artillery
employed in support of ground forces at Army tactical missile system (ATACMS) Reduced Logistical Burden. On a per-
the tactical and operational levels of war- Block IA quick-reaction unitary (QRU) target basis, precision engagements will
fare. JDAM comes with a 500-, 1,000- or missile (the FA’s first “fire-and-forget” reduce ammunition logistics tails dras-
2,000-pound warhead. Less frequently precision unitary warhead munition), tically when compared to the logistics
employed in support of tactical and op- GMLRS unitary and Excalibur unitary tails of traditional ballistic or free-flight
erational ground forces, the Air Force has give commanders at all levels additional munitions. Battery massed missions and
two laser-guided bombs: Guided Bomb options with which to attack a target entire launcher/cannon loads fired at
Unit (GBU)-12 (500-pound warhead) and rapidly. It no longer will be necessary to single targets will be replaced by single
GBU-10 (2,000-pound warhead). wait for an aircraft or nominate targets rocket/missile/round missions, in some
These joint PGMs (JPGMs) give the in the air tasking order (ATO) process cases.
ground force commander a range of op- to employ precision effects. Depending The number of missions per platform
tions from blowing up entire complexes on the ROE, the FA PGM employed will increase as firing platforms achieve
precisely with JDAM or GBU to blow- and the designated coordinating altitude the desired effects without expending
ing up a mortar crew precisely with FA (fixed-wing “stay-above” altitude), an their entire ammunition loads. Launchers
PGMs—and options in between. FA PGM may be employed immediately (M270A1 and the high-mobility artillery
This article describes recently and after the ground commander clears the rocket system, or HIMARS) and cannons
soon-to-be fielded FA rocket, missile fires—the same commander who re- loaded with PGMs will spend less time
and cannon PGMs, ways in which FA quested the precision strike and owns the reloading with more time left “operation-
precision munitions can be employed battlespace. For example, if the enemy ally ready” for the mission.
plus a quick look at future FA precision fires a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) Rocket and Missile PGMs. Large
programs. In addition, the article dis- at Coalition Forces, a GMLRS unitary bursting radii and several variants of
cusses how the forward observer (FO) on or Excalibur unitary could be cleared to munitions dispensing an extensive
the front lines now can rapidly provide fire very rapidly and eliminate the RPG volume of submunitions generally
the targeting data required for a preci- insurgents while “the neighbors” across characterized the FA arsenal of rockets
sion strike that, until recently, could be the street remain safe. and missiles during the Cold War era.
provided only at the theater level. Surgical strikes by surface-fired PGMs In fact, the enemy in Operation Desert
Advantages of the New PGMs. The will become common in operations span- Storm (ODS) called MLRS “Steel Rain”
new PGMs bring a number of advantages ning the full spectrum of operations. because of its volume, distribution and
to the ground force, including increased
combat effectiveness, improved flexibil-
ity and a reduced logistical burden.
Increased Combat Effectiveness. PGMs
are simply more accurate than ballistic or
free-flight munitions. While one round
fire-for-effect missions are possible using
conventional munitions, in most cases
volume is used to compensate for the
inherent inaccuracies of a given indirect
fire weapons system.
Additionally, effectiveness decreases
as timelines for the munitions’ impact
increase because targets have time to
move or assume more survivable pos-
tures. PGMs increase effectiveness by
delivering effects precisely on target
before the enemy knows they are com-
ing—either because the JDAMs or GBUs
are dropped from high altitudes or the FA
PGMs in the fires battalions organic to
the BCTs or in the fires brigades can be
fired rapidly at the direction of the ground
commander needing the effects.
Improved Flexibility. It is a tactical
and operational fact that the rules of
engagement (ROE) and collateral dam-
age estimates (CDEs) drive the targeting
decision-making process. Targets within
“urban canyons” pose a particular set
of challenges and, until recently, were
Still frame images taken from video footage show an incoming 155-mm Excalibur unitary
almost the exclusive fires domain of the
round close to the dead-center of its target in a near-vertical descent after being fired on a
Air Force or Army helicopters. structure from 22 kilometers away. The bottom image shows the round, functioning in the
The advent of surface-to-surface PGMs delay mode, detonating after penetrating a four-inch concrete roof.
with focused warheads, such as the
sill-www.army.mil/famag May-June 2006
western Iraq. During Operation Restor-
ing Rights, eight GMLRS unitary rockets
were fired, destroying two insurgent
strongholds and killing 48 insurgents
Photo by SSG James H. Christopher III, 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera)
from a distance of 50 kilometers away.
One day later during Operation Sayaid, 3-
13 FA fired six rockets and destroyed the
Mish’al Bridge, preventing insurgents in
the Al Anbar Province from using it.
M48 ATACMS Block IA QRU. In the
inventory for approximately four years,
the fire-and-forget ATACMS Block
IA QRU is a PGM that offers a “big
brother” alternative to the precision
focused effects of GMLRS unitary. The
ATACMS QRU’s 270-kilometer range
and 500-pound unitary warhead increase
the commander’s reach and blast effects
with its PD fuze without sacrificing pin-
2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, 4th Fires Brigade, fires a GMLRS rocket in Iraq from Forward
point accuracy.
Operating Base Q-West, Qayyarah, on 5 January. The unit fired a terrain denial mission on During the initial phase of Operation
an area where insurgents were known to position mortars and rocket launchers. Iraqi Freedom (OIF), 13 ATACMS
QRUs were fired at command and
effects on them. The enemy was de- fuze mode will be added. control (C2) nodes and achieved tre-
scribing MLRS dual-purpose improved The target sets for GMLRS unitary mendous success. The target sets for
conventional munition (DPICM) sub- consist of stationary targets including ATACMS QRU consist of stationary
munitions dispensed by the hundreds structures (buildings, bridges, reinforced targets, including structures (buildings,
across large areas of the desert by the bunkers, etc.), lightly armored vehicle bridges, C2 nodes, bunkers, etc.), lightly
M26 rocket launched from the M270 arrays and personnel. armored vehicle arrays, logistical sites
MLRS launcher in ODS. In an actual firing in the CENTCOM and personnel. Like GMLRS unitary,
What Saddam Hussein’s soldiers could theater, a GMLRS unitary rocket deliv- ATACMS QRU’s unitary warhead
not have known in 1991 was that 14 ered a single 200-pound class warhead eliminates the possibility of unexploded
years later, the new M270A1 MLRS that exploded a few milliseconds after ordnance (submunitions).
launcher would fire GMLRS unitary it penetrated the roof of an Al Qaeda The range and precision of ATACM
rockets against insurgents inside Iraq. safe house. The M270A1 launcher that QRU make them ideal for shaping and
But this time, there would be no Steel fired the single rocket was more than 60 counterstrike missions. Although cer-
Rain—only a sudden explosion and flash kilometers away. tainly capable of being employed against
of light as the rocket destroys, say an Although rockets traditionally have targets in urban terrain, commanders
improvised explosive device (IED) lab, not been used in the close support role, and staffs must plan for the larger col-
leaving the building next door virtually the precision effects demonstrated by lateral damage radius associated with
undamaged. GMLRS unitary rockets is causing ATACMS QRU’s 500-pound warhead
XM31 GMLRS Unitary. In October commanders and planners to re-think as compared to GMLRS unitary’s 200-
2004, the Commanding General of the attack matrices. The range, limited col- pound warhead.
MultiNational Corps Iraq (MNC-I) lateral damage and accuracy of GMLRS M30 GMLRS. This PGM is the next
signed an urgent needs statement (UNS) unitary rockets lend themselves not only generation of DPICM rocket and has
asking for a longer range, indirect fire to shaping and counterstrike roles, but a range of 70 kilometers. It is guided
weapon that could be fired precisely also to close support. GMLRS unitary by a global positioning system- (GPS)-
into an urban environment with a low can impact safely within 200 meters of aided inertial measuring unit (IMU) to
probability of collateral damage and, friendly forces—sometimes even closer, create an accuracy of less than one mil
at the same time, leave no unexploded depending on the circumstances. at all ranges.
ordnance. In January 2005, Headquar- Today, GMLRS unitary is the Army’s The M30 GMLRS leaves significantly
ters, Department of the Army directed only surface-fired, precision, longer fewer duds on the battlefield as compared
a response to the UNS, resulting in a range indirect fire munition available to the M26 DPICM rocket employed in
limited quantity of GMLRS unitary to troops in contact in an urban envi- major combat operations in OIF. The
rockets’ being sent to Iraq in June 2005. ronment. GMLRS submunition dud rate has been
Although full-rate production of the In September 2005, the 3rd Battalion, reduced to two percent at most ranges.
GMLRS unitary is not anticipated until 13th Field Artillery (3-13 FA), 214th In addition, the rocket carries one-third
2009, the PGM joined the fight in the Field Artillery Brigade, in support of the fewer submunitions (404 as compared
CENTCOM theater last summer. MNC-I, fired GMLRS unitary rockets to the M26’s 644 submunitions). The
GMLRS unitary rocket can engage for the first time in combat operations. number of duds on the battlefield also
targets at ranges from 15 to 70 kilometers 3-13 FA fired them during Operation is reduced significantly by the GMLRS’
with two fuzing options: point detonating Restoring Rights at Tal Afar and Opera- decreased volume of fire as a PGM. So,
(PD) and delay. In the future, a proximity tion Sayaid in the Al Anbar Province in fewer PGM rockets will be fired to get
May-June 2006 Field Artillery
the desired effects on target, and each system (FCS) weapon systems whose de- able to receive a target location update
rocket will have fewer submunitions velopment has been accelerated to begin while in flight, allowing it to engage
with a reduced dud rate. fielding to the moving targets.
As an area munition, GMLRS fills a eva l u a t i o n PAM will be effective against both
warfighting gap by providing precision BCT (EBCT) heavy and soft targets. Commanders
effects on targets not suitable for unitary at Fort Bliss, will be able to employ it in a number
munitions. It gives commanders precise Te x a s , i n of different scenarios across the spec-
destructive or protective/suppressive FY08. trum of operations from stability and
fires against target arrays or expanded It is a solid- reconstruction operations (S&RO) to
target areas too large for unitary propellant precision-guided missile that major combat operations. The fires
warheads. It also can be employed to will be fired remotely from container battalion in a modular BCT will have
mitigate less than optimal sensor target launch units (CLUs). Each CLU will PAM, giving the BCT commander or-
location errors (TLEs). Whereas unitary contain 15 PAMs and a command, control ganic PGMs effective against moving
warheads need “tight” target location and communications capability. PAM targets—long the “Achilles heel” of the
accuracy, GMLRS can accept a slightly will receive fire missions from the ad- Field Artillery.
larger error and still provide effects on vanced FA tactical data system (AFATDS) • LAM also will be fired from CLUs,
the target. (modular force) or battle command net- much like PAM. It will be able to attack
M270A1 and HIMARS can fire GMLRS, work (FCS force). The CLUs will be stationary, moving and fleeting high-pay-
which currently is in full-rate production transportable by truck or sling loadable off targets
and being stocked in the inventory. under helicopters. (HPTs) at ex-
Future Rocket and Missile Precision The missile will have various flight tended rang-
Programs. Two additional munition profiles enabling it to be employed es, defeating
variants are scheduled for inclusion in against a wide array of targets, including lightly ar-
the FA’s rocket and missile PGM inven- moving targets, to a range of 40 kilome- mored and
tory: the precision attack missile (PAM) ters (threshold) with the objective of 60 soft targets
and loiter attack missile (LAM). They kilometers. Each missile will receive with precision using GPS guidance.
are part of the non-line-of-sight launch target location and description data It also will be able to provide surveil-
system (NLOS-LS). These two future before launching and use GPS guidance lance and targeting images to support
PGMs address warfighting capabili- (with inertial backup) to fly to the target battle damage assessment (BDA) and
ties gaps and are designed for specific location. The missile will search the serve as an airborne radio retransmis-
target sets, giving ground commanders target area during the terminal portion sion platform. LAM’s threshold range
expanded options for precisely attacking of the flight and make corrections to hit and loiter time will be 70 kilometers
point targets. Of note, PAM and LAM the target (using its uncooled imaging with a 30-minute search time up to the
will be able to attack moving targets infrared seeker with a semi-active laser) objective range of 100 kilometers with
through responsive networked fires and or fly directly to the target guided by a a 45-minute loiter time.
will be organic to the BCT. laser designator from an external ob- The commander will have the option
• PAM is one of only three future combat servation platform. The missile will be of employing LAM in the fire-and-for-
get or man-in-the-loop mode. Using its
primary seeker (laser radar, or LADAR)
and automatic target recognition tem-
plates, the missile will be able to locate
and recognize targets, transmit target
images and attack targets. Fire mission
instructions, including image collec-
tion options, attack criteria and search
patterns, will be programmed in LAM
before it is launched, but the operator
will be able to update the data while
LAM is in flight.
As with PAM, LAM will be organic
to the BCT.
For more information on these rocket
and missile precision-strike programs,
see the Training and Doctrine Command
(TRADOC) Systems Manager for Rock-
et and Missile Systems (TSM RAMS)
link on Fires Knowledge Network (FKN)
on Army Knowledge Online (AKO) or
email tsm.rams@us.army mil.
Cannon PGMs. The FA soon will
Soldiers train to download container launch units (CLUs). The CLUs can carry the precision
field the Excalibur unitary PGM and
attack missile (PAM), the loiter attack missile (LAM) or a mixture both. has several cannon precision programs
under development.
sill-www.army.mil/famag May-June 2006
XM982 Excalibur Unitary. In August ment); weather conditions or response precision munitions programs, see the
2004, the Commanding General of III times makes other precision attack as- TSM Cannon link on FKN on AKO or
Corps in Iraq submitted a UNS request- sets infeasible; the commander needs email tsm.cannon@us.army mil.
ing a precision cannon round that is to destroy targets in close proximity to Providing Precise Coordinates for
effective in friendly troops, civilians or protected PGMs. PGMs need precise target
urban oper- targets; precision is needed but be- coordinates—or these precision muni-
ations—Ex- yond-line-of-sight (BLOS) systems tions will miss their targets “precisely.”
calibur uni- or precision-guided mortar munitions Today’s technology allows the FO at
tary is the re- (PGMMs) can’t range the target; or when the tactical level to rapidly and easily
sponse. It a target is out of range of conventional determine PGM coordinates when previ-
will be field- artillery munitions. ously they only could be determined at
ed in the CENTCOM theater not later Recent tests at Yuma Proving Ground, the theater level.
than the Second Quarter of FY07. The Arizona, have demonstrated Excalibur Historical Perspective. In the past,
Excalibur unitary development program unitary’s multiple-fuze settings and determining these coordinates was
was accelerated by two years to meet the precision capabilities. Consistently in time-consuming and required target
UNS deadline. live-fire tests, Excalibur has impacted mensuration. The latter is the application
Excalibur unitary is an extended-range within five meters of its targets’ aim of mathematical principles to a two-di-
155-mm high-explosive (HE) PGM ca- points when fired from ranges of eight mensional surface to determine the most
pable of engaging HPTs in all weather to 23 kilometers. accurate location of a target on all three
and terrain while minimizing collateral Future Cannon Precision Programs. planes of a Cartesian surface (XYZ).
damage through concentrated lethality Several precision programs are underway Mensuration greatly reduces TLE using
and increased precision. The Paladin self- for cannon munitions. a process to correlate the expected target
propelled howitzer, M777A1 lightweight • The precision guidance kit (PGK) for location to highly refined coordinates.
155 or the NLOS cannon will be able to both 155-mm and 105-mm conventional Simply stated, mensuration gives an
fire Excalibur unitary. cannon munitions, such as HE or DPICM, accurate aim point.
Using a non-ballistic flight path, Ex- will make these munitions’ area fires One of the most familiar ways of men-
calibur unitary is achieving a range of 24 more pre- surating target coordinates uses the digi-
kilometers in testing with the objective cise. These tal point position database (DPPDB). The
range of 40 kilometers with base-bleed systems are DPPDB is a stereo image-based software
integrated. Its guidance system is GPS, GPS-guided developed by the National Imagery and
eliminating the need for laser designation with some Mapping Agency (NIMA), now known
and making it the Army’s first cannon- also inertial as the National Geospatial-Intelligence
delivered fire-and-forget munition. navigation Agency (NGA), which was introduced
PD, delay or proximity fuze settings system- (INS)-aided; the rounds will in the mid-1990s. The military and
allow Excalibur unitary to attack multiple impact within a 50-meter CEP at all intelligence services routinely use DP-
target types (soft and medium targets) ranges for the initial increment of the PDB to derive precise coordinates to
and reinforced point targets. Its required PGK and with the objective PGK’s CEP support targeting and mission-planning
TLE is 30 meters for enemy personnel or reduced to 10 meters. requirements.
light materiel and 10 meters for structures Although recent operations reinforce The database consists of several de-
requiring a direct hit. the necessity for more precision, the pendent components, including rectified
With its non-ballistic trajectory, near- Army continues to need the capability aerial imagery and the support data needed
vertical terminal dive and 50-pound to saturate large areas with fires in high- to exploit that imagery. Progressive appli-
warhead that can penetrate four inches intensity conflict. With PGK, the ground cations, such as Dewdrop, Raindrop and
of steel reinforced concrete, Excalibur warfighting commander will be able to Rainstorm, use the DPPDB for mensura-
unitary produces a highly concentrated fire more precise suppression effects tion; their respective accuracies can be
and predictable fragmentation pattern, while retaining the traditional option of found on the NGA secure website.
optimizing it for employment in urban massing dumb, but deadly rounds for Until recently, the ability to provide
operations and allowing targeting staffs area effects—giving him a robust kit targeting data for a precision strike only
to determine the potential for collateral bag of fires effects. was available through mensuration at
damage during operational planning. Conventional munitions enhanced with the theater level. The Air Force initiated
The round will be employed for close PGKs are projected to start coming into efforts to place a mensuration capabil-
support, particularly in urban operations. the inventory in FY09. ity at the air support operations center
Although we have not determined Ex- • To develop 105-mm PGMs, the FA (ASOC) to cut down on the reach-back
calibur unitary’s risk estimate distance will leverage Excalibur unitary’s tech- required. The process still was time-con-
(RED) yet, testing indicates that we will nology. While still in the early stages suming and viewed as not responsive to
be able to fire Excalibur unitary safely of definition, the 105-mm PGM is en- the immediate needs of commanders on
at distances considerably less than 600 visioned to enhance the conventional the ground, especially to engage time-
meters from friendly forces, the current 105-mm round’s precision, extend its sensitive targeting.
restriction for danger-close fires. range and increase its lethality. PKG Technology for the FO’s PGM Coordi-
The ground commander will use Ex- enhancements to current 105-mm rounds nates. The precision-strike suite special
calibur unitary when collateral damage will bridge the gap until the new 105-mm operations force (PSS-SOF) software
is an issue; targets are in, on top of or PGM is fielded. allows the observer on the front lines
adjacent to a structure (urban environ- For more information about the cannon to determine precise coordinates for
0 May-June 2006 Field Artillery
PGMs. PSS-SOF verifies the location to
be targeted by associating the grid to the
DPPDB. This process is a direct transfer Problems Discussion
from the known points in the DPPDB. • “Digital Divide” existed for precision • Common Component in Emerging
Because true mensuration is performed engagement by tactical users. Service Programs of Record
by highly trained experts at the theater or • Strikes called over voice nets using • SOCOM Special Operations Mis-
national level, PSS-SOF has been referred non-integrated GPS, LRF, map and sion Planning Enhancement
to as “near-mensuration.” It is more accu- compass. • USAF TACP Modernization
rately a three-dimensional determination • Coordinates lack pedigree for
of coordinates that are precise enough to • USMC StrikeLink
PGMs.
employ today’s PGMs at the tactical level, • AFSOC Battlefield Air Operations
• Different delivery platforms required Kit
PGMs such as Excalibur unitary, GMLRS coordinates in different formats.
unitary and JDAM. • Army Forward Observer System
Using the PSS-SOF, ground-based
observers with eyes on the target can de-
termine, refine and transmit precise coor- PSS-SOF Background PSS-SOF Status
dinates to strike assets for precision strike • NGA validated capability for PGM • In use by SEALs, Special Forces,
munitions more quickly and easily. targeting and mission planning. Army FECs, USAF Special Tactics,
The figure details information on the • Easily integrates with digital data USMC Force RECON and MEU
software. Specific problems, such as generation (call-for-fire and imag- Intelligence.
a gap in digital interfaces, drove the ery-to-cockpit). • Trained at JTAC and JFO schools.
software’s development. • Hosted on user’s existing sys- • Transitions to SOCOM in FY07 for
Of note, the NGA has validated the tems. sustainment.
software for PGMs. Units operating in • First deployed to OEF in December • Recognized by CENTCOM for
theater now use it. It is part of the US Air 2001. targeting.
Force’s tactical air control party (TACP)
modernization program and an exten- Legend: MEU = Marine Expeditionary Unit
sion of the Army’s FO system under the AFSOC = Air Force Special Operations NGA = National Geospatial-Intelligence
automated fire support system. Command Agency
CENTCOM = Central Command OEF = Operation Enduring Freedom
PSS-SOF has been incorporated into FECs = Fires and Effects Cells PGMs = Precision-Guided Munitions
Forward Observer Software (FOS), Ver- GPS = Global Positioning System RECON = Reconnaissance
sion 7.0.13, to be fielded in the Fourth JFO = Joint Fires Observer SEALs = Sea, Air, Land Team
JTAC = Joint Terminal Attack Controller SOCOM = Special Operations Command
Quarter of FY06. It currently is trained LRF = Laser Rangefinder TACP = Tactical Air Control Party
at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in the Joint Fires
Observer (JFO) Course and in some of the
joint terminal attack controller- (JTAC)- Precision Strike Suite for Special Operations Forces (PSS-SOF)
producing schools in other services.
Coordinates Determination Process. siderations. current and future battlefields.
PSS-SOF is just one part of the process. The observer then digitally transmits
The observer determines his own position the precise coordinates to the system
from his GPS and a range and bearing to delivering the PGMs. The entire process Colonel Gary S. Kinne is the Training and
the target from his laser rangefinder. The takes minutes. Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Systems
information is digitally transmitted, no The joint services have taken a his- Manager for Rocket and Missile Systems
“fat fingering.” Then the observer pushes torical process that required target (TSM-RAMS) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Also at
Fort Sill, he was the Director of the Joint and
this new information to his mission plan- coordinate refinement from the highest
Combined Integration Directorate (JACI) in
ning software. He must review his mission levels and pushed it down to the ground the Field Artillery School. He commanded
planning environment where he also is observer to determine precision strike the d Battalion, th Field Artillery (-
receiving Blue Force updates. On various data at his location and have greatly FA), nd Infantry Division, in Korea.
map displays, such as FalconView, the improved the timeline for doing so.
observer sees his location and target. This improves joint warfighting and Colonel John A. Tanzi is the TSM Cannon
Here is where PSS-SOF is involved. the application of precision strike at Fort Sill. Previously, he was the Director
The observer digitally passes the data capabilities. of Support Operations in the Center for
from his mission planner to the PSS- The Army has entered an era of longer Strategic Leadership at Carlisle Barracks,
SOF application on the same computer. range tactical PGMs, including fire-and- Pennsylvania. He commanded - FA, st
PSS-SOF automatically pulls up the forget PGMs. Although the Army still Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
appropriate images, a stereo pair of requires the ability to mass fires with
Colonel Jeffrey W. Yaeger is the Director
two different images of the same target ballistic munitions, recent technologi- of JACI. In his previous assignment, he
area. The operator locates the intended cal applications and the desire to avoid commanded the rd Battlefield Coordina-
feature on both images, and PSS-SOF collateral damage have driven the use of tion Detachment (BCD) in Korea. He also
calculates and returns precision coor- precision munitions. commanded the Special Troops Battalion,
dinates and elevation. The application The Field Artillery continues to evolve a multi-functional unit dual-stationed
also presents the coordinates’ TLE, and develop new capabilities designed at Forts Wainwright and Richardson,
which is very important in ROE con- to meet the ever-changing challenges of Alaska.
sill-www.army.mil/famag May-June 2006
