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Joint Close Air SupportJoint Test and Evaluation

(JCAS JT&E)

Testing With Training:A Success Story

Col “Maggie” Brown

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Joint Test & EvaluationPurpose

• Answer CINC/Service nominatedproblems/issues

• Provides quantitative information used foranalyses of joint military capabilities

• Assess Service systems interoperabilityin joint operations

• Evaluate and recommend improvementsto joint technical and operationalconcepts

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JCAS JT&E Charter

• Conduct a JT&E to investigate,evaluate, and improve the operationaleffectiveness of joint U.S. Close AirSupport– Determine the baseline effectiveness of

joint Close Air Support– Identify changes to TTP, equipment, and

training to increase effectiveness

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Close Air Support

“Air action by fixed- and rotary-wing aircraftagainst hostile targets which are in closeproximity to friendly forces and which requiredetailed integration of each air mission with thefire and movement of those forces.” Joint Pub 1-02

Close does not imply a specific distance. The determining factor is therequirement for detailed integration because of proximity, fires, and/ormovement. Joint Pub3-09.3

AirLiaisonOfficer

AirLiaisonOfficer

CommandPost

CommandPost

GroundController

GroundController

ArtilleryArtillery

ACA BLUE10,000 – 20,000ft

GroundCommander

GroundCommander

5-7 KM’s5-7 KM’s

AttackingAircraft

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JCAS JT&E Directors

Director Col Dave Brown, USAFF-4, F-117, F-106

Army Deputy LTC Bryan CampbellAH-64, AH-1, OH-58, Armor

USAF Deputy Lt Col Scot ChiassonF-111,O-2, A/OA-10, ALO

USMC Deputy Maj James QuinnF/A-18D

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• General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC)– Members

• National Training Center (NTC)• Air Warfare Center (AWFC)• Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Command (MAGTFTC)• Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC)• Joint Staff, J8 representation

• Subject Matter Expert Seminar– Maneuver, Fire Support, Terminal Control, and Aviation

JCAS JT&E Guidance

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JCAS JT&E Background

• 1996/1997 Feasibility Study• 1997 JT&E Charter• 1998 Mini Test 1/NTC• 1999-2002 Day CAS Field Test/NTC• 2001 Day/Night CAS Field Test 29 Palms• Feb 2002 Mini Test 2 Digital/NTC• July 02, 2 year extension directed by JROC

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JCAS JT&E Methodology

• Focused mini-tests• Field testing

– Deploy to Field Training Exercises

• Surveys of current operators– Web based

• Professional gatherings– JCAS SME Seminars– JCAS Symposiums

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JCAS JT&E Testing

• Variation from other JT&Es– Testing with Training– Multiple Data Collection Opportunities– Observe Decision Makers

• Formalized agreements– National Training Center (NTC)/Nellis– 29 Palms

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JCAS JT&E MethodologyVenue Instrumentation

• Fully instrumented ranges at NTC/Nellis– In-place systems

• TSPI, Digitize tactical communications

• No instrumentation at 29 Palms– JCAS portable systems

• GPS TSPI, Digitize tactical communications

• Supplemented with Palm Pilot, VoiceIt, &GPS

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JCAS JT&E Data Collection

Tactical Operations Center (TOC)

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JCAS JT&E Data Collection

TACTICAL AIR CONTROL PARTY (TACP)

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JCAS JT&E Data Collection

AVIATION

18-30 Aircraft

FLOT

Nellis AFB

- JCAS JT&EBattlefield Assessment Team

- Tactical Operations Center

- Tactical Air Control Party

- Aviation: FAC(A) & CAS

NTC

Battalion

Battalion

Battalion

Brigade

2000 - 3000Soldiers

Squadron

SquadronRegiment

1000 OPFOR

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JCAS JT&E Data Collection Post Battle Assessment

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JCAS JT&E DataDownload

Field Garrison

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Interim Observations

• 11 Maneuver brigades / 26 battalions• 22 Battles

– Observed first two of each rotation

• Over 39,000 data elements– 218 CAS Sorties– 438 Weapon delivery attempts

• A joint training environment

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Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

1000

2000

Testing - 1 unit for 2 weeks

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

1000

2000

Testing with Training - 6 units for 4 days ea.

DataPoints

DataPoints

JCAS JT&E Methodology

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Problem Statement

Critical OperationalIssue

JCAS JT&E Design

Test Issues

Test Venues

Analytical

Model

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Problem Statement

Critical OperationalIssue

OperationalModel

Test Issues

AnalyticalModel

Test Venues

JCAS JT&E Design

“A logical representation that supports theresolution of the test issues witha process orientation”

JCAS Operational Model JCAS Operational Model

EXECUTION PHASE

PLANNING PHASE

OrderFS Annex/Air Sup

Read Order

IssueWARNO

COA development Commander’sConceptFacts

AssumptionsLimitationsSpecified TasksImplied TasksCritical Tasks

FS estimate prepared

HPTLHVTScheme of FireObservationAttack Guidance MatrixTarget Selection StandardsFSCMs/ACMsPriority of FiresCritical Fire Support TasksForce Protection

Determine:

DECISIONDECISIONCDR

ESTIMATECDR

ESTIMATESTAFF

ESTIMATESTAFF

ESTIMATEMSN

ANALYSISMSN

ANALYSISRECEIVE

HIGHER ORDERRECEIVE

HIGHER ORDER

Receive Commander’s Planning GuidancePrepare / Send JTAR

PREPARATION PHASE

Maneuver Rehearsal

Fire Support Rehearsal

ObserversFAC / ETACFISTR/SCOLTOther

OBSERVATIONOBSERVATION

TargetsNAITAI

REHEARSALSREHEARSALS

Observers FAC / FAC(A) FIST / ETAC R/S COLT

TOC / COCS3FSEAO/TACPS2

LD /

Def

end

NLT

CA

S on

sta

tion

Battle Tracking : Friendly Units POF FSCM/ACM

S/A ThreatSpot Reports

SynchronizeSEADMarksFSCM/ACM

Deconfliction / Coordination:Indirect (PA/GTL)Direct (SRDZ)Cross-boundaryClearance of FiresCAS Routing

CAS Target Nomination

Determine Typeof Control Required

Positive DirectPositive IndirectOther

Further InstructionsRe-attackReturn to IPDepart

Aircraft Check-in with Terminal ControllerSituation Update / InstructionsTOC / COC NotifiedMFC Weapon Release Authority

Target Designation CAS Brief

CAS Attack BeginsFighter Depart IPMark/SEAD InitiatedFighter ID FriendsFighter ID Target

Weapons Delivery Attempt BeginsPositive Control

Direct / IndirectOther Methods

Reasonable AssuranceCleared Hot / Abort

BDA/Assessment

WeaponsRelease

CASTARGETS

VERIFYCOMMUNICATIONS

TOC / COC TERMINAL CONTROLLERCOORDINATION

CAS TARGETENGAGEMENT

CAS TargetsSEAD

Marking Priority

Precedence Update JTAR

TARGETS

War-gameCAS Tgt List ReviewedObservation PlanCAS Tgt DescriptionCAS Tgt Location and AltitudeCAS Tgt MarkingCAS Triggers PracticedSEAD PracticedFSCMs/ACMs PracticedField Artillery PA & AOF

TARGETS

ASSESSMENTASSESSMENTEXECUTIONEXECUTION

MOVEMENTMOVEMENT

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Problem Statement

Critical OperationalIssue

OperationalModel

Test Issues

AnalyticalModel

Test Venues

JCAS JT&E Design

-Supports resolution of test issues-Includes conditions, variables, observations,Criteria, measures (MOP, MOE, MLM), and methods.

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• Test observations analytically model theCAS Process

• Test measures, conditions and variables arederived from the observations

Rotation Battle

PlannedTarget Set

NominatedTarget Set

DesignatedTarget Set

CAS Attack CAS Mission FAC(A) Mission

Sortie

WeaponDeliveryAttempt

WeaponRelease

JCAS Analytical Model

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Eglin, AFB Air TSPI

UHF/VHFDigital Audio

JCAS Data Base

JCAS EventData Base

Ground TSPI

NTC, Ft. Irwin

OperationalEvents

PALM III

GARMIN

UHFVHF MCDARS

HUDAWMDS

TACO

Brigade Graphics

SunWorkstation

COMBAT

VOICE IT

NTC-IS

Nellis, AFB

McDOUG

Database Query

GPS Data

MCDOUGCOMBINEDENHANCED

SPREADSHEET

FM DigitalAudioCOMVERSE

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Field TestingNon-Instrumented Range

• 29 Palms• Use same data collection package

– Same test measures

• Instrumentation package required– Communications– Air/Ground TSPI

Eglin, AFB

Air TSPI

JCAS Data Base

JCAS EventData Base

Ground TSPI

29 Palms

OperationalEvents

PALM III

GARMIN

UHF/VHF

COMBAT

VOICE IT

IRIS

McDOUG

GPS Data

MCDOUGCOMBINEDENHANCED

SPREADSHEET

HUD

DARES

Digital Audio UHF/VHF/FM/SINGARS

MicrowaveRelay

LiveTracker/Logger

Database Query

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IRIS – CombinesAPRS, Data Logger, and COMBAT

NMEA: National Marine Electronics Association standard for GPS output

APRS: Automated Packet/Position Reporting System

Vehicle-mounted box

Transmitted DataPackets

Radio Receiver

Computer w/COMBAT Software

Decodes, displays,and logs positioninformation in realtime.

Digipeater

Sound card

Audio Output

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Testing with Training Positives

• Operational Realism– Scenario– Players

• Multiple Testing Opportunities• Cost Savings• Instrumentation Legacy

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Testing with Training Limitations

• Non-Interference Issues• Uncontrolled Variables• Complex Reduction• Trainers suspect Testers

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Testing with TrainingConditions for Success

• Professional Working Relationships• Must do your homework• Effective MOAs• Testing ... Noninterference with Training• Identify Test Measures early-on

• Execute data collection with anoperational mindset … a must!

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JCAS JT&ELegacy Products

• Baseline of joint CAS effectiveness (day& night)

• Instrumentation Enhancements• NTC/29 Palms battle replay CD• Recommended changes to joint CAS

training, doctrine, and equipment• Combined testing with training on a

non-interference basis

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OSD Joint Close Air Support(JCAS)

202 Cherokee Ave. Eglin AFB, FL 32542

DSN: 872-4089 https://jcas.eglin.af.mil

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Field TestingReal Time Tracking

• 29 Palms• 3 vehicles tracked, 12 sec sample rate, 1200 baud data

transmission, 2 digipeaters, data loggers used auto algorithm• Coverage: approximately 3000 sq km (29 Palms Range)• Future: move to 9600 baud packet radio

- 12 sec sample rate => 12-15 vehicles- 25-30 sec sample rate => 25-30 vehicles

• To track more vehicles, lower sample rate and/or add morefrequencies

• Data loggers capable of 1sec sample rate.• By combining a GPS data logger and APRS, we are capable of

reasonable situational awareness and accurate position logging.

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On-going Actions

• Digital Control Mini Test• USMC Data Analysis• AFRL Project• Joint Pub 3-09.3 Revision• CAS CRD• Fires MTT• JROC ESC• Begin closeout March 02

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JCAS JT&EFuture Operations

• JT&E Final Report Sept 02• Lights Out Dec 02• JROC ESC Initiative

– SOF and Navy Baselines– Conditions (Weather, Foliage, etc.)– Digital / Standoff– Targeting

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JCAS JT&E Background

• Testing Began 98• Mini-test November 98• Day CAS Field Test March 99• Convened (3) GOSCs• Symposiums• JROC ESC

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Interim Observations

• 11 Maneuver brigades / 26 battalions• 22 Battles

– Observed first two of each rotation

• Over 39,000 data elements– 218 CAS Sorties– 438 Weapon delivery attempts

• A joint training environment

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Problem Statement

Critical OperationalIssue

OperationalModel

Test Issues

AnalyticalModel

Test Venues

JCAS JT&E Design

-Supports resolution of test issues-Includes conditions, variables, observations,Criteria, measures (MOP, MOE, MLM), and methods.

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• Test observations analytically model theCAS Process

• Test measures, conditions and variables arederived from the observations

Rotation Battle

PlannedTarget Set

NominatedTarget Set

DesignatedTarget Set

CAS Attack CAS Mission FAC(A) Mission

Sortie

WeaponDeliveryAttempt

WeaponRelease

JCAS Analytical Model

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JCAS JT&E Legacy Products

• Baseline of joint CAS effectiveness (day& night)

• Instrumentation Enhancements• NTC/29 Palms battle replay CD• Recommended changes to joint CAS

training, doctrine, and equipment• Combined testing with training on a

non-interference basis42

• General Officer Steering Committee (GOSC)– Members

• National Training Center (NTC)• Air Warfare Center (AWFC)• Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC)• Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC)• Joint Staff, J8 representation

• Subject Matter Expert Seminar– Maneuver, Fire Support, Terminal Control, and Aviation

JCAS JT&E Guidance

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Garmin 12XL GPS

Voice It Recorder Garmin 12XL GPS

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NTC COMBAT Replay AWMDS Replay

Palm Data Download Palm IDRL Capture

McDoug 2000 HUD Data

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29 Palms COMBAT Replay

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Data LoggerLogs up to 170,000track points – variouscollection algorithms

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GPS ReceiverOutputs NMEAstring every second

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Radio w/TNCRadio accepts GPS NMEAstring via serial connection– transmits APRS packetevery 12 seconds.

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Mic-encoderThe mic-encoder cantransmit APRS packetsfrom any radio vice theKenwood TNC radio.

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