Land Flashcards
What are the main differences between PAS and RPAS?
Crew sat in the a/c Weapon Capabilities (RPAS better)
What are the main similarities between PAS and RPAS
SA
Emergencies
How are emergencies handled for RPAS?
No different to a traditional aircraft. Crew follow a set of SOPs to recover the aircraft with red card drills being done from memory.
Current RAF EO/IR Platforms?
Shadow R1
P-8 Poseidon
Reaper
Protector RG Mk1
What is a NDISR platform and what are the current ones?
NDISR = Non-dedicated ISR
It is a platform used for an ISR task however, its prime role is not as an ISR Asset
Typhoon
F35
How is RPAS controlled?
Ground Control Station (GCS) Fibre Optics Fixed Site Satellite Terminal (FSST) Satellite Ground Data Terminal (GDT) Aircraft
What is a disadvantage of the Reaper Comms Suite?
Only has 1 V/UHF radio
Difference between ISTAR and ISR?
ISR = Strategic and Operational ISTAR = Tactical
The Emergency Mission Lost Link Procedure needs to take account of?
Weather in area Weather en-route Weather at destination Hot airspace Squawk Frequencies (transmitter for LRE)
Which areas of the EM Spectrum does EO/IR Exploit?
Visible Spectrum
IR Spectrum
How can ground forces view a laser target marker from an EO/IR platform?
Using Night Vision Goggles (NVG) which amplify into near IR
Name and describe an IR Phenomena
Thermal Crossover
+/- 1 hour of sunrise and +/- 1 hour of sunset
Different materials have different thermal responses
This is the period when the radiant temperature are virtually the same and EO is fading so IR is the only option.
Cause the target to blend in with its surroundings therefore making it difficult to spot.
Solution is switch polarity between black hot and white hot to draw your eye to changes
How is an object visible through an IR camera?
In order for us to see an object using IR is needs to have an emissivity value, the max being 1.
If an object has an emissivity of 1, it has a reflectivity of 0.
What are the environmental factors that affect EO performance?
Sun
sunrise/sunset = low light levels = shadowing
camera ‘blinded’ by sun there a/c orbit needs to be considered
Visibility
sand and dust particles cause light to scatter, reducing the EO camera’s ability to see through
Precipitation
precipitation causes the light to scatter, reducing the EO camera’s ability to see through
Clouds
Thick clouds obscure the picture
Thin wispy clouds may degrade the picture
Clouds can cause shadows on ground making the target difficult to see
Fog
An EO camera is unable to see through fog due to the dense particles
What are the environmental factors that affect IR performance?
Sun
pointing an IR camera directly at the sun may ruin it and render it U/S
as the sun heats and object it may change how it appears
can cause thermal scarring to the ground, making it appear that an object is still there even once it has departed
Visibility
sand and dust particles cause the light to scatter, reducing the ability for the IR camera to see through
Precipitation
large droplets can absorb IR energy
heavy rain causes significant attenuation
rain cools the background so thermally significant objects will tend to stand out
Clouds
Thick clouds obscure the picture
Thin wispy clouds may degrade the picture
Clouds can cause shadows on ground making the target difficult to see
Fog
obscures an IR camera, however, ‘hot spots’ such as fires or an engine may be visible
What are the main elements of a basic EO/IR system?
Gimbal Turret Master Control Unit Controls Displays Recorder Downlink
Purpose of a Gimbal?
Stabilisation, steering and pointing
Purpose of a Turret?
Modular payload containing the sensors:
IR Camera
EO Wide Camera
EO Narrow Camera
Laser Target Marker
Laser Range Designator
Purpose of a Master Control Unit?
Controls, manipulates and processes the data from the sensor payload
Interfaces with other aircraft systems and the operator control unit
Purpose of the Controls?
Operator Control Unit
Controls the turret functions (except steering)
Joystick
Controls the steering
Purpose of the displays?
Master monitor shows the video in command that has operator selectable overlays
Repeater screens display a repeat of the master monitor
Purpose of the Recorders
Either built into MCU which automatically records specific screens and overlays
Or a separate recorder that’s operator controlled
For post flight analysis
Purpose of the Down Link
Video is encrypted and streamed to ground stations increasing SA for:
CAOC/tasking authority
Ground Commander
SU on the ground
For off-board SA
What is a LTM?
Laser Target Marker
Marks targets
Requires NVG
Sparkle/Illuminator
Near IR
What is a LRD?
Laser Range Designator
Primarily for weapons guidance but can also provide, target elevation and coordinates, uses PRF
What is the azimuth and elevation limitations for a gimbal?
360 degrees in azimuth
Limited in elevation due to the camera housing at top and NADIR at bottom
Intelligence Levels
Strategic
Operational
Tactical
Strategic Intelligence Level?
Informs the formation of policy, military planning and provision of Indications and Warnings (I&W) at the national and/or international level.
Derived from information gathered across the spectrum of military, diplomatic, political and economic matters
Operational Intelligence Level?
Informs the planning, execution and support of campaigns and operations within a theatre or JOA by a HQ
Tactical Intelligence Level?
Informs the planning and execution of operations at the tactical level
Intelligence Cycle?
Intelligence Customers -> Intelligence Requirements Manager -> Direction -> Collection Manager -> Collection -> Processing -> Dissemination -> Review
ISR Process?
Collections Manager -> Task -> Collect -> Process -> Exploit -> Disseminate -> Feedback
Explain PED
Process Exploitation Dissemination
Initial Analysis (Phase 0 or 1) Carried out by SO and crew Offboard, near real time input from your downlink by SU
Further Detailed Analysis (Phase 2 or 3)
Carried out by off-board agency
Is fed back into the Intelligence Cycle
What is PID?
Positive Identification
Trained individual positively identifies an individual or weapons system
As soon as you lose sight, PID needs to be regained by a trained Individual
How can PID be obtained?
Visual Identification (VID) Electronic Identification (EID) Second-source Identification/Sensor Identification HUMINT SIGINT Tracking from Point of Origin Other methods as allowed by theatre ROE
What is CDE?
Collateral Damage Estimate
Prior to weapons employment
Target board will sit in the CAOC to determine a CDE figure which determines the type of viable weapon and restrictions
Your scans will contribute to decision
Reduces Fratricide
How can an EO/IR Platform be Deployed?
Target Development Counter IED (CIED) Convoy Support/Route recce Helicopter Landing Site (HLS) recce Raid Support Target Illumination/Close Air Support (CAS) Pattern of Life (POL) Joint Personnel Recovery (JPR) Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)
What is Target Development?
Tasking authority declares a new Target or Operation which requires Full Motion Video (FMV) to collect on:
Personnel Activities
Target Disposition - size, numbers, locations, vehicles, weapons
Approach Routes, hazards, entry and exit points
What is Pattern of Life?
Building a picture of the ‘normal’ so the ‘abnormal’ stands out.
Routes Times of worship Market days/times Bed times Cooking times Children's activities
What is Convoy Support/Route Recce
Pre, during, post
Remain ahead of convoy
Identifying possible hazards
Counter-IED Tactics?
Covert Persistent Use POL Operate in 'peak activity' times Look for visual markers/disturbed earth
What is HLS Recce? What considerations?
Scan surrounding areas and highlight a suitable location
Flat No obstructions Big enough for helo? Close enough to end location without being in LOS? Aware of spotter/sniper locations No evidence of IED acvitiy
Comms/no comms procedure i.e. sparkle (rope of figure of 8)
Tasking during Raid Support?
Scan surrounding areas for spotters/snipers
Look for squirters
Maintain eyes on post raid to establish changes to POL
What is JPR?
Joint Personnel Recovery
Co-ordinated by the CAOC
You will have a specific tasking that may involve: Looking for the personnel Keeping eyes on Scanning for EF approaching Clearing a HLS
What is CAS?
Close Air Support
Air action against hostile targets which are in close proximity to friendly forces
Requires detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of those forces
What is BDA?
Battle Damage Assessment
Estimation of damage resulting from lethal or non-lethal military force
Was the desired effect achieved
Was collateral damage or fratricide avoided?
Physical Damage Assessment
Functional Damage Assessment
Need to be accurate and timely
Describe a Basic Search
GODBEE
Get Information Orientate Discuss Brief Execute Evaluate
Where do we get information from?
ATO/RSTA J2 8-Line JTAC AO Update Aircraft Handover
How do we Orientate?
Identify Key Features (Roads, Rivers, Treelines, Buildings)
Relate to a Map
Funnel Navigation = Big to Small, use keypad to progressively zoom in
Use a standard unit of measure
What are the important considerations during the discussion?
Essential Elements of Information (EEI) Aircraft Positioning Camera requirements vs Airspace Restrictions Counter Detection Weather
What are the Briefing Points?
Essential Elements of Information (EEI) Aircraft Positioning Other Aircraft (Manned vs Unmanned) ROZs Weather
List two basic search techniques
Rolling Box
RASTER search (creeping line ahead)
Explain the Rolling Box search technique
Search of a small area surrounding a point target giving better SA
Designated point is placed at any corner of screen
Slew image so that designated point will touch all corners of the screen making a box
The chosen point should stay on the screen at all times
Explain a RASTER scan
Search of large open or built-up areas
Integrity of search vs speed of search
What is CLEWS and what is it used for?
Mnemonic to think like the enemy in order to find the enemy
Cover LOS Escape Routes Weapons Spotters
What are the IED Search Considerations?
IRCAGE
Explain IR in IRCAGE
IR Camera
May give evidence of earth disturbance
Highlight enemy TTPs e.g. burning tyres
Explain C in IRCAGE
Choke Points/Channelling
Areas where FF slow or down or bunch up
Naturally occurring or caused due to deliberately placed objects
E.g. river crossings, bends or narrowing of roads, junctions, bridges
Explain A in IRCAGE
Aiming Markers
Markers used for EF to identify where IED is placed.
E.g. piles or stones/dirt, telephone poles, wall edges, culverts, lines of stones
Explain G in IRCAGE
Ground disturbance
Looking for disturbed earth either visually or through heat variations in IR
Main Charge
Battery Pack
Command Wire
Daisy Chain
Explain E in IRCAGE
Environmental
Enemy Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) Known IED activity Re-seeding previous IED sites Arming/Disarming activity Route avoidance by locals
