Posted on 03/13/2003 6:38:00 AM PST by TADSLOS
Although it was only a prototype model less than two years ago, the Army is rushing a blue force tracking device into the field after proving the technology during combat operations in Afghanistan, an Army space programs officer said March 12.
The Grenadier Beyond line of sight Reporting And Tracking (BRAT) device, built by General Dynamics Decision Systems, began as a Force XXI initiative in 2000. It was expected to mature into low-rate initial production within two years.
About 400 prototype models were fielded to Special Forces troops for use in Operation Enduring Freedom. Using the Global Positioning System, Grenadier BRAT transmits the user's position data continuously. To guard against interception threats, the device uses a special waveform that transmits across several frequencies in encrypted code.
The prototype model quickly gained supporters.
"It was so effective [in Operation Enduring Freedom] for our SOF [special forces] units that the Army continued to field them to the SOF community, and is examining how to provide the same capability to conventional units in Afghanistan as well," Lt. Gen. David D. McKiernan, then the Army's deputy chief of staff for operations and plans, told House lawmakers in testimony last July 11.
The Army quickly exercised an option to buy 400 more Grenadier BRAT devices, Col. Steven G. Fox, program manager for Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities, told reporters in a news briefing March 12. Hundreds of similar devices also have been purchased and fielded since last year, he said.
"There's over 1,000 devices that I'm aware of based on the same technology," Fox said.
Grenadier BRAT consists of a transponder, a hand-held terminal, a UHF transmit antenna and a GPS receiver antenna, according to Army documents. Variations of the device can be loaded on aircraft and tanks, or carried by dismounted troops. The Army Space Programs Office began fielding the device on the AH-64D Longbow Apache gunship last July, beginning with the Army's 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment in Europe.
Hell, I've got one of these, and she'll turn 3 in July. :)
It has a transponder and a GPS. When queried by a nearby command unit, the transponder sends out the GPS coordinates where it is at the moment in spread-spectrum, encrypted data. The command unit correlates all the transponder data and displays on a screen where all the troops with these devices are. It's like Air Traffic Control, but on the ground.
Michael
Anything that helps this is a GOOD thing!
I'll be here all week. You've been a great crowd.
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