The Raytheon Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisiton-Mission Equipment Package (RSTA-MEP)

Raytheon ^ | 2002 | Raytheon

[theFIRMbss]

"Quickly Assess the situational area through real-time situational knowledge"

The Raytheon Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisiton-Mission Equipment Package (RSTA-MEP) program provides the capability to quickly assess the situational area through real-time situational knowledge provided by long range on-board thermal sensors and off-board sensors.

Technological advancements in the sensors and software provide for a wide-area-search (WAS) capability, automatic target detection (ATD), and aided target recognition (AiTR). ATD and AiTR can automatically detect stationary or moving targets beyond the enemy's engagement range and provide a wealth of data to the crew including target bearing, elevation, range, classification, and priority.

The RSTA-MEP leverages and extends the capability of the U.S. Army FBCB2 through sensor fusion of the on-board sensor data providing the crew with a common relevant operating picture of friendly and enemy forces.

Additionally, commercial and military electro-optical thermal sensors are integrated to provide driving capability during hours of darkness and a local 360-degree local security capability.

[theFIRMbss]

You just never know
what a Hummer will do next.
Linux Journal has

a cover story
about the Linux stuff, and
there's more info at:

Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Mission Equipment Package (RSTA-MEP) Program

[theFIRMbss]

I was wondering
if you think your Stryker list
might want pinging here...

[Poohbah]

Can I get one at my Hummer dealer? Maybe do mobile traffic reports for the local radio shows on my way to work in the morning.

[KriegerGeist]

I really wish that somebody could get something over to our guys in harm's way to detect these RPG ambushers before they get close enough to be hit. Whether it flies overhead armed or rolls in un-manned armed, it would be nice to ambush the ambushers somehow. Some way to detect these guys on rooftops or behind buildings or alleys and drop something on them or shoot something at them...

What? Nerds & Geeks can think up this stuff I'll bet! They play video games...

[theFIRMbss]

>Maybe do mobile traffic reports

I would think that some
local police forces might like
equipment like this.

And I'm surprised some
news organizations don't
have these things handy.

Demonstrations and
protests and of course riots
would be easy to

track and document
in detail even at night.
I think these will sell...

[Cannoneer No. 4]

I was wondering if you think your Stryker list might want pinging here...

Possibly. I have pinged the hard-core SBCT-watchers. The only RSTA squadrons I know of are in the Stryker Brigades. The discussions up to this point haven't touched on the RSTA Squadron of the SBCT much.

What do you think, archy?

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Stryker Test Highlights Advanced Electronics

The three reconnaissance troops have more than four-dozen Strykers (reconnaissance vehicles), which are equipped with the Long Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System (LRAS3). Produced by Raytheon, LRAS3 provides long-range target acquisition and far target location capabilities to RSTA forces, enabling them to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance missions while remaining outside of threat acquisition and engagement ranges.

The RSTA Squadron’s remaining formation, the surveillance troop, encompasses nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) reconnaissance elements that currently are being equipped with surrogate “Fox” wheeled vehicles pending development and delivery of the planned Stryker NBC vehicle. In addition, the unit is equipped with a number of other systems, including the Remotely Monitored Battlefield Sensor System-II; ground surveillance radars; Shadow 200 unmanned aerial vehicles; and Prophet electronic intelligence systems.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

RSTA SQUADRONS, 14TH CAVALRY

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Heads Up from Dragoon Troop!

[centurion316]

RSTA-MEP was developed for the Stryker Brigades. Currently fielded to the RSTA squadrons of SBCT 1 (3 Bde 2 ID) and SBCT 2 (1 Bde 25 ID), 1st and 2d Squadrons, 14th Cavalry. They are mounted on the reconnaissance versions of the LAVIII. A HWWMV-mounted version has been developed as a Rapid Fielding Initiative to meet urgent requirements. The RSTA package is a very capable sensor suite that is mounted on a boom that can be raised from the vehicle hiding in a defalaide position.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Like the Coyote?

[theFIRMbss]

>Shadow 200 unmanned aerial vehicles

"The Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) system is designed as a ground maneuver commander's primary day/night reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and battle damage assessment system.

The Shadow 200 is a small, lightweight, tactical UAV system. The system is comprised of air vehicles, modular mission payloads, ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment, and communications equipment. It will carry enough supplies and spares for an initial 72 hours of operation. It will be transportable in two high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs) with shelters, and two additional HMMWVs with trailers as troop carriers.

A single TUAV system includes three Shadow 200 air vehicles with a fourth air vehicle as part of the issued equipment of the maintenance section. The air vehicle is constructed of composite materials, with a wingspan of 12.3 feet, and length of 11.2 feet. Power is provided by a commercial 38-horsepower rotary engine that uses motor gasoline (MOGAS). The payload has a commercially available electro-optic and infrared camera, and communications equipment for command and control and imagery dissemination. Onboard global positioning system instrumentation provides navigation information.

The air vehicle is intended to provide coverage of a brigade area of interest for up to four hours, at 50 kilometers from the launch and recovery site. The maximum range is 125 kilometers (limited by data link capability), and operations are generally conducted from 8,000 to 10,000 feet above ground level during the day and 6,000 to 8,000 feet above ground level at night. The air vehicle uses a pneumatic launcher and is recovered by a tactical automatic landing system without pilot intervention on the runway. The air vehicle is stopped using an arresting hook and cable system.

The TUAV system must provide 12 hours of continuous operations within a 24-hour period. It must be able to surge to 18 hours within a 24-hour period, for up to three consecutive days. The system must be able to keep pace with a brigade's movement, with rapid emplacement/displacement times. An air vehicle may be passed between control stations or launch and recovery stations to facilitate these requirements. ..."

[archy]

Possibly. I have pinged the hard-core SBCT-watchers. The only RSTA squadrons I know of are in the Stryker Brigades. The discussions up to this point haven't touched on the RSTA Squadron of the SBCT much.

What do you think, archy?

You might as well let everyone in on it. Whether the RSTA concept gets fine-tuned and develops into something a little beyond what's now envisioned, something very much along those lines is going to be a part of the Stryker brigades and whatever eventually replaces them.

I suspect that some parts of the program are going to be outstripped by advances in the technology and require workarounds, but those familiar with the system are probably going to be in pretty good shape to do so, so long as they're not initially learning the system under fire.

-archy-/-

[Cannoneer No. 4]

I hope scouts in the RSTA Squadrons don't get so dependent upon the Buck Rogers high-tech gear that they forget how to use the Mk I Eyeball. Do they even have 19D scouts?

After Action Report From Iraq

September 12, 2003

TM C/3-15 Infantry, Task Force 1-64 Armor "Desert Rogues"

The enemy faced by this unit hid his tanks and vehicles under camouflaged covers, beneath bridge overpasses, inside of buildings on narrow streets, and under low trees. These enemy systems were not seen until they were only meters away. No degree of IPB (Intelligence Preparation of the Batlefield) could compensate, alert, or prepare any US force for the massive numbers of RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades) stored in houses, shacks, lockers, and cars. The only way to counter RPGs fired from covered and concealed positions was to absorb the hit, identify the source of the fire, and respond with massive overwhelming firepower.

The current doctrine recommends clearing the built up area with dismounted troops prior to any armored vehicles entering. This Task Force proved that this is not a requirement and is not necessarily the best initial course of action. By moving armored vehicles along a pre determined route and destroying any enemy forces whether dug in, in buildings, or on roof tops with massive overwhelming fires from M1A1 tanks and M2A2 fighting vehicles, an entire line of communication can be opened up allowing access not only into the built up area but through it also. Once the line of communication is open, clearing operations with dismounted forces are much easier. A key to this is the overwhelming psychological effect the firepower of these weapon systems have on the enemy once the initial raid is conducted, almost all remaining enemy forces will withdraw from the initial shock. This initial shock of overwhelming firepower facilitates the attacks of dismounted infantrymen into the built up area.

Recommendation: The BCT submit to the United States Army Infantry School and the United States Armor School an update to the current urban operations doctrine. Additionally, send only vehicles that can sustain RPG hits into urban combat zones.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

SBCT ping

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Issue: The employment of Hunter Killer teams.

Discussion: This unit, while conducting combat operations, had great success through the utilization of hunter killer teams. The combination of scouts with LRASS (Long-Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System) and tanks and fighting vehicles proved invaluable at the detection and destruction of enemy vehicles and dismounted infiltration attempts.

By locating a scout section with LRASS, which could observe out to 10,000m, at a location that had maximum observation, the scouts, could provide real time intelligence and 10 digit grid locations to the company team enabling the company team to move to and engage with direct fires and/or utilize mortar fires to destroy enemy forces. This proved to be a great TTP (Tactics, Techniques and Procedures) while at OBJ RAMS, An Najaf, and while blocking on HWY 1.

Recommendation: Doctrine be published based upon the success of the task force operations utilizing hunters and killers, specifically, integrating scouts, infantry, and armor forces into an effective organization which can identify, assess, and destroy the enemy.

[FreedomPoster]

>>Can I get one at my Hummer dealer?

I just want a ring mount and a Ma Deuce. I figure I could make good time in traffic.

[Poohbah]

(Expletive deleted) the Ma Deuce, that's for slack-jawed faggots! Mount a Mark 19, and you'll be a sexual tyrannosaurus, just like me! </Jesse Ventura Mode> </Ordnance Flick Mode>

[FreedomPoster]

>>Recommendation: The BCT submit to the United States Army Infantry School and the United States Armor School an update to the current urban operations doctrine. Additionally, send only vehicles that can sustain RPG hits into urban combat zones.

Great. Doesn't jive too well with mass deployment of Strykers.

[Darksheare]

Police drooling over it.. heck!
I know several Artillery types who would kill to have a few of those things..
Or something like it mounted on a different vehicle.