Sample Military Science Assignment

File no (DLR 5-3)

7 Sep 04

OP ACHILLES NAVIGATION AID REQUIREMENTS

References : A. UOR, DLR 2004/ 11, GPS

B. UOR, DLR 2004/ 22, Individual Compass

AIM

•  The aim of this paper is to review the requirement for navigational and positional information aids for the forces deployed on Op ACHILLES.

INTRODUCTION

•  Op ACHILLES is the Canadian Forces contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Atlantis (UNPAT) mandated under UN Resolution 1245. The Canadian Forces deployment to Atlantis consists of an infantry Battle Group equipped with LAV III, reinforced with engineer and signals resources. The primary role of the Canadian Contingent UNPAT is to provide static observation posts (OPs) and mobile patrols, vehicle and dismounted, throughout the island of Atlantis.

•  Two UORs for individual navigational aids in support of OP ACHILLES have been submitted at references. Although the UOR at reference A has been approved, the validity of reference B may be in question.

NAVIGATIONAL AND POSITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

•  General Navigation Requirements . In simplest terms a soldier needs three information types in order to navigate: information on position at start and desired position at the end; information on direction of movement, either intended or completed; and information about the terrain that is being traversed. Terrain information is normally provided by some sort of map (formal or amateur) or aerial photograph.

•  Op ACHILLES Operational Requirements . Atlantis is an island-country characterized by its mixed terrain types (mountainous, open and forests/ jungle). It includes several large cities and a multitude of villages. The road system is primarily packed dirt and trails, many of which are not identified on the current suite of operational maps. There have been reports that have confirmed the existence of minefields throughout the AOR. It is anticipated that the deployed troops will have to operate throughout a wide range of climatic conditions, including strong rain storms. Three key tasks have been given to the deployed troops:

•  Monitor the activities of belligerent or subversive elements. This includes the conduct of aggressive patrolling (static OPs and mobile patrols) throughout the entire AOR and in all climatic and operational conditions,

•  Plot, chart and diffuse existing minefields, and

•  Establish secure, reliable communications throughout the AOR.

• Op ACHILLES Navigation and Position Information Requirements . To safely achieve their mission the deployed troops must be able to accurately navigate through all parts of Atlantis, in all weather conditions, and in all light conditions. Maps are available that cover all areas of Atlantis, though they are not up-to-date and detailed information such as roads, buildings, wooded areas is often incorrect. Thus, positional information that can augment the maps is highly desirable and navigation using only elements on the map may be suspect. In addition to knowing their own location, troops must be capable of determining the locations of threat obstacles, incident locations, belligerent force locations, locations from which any weapons firing occurs, etc. It is extremely useful for commanders to have a quick, accurate means of knowing the current position of all friendly forces. This also helps to reduce the risk of fratricide incidents.

POSITIONAL INFORMATION OPTIONS

•  GPS. GPS devices provide the quickest and most accurate positional information under normal conditions. It is also absolutely essential, at this point in time, for blue force tracking/automated situational awareness systems. However, in order to be fully accurate the GPS device (more precisely, the GPS antenna) must be receiving a minimum of four different satellite signals. In urban, wooded or mountainous terrain some masking of satellites can occur and the accuracy of the positional information decreases. Strong weather conditions, particularly rainstorms and snowstorms, can also greatly reduce the accuracy of the information. The final issue for GPS devices is that they require power. This is not much of an issue when used in vehicles, but it can become an issue when used by dismounted troops.

•  Compass. A compass, by itself, does not provide positional information. When utilized in conjunction with a known location, an accurate map, an aerial photo, or GPS information then it is usually possible for an experienced user to determine position with quite a high degree of accuracy. It can take some time, though, and can not be easily done while on the move. It can also be difficult to determine positional information at night or any times of darkness.

DIRECTIONAL INFORMATION OPTIONS

•  GPS. Unless the GPS device is connected to a digital compass and a laser system, and the information integrated into a digital map display (such as is the case with TACNAV in the LAV III), a GPS device is not particularly useful for directional information. It is possible to enter way points into the GPS, but the actual directional information received is really only one position relative to another. These problems are particularly acute when the GPS is used by dismounted soldiers in areas where satellite masking occurs. Furthermore it is quite difficult for dismounted soldiers to use in darkness with any degree of stealth.

•  Compass. Compasses provide rapid, reasonably accurate directional information in virtually all weather and lighting conditions. The magnetic declination for the part of the world must be known and some care needs to be taken when using the compass near any strong magnetic fields, but in general it is easy to use and reliable. Compasses are very well suited to determining the direction from any observer to any type of incident, obstacle, belligerent forces etc. As described earlier, this can be combined with the known position of the user to determine a reasonably accurate location for the incident, obstacle or personnel of interest.

CONCLUSIONS

•  In order to successfully complete their mission in Atlantis our forces require tools that provide both positional and directional information at all times of day and night, in all weather conditions and in a variety of urban and rural terrains.

•  GPS devices provide the quickest and most accurate positional information, and are essential for any blue force tracking system. However, the accuracy of GPS devices is affected by some weather conditions as well as any masking of satellite communications. Unless part of an integrated navigational system, GPS devices are not particularly good for directional information.

•  Compasses provide very good directional information in virtually all weather and light conditions. They can be used to determine positional information as long as they are combined with either a map, an aerial photo, GPS information or some other supplemental information.

•  The full requirements of our forces in Atlantis can only be met by a combination of GPS devices and compasses.

RECOMMENDATION

•  It is recommended that the UORs at references A and B be actioned without delay.

V.R. Ismart

Capt

DLR 5-3