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Enhancing the concept of UGS into a closed-loop
net-centric weapon system, the IMS systems will be fielded as part
of the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program, providing alerting,
location and destruction of enemy forces, as well as reliable
battle damage information.
The IMS sensor will gather data and transmit
target features based on three types of target signatures:
acoustic, magnetic and seismic. Each sensor node will be able to
provide signatures to estimate the target type, bearing and
direction of movement. The system will be able to differentiate
between tanks, trucks and personnel carriers and send reports to
the control point. IMS will use self-configuring and self-healing
communications network integrated into the Brigade-and-Below
(FBCB2) and the Unit of Action networks. The system
will also be able to determine the appropriate effects module to
engage the target and the time it should activate for maximum
effectiveness. Distributed situational awareness nodes will be
used as an integral part of the system, providing sensing and
communications to the intelligent munitions. The munitions will
use mature Skeet based scatterable mine warhead technology
providing wide area top attack effects against vehicles and
fragmenting grenade lethality against dismounted personnel. It
will be interoperable with the Spider antipersonnel landmine
system.
Used for battlefield shaping, IMS will be employed
to deny terrain and isolate enemy forces, objectives and areas of
decisive operations, preventing enemy reinforcement their
withdrawal. As enemy movements in areas under IMS attacks are
reduced, targets will also become easy prey for other means of
attack. With the capability to be switched on and off on command
from friendly forces, IMS will render a flexible obstacle
providing the Unit of Action (UA) maximum security and maneuvering
flexibility. Operated in force protection roles, IMS will be used
to secure flanks, protect fixed facilities, provide close-in
protection of small units, fill gaps in dangerous terrain. When
equipped with non-lethal munitions, IMS will be able to deny
non-combatant movement in certain areas, and reduce the risk of
collateral damage in uncertain situations. The IMS
will be deployed dynamically, as part of the UA maneuverability
and battlefield shaping actions. Systems could be hand-emplaced,
remotely delivered, or launched from a dispenser module carried by
manned or unmanned ground vehicles. On 6th
July 2006 Textron Systems was awarded a US$115 million contract
for the IMS design and development phase. Low-rate initial
production of IMS is scheduled to start in 2008; delivery is
scheduled for 2010. Textron Systems' team partners include
Northrop Grumman, ITT Industries and BAE Systems. The IMS program is managed by the Army’s Office of Project Manager
Close Combat Systems. Other topics covered in this
feature include:
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