INTELLIGENT HOWITZER DECISION AID FOR RECONNAISSANCE SELECTION AND OCCUPATION OF POSITION (RSOP)

ARMY DOCTRINE STATES THAT QUICK, EFFECTIVE COMMAND AND CONTROL (C2) IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS ON THE BATTLEFIELD. THE INCREASING TEMPO AND LETHALITY OF THE MODERN BATTLEFIELD DICTATE THAT THE ARMY'S DISPERSED,SEMI-AUTONOMOUS UNITS AND SYSTEMS POSSESS THE CAPABILITY TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY ON THE BATTLEFIELD BY HAVING ON-BOARD INTELLIGENT C2 SYSTEMS. THE US ARMY FIELD ARTILLERY ENVISIONS THE DISPERSED, SEMIAUTONOMOUS OPERATION OF HOWITZER AND ROCKET SYSTEMS WHICH HAVE TO MOVE QUICKLY AND FREQUENTLY ON THE BATTLEFIELD. THESE SYSTEMS REQUIREON-BOARD, INTELLIGENT DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHICH ASSIST THE SYSTEM CREWS DURING THE RECONNAISSANCE, SELECTION, AND OCCUPATION OF POSITIONS (RSOP). THE PROPOSED SYSTEM PROVIDES AIDS TO THE WEAPON CREW AND CORRELATES CREW ACTIONS WITH PARENT UNIT REQUIREMENTS. THE MODULAR DESIGN OF SUCH A SYSTEM WOULD ALSO POSSESS EMBEDDED TRAINING CAPABILITIES. THIS PROJECT WILL ESTABLISH THE FUNCTIONAL AND OPERATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH A SYSTEM.