|
EADS Builds Virtual Battlelab, Eyes Faster Strikes on Fleeting
Targets
Embracing the network-centric warfare concept that's all the rage
in military circles, EADS is building its own net to help in the
development of programs and get potential customers hooked on
them.
Displayed at its stand, EADS is showing off a mini-version of
its emerging virtual battlelab, the Concept Development and Simulation
Experiment (CDSE) that will be part of the Network-Centric Operations
Simulations system. It will allow the company to tie together
models of various aircraft and other equipment, as well as simulators
to 'play' warfighting scenarios.
Here, the two engagements EADS is showcasing are a short-range
ballistic missile engagement, as well as an attack on a three-vehicle
convoy, with a medium altitude UAV (Eagle 1) designating the target
and a fighter (Typhoon) dropping the ordnance-remarkably, no collateral
damage is incurred.
EADS plans to build a mobile facility to take it to various customers
and wow them with their technology.
Outside the CDSE are several more specific applications of how
networking systems can benefit military users. One shows the ability
to build a time-sensitive targeting cell that would allow military
planners to more quickly attack fleeting targets such as ballistic
missile launchers. The concept calls for the planning cell to
operate encrypted networks that rely on internet technology. The
cell would receive in real-time sensor inputs from UAVs, manned
aircraft or satellites and be able to pass that information to
a decision authority before rapidly assigning strike aircraft.
The U.S. used a similar concept to attack targets during the latest
Iraq war, but European militaries don't have the same capability
to rapidly pass information within an operations center, an EADS
official noted. EADS wants to demo that the technology is in-hand
to achieve such an objective, hoping it will spark interest among
senior military planners.
A visit to the display shouldn't go without a brief stop at a
small holographic projection just outside the CDSE site, showing
various pieces of military hardware performing their missions.
By Robert
Wall
back
to ShowNews home
|
