Plug and fight

Last updated

Plug-and-fight is the military equivalent of plug and play [1] as applied to commercial and personal computer systems. Plug-and-fight refers to the capability of certain large military systems such as the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) [2] to automatically recognize and assemble various system elements, like sensors, weapons, and control nodes, into a single integrated supersystem or system-of-systems. Plug-and-fight systems can be rapidly reconfigured without interrupting operations – adding, removing, and rearranging system elements in response to evolving threats and changing defense strategies. The architecture of such modular systems is often described as netted-distributed. Sensors, shooters, and tactical operations centers (TOC) simply act as nodes on the network, and a military commander can dynamically add or subtract these elements as the situation dictates without shutting the system down.

Plug-and-fight system elements connect to an open wired or wireless communication network through a standardized interface, and have the ability to interact with other system elements on that network to accomplish specific combat objectives. To maximize product applicability, and to ensure the general acceptance of system developers, any plug-and-fight standardized interface should be based on protocols and standards that are widely recognized, well defined, strongly controlled, and non-proprietary. Modern examples include Ethernet, IP, TCP, CORBA, and any specific message structure that can be freely disseminated and used without licensing.

MEADS was the first system to use standardized integrated Air and Missile Defense protocols. It was designed with plug-and-fight capabilities to support data exchange with external sensors and launchers through standardized open protocols for integrated air and missile defense (IAMD), so that MEADS elements can interoperate with allied forces on the move, attaching to and detaching from the battle management network as necessary. [3] In November 2011, MEADS system elements successfully performed a simulated engagement against real-world air and representative missile threats demonstrating plug-and-fight capabilities. [4]

The US Army Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) is in development since 2004. It is part of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) program, which aims to create an integrated network of air defense sensors and missile launchers using a suite of open standardized protocols. [5] IBCS control stations will replace engagement control stations (ECS) in Patriot missile system, along with seven other forms of ABM defense command systems. [6] [7] [8] [9] Supported sensors will include AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel and AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR, [10] AN/MPQ-53, AN/MPQ-65/65A and GhostEye (LTAMDS) in Patriot missile system, [11] GhostEye MR in NASAMS, MFCR and SR in MEADS, AN/TPY-2 in Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) [12] and Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD), [11] AN/SPY-1 and AN/SPY-6 in Aegis BMD, [13] and AN/APG-81 in Lockeed Martin F-35 Lightning II. [14] This network of sensors will be controlled by IBCS engagement control stations [15] which will be able to take fine control of army-fielded air-defense systems like Patriot and THAAD, directing radar positioning and suggesting recommended launchers, while naval, aerial and Marine systems will only be able to share either radar tracks or raw radar data with the IBCS network. [11] The Army requires all new missiles and air-defense systems to implement IBCS support. [16]

Related Research Articles

Anti-ballistic missile Surface-to-air missile designed to counter ballistic missiles

An anti-ballistic missile (ABM) is a surface-to-air missile designed to counter ballistic missiles. Ballistic missiles are used to deliver nuclear, chemical, biological, or conventional warheads in a ballistic flight trajectory. The term "anti-ballistic missile" is a generic term conveying a system designed to intercept and destroy any type of ballistic threat; however, it is commonly used for systems specifically designed to counter intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

MIM-104 Patriot Surface-to-air missile system

The MIM-104 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, the primary of its kind used by the United States Army and several allied nations. It is manufactured by the U.S. defence contractor Raytheon and derives its name from the radar component of the weapon system. The AN/MPQ-53 at the heart of the system is known as the "Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target" which is a backronym for PATRIOT. The Patriot system replaced the Nike Hercules system as the U.S. Army's primary High to Medium Air Defense (HIMAD) system and replaced the MIM-23 Hawk system as the U.S. Army's medium tactical air defence system. In addition to these roles, Patriot has been given the function of the U.S. Army's anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system, which is now Patriot's primary mission. The system is expected to stay fielded until at least 2040.

Aegis Combat System American integrated naval weapons system developed by RCA and produced by Lockheed Martin

The Aegis Combat System is an American integrated naval weapons system developed by the Missile and Surface Radar Division of RCA, and now produced by Lockheed Martin. It uses powerful computer and radar technology to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets.

Raytheon Missiles & Defense (RMD) is one of four business segments of Raytheon Technologies. Headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, its president is Wes Kremer. The business produces a broad portfolio of advanced technologies, including air and missile defense systems, precision weapons, radars, and command and control systems.

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense US ballistic missile defense system

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is an American anti-ballistic missile defense system designed to shoot down short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase by intercepting with a hit-to-kill approach. THAAD was developed after the experience of Iraq's Scud missile attacks during the Gulf War in 1991. The THAAD interceptor carries no warhead, but relies on its kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming missile. A kinetic energy hit minimizes the risk of exploding conventional-warhead ballistic missiles, and the warhead of nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles will not detonate upon a kinetic-energy hit.

The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) is a ground-mobile air and missile defense system intended to replace the Patriot missile system through a NATO-managed development. The program is a development of the United States, Germany and Italy.

United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command Military unit

The United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) is an Army Service Component Command (ASCC) of the United States Army. The command was established in 1997. The current USASMDC commander is Lieutenant General Daniel L. Karbler with Senior Enlisted Advisor Command Sergeant Major Finis A. Dodson.

Missile defense System that destroys attacking missiles

Missile defense is a system, weapon, or technology involved in the detection, tracking, interception, and destruction of attacking missiles. Conceived as a defense against nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), its application has broadened to include shorter-ranged non-nuclear tactical and theater missiles.

Link 16 is a military tactical data link network used by NATO and nations allowed by the MIDS International Program Office (IPO). Its specification is part of the family of Tactical Data Links.

NASAMS Norwegian surface-to-air missile system

NASAMS is a distributed and networked medium to long range surface-to-air missile defense system developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) and Raytheon. NASAMS was the first application of SLAMRAAM, a surface-based variant of AIM-120 AMRAAM.

Reorganization plan of United States Army

The reorganization plan of the United States Army is a current modernization (2017–2028) and reorganization (2006–2016) plan of the United States Army that was implemented (2006–2016) under the direction of Brigade Modernization Command. This effort formally began in 2006 when General Peter Schoomaker, was given the support to move the Army from its Cold War divisional orientation to a full-spectrum capability with fully manned, equipped and trained brigades; this effort was completed by the end of 2016. It has been the most comprehensive reorganization since World War II and included modular combat brigades, support brigades, and command headquarters, as well as rebalancing the active and reserve components. The plan was first proposed by the Army's 34th Chief of Staff, Eric Shinseki, in 1999, but was bitterly opposed internally by the Army.

A program executive officer, or PEO, is one of a few key individuals in the United States military acquisition process. As can be seen from the examples below, a program executive officer may be responsible for a specific program, or for an entire portfolio of similar programs.

94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Military unit

The 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command is an activated Air Defense Artillery command of the United States Army assigned to United States Army Pacific. It is headquartered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawai'i at the Pacific Air Force Headquarters.

32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command Military unit

The 32nd AAMDC or 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command is a theater level Army air and missile defense multi-component organization with a worldwide, 72-hour deployment mission. The 32nd AAMDC commands echelon above corps (EAC) ADA brigades and other assigned forces. Four such brigades, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, and 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade; by training, all stand ready to accomplish their mission of air defense against missile attack – 'anywhere, anytime' in support of the war-fighting combatant commander (CCDR).

AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar

The AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) is the United States Marine Corps next generation Air Surveillance/Air Defense and Air Traffic Control (ATC) Radar. The mobile active electronically scanned array radar system is currently being developed by Northrop Grumman and was expected to reach initial operating capability in August 2016.

The White Sands Test Center (WSTC) is responsible for planning and conducting tests at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico, USA. WSTC reports to the United States Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC). WSMR is designated as an activity within the Department of Defense (DoD) Major Range and Test Facility Base (MRTFB), a core set of DoD Test and Evaluation (T&E) infrastructure and workforce preserved as a national asset to support the DoD acquisition system. The Range possesses capabilities and infrastructure utilized by the US Army, Navy, Air Force and other government agencies as well as universities, private industry, and foreign militaries. As a tri-service facility, WSTC supports the Army by providing data collection and analysis, instrumentation development, modeling and simulation, research assessment, and technical services.

TPY-2 Surveillance radar

The AN/TPY-2 Surveillance Transportable Radar, also called the Forward Based X-Band Transportable (FBX-T) is a long-range, very high-altitude active digital antenna array X band surveillance radar designed to add a tier to existing missile and air defence systems. It has a range of 2,900 mi. Made by Raytheon, it is the primary radar for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system, but also cues the AN/MPQ-53 radar of the MIM-104 Patriot system. Patriot PAC-3 is a lower-altitude missile and air defense system than THAAD.

United States Army Futures Command US Army command aimed at moderniziation

The United States Army Futures Command (AFC) is a United States Army command, designed as a public-private initiative, that runs modernization projects for the Army. It is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and was first commanded by General John Murray.

Multi-Mission Launcher Short range air defense (SHORAD), Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM), and Multiple rocket launcher

The Multi-Mission Launcher (MML) is an open-systems architecture multi-role missile launching system created by the United States Army's Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center.

Command systems in the United States Army refers to electronic command systems implemented by the US Army to carry out important central functions to operation of its units and major commands.

References

  1. ↑ "Plug and Fight for Missile Might." Military-advanced-education.com. http://www.military-advanced-education.com/mit-archives/129-mit-2007-volume-11-issue-5/1160-plug-and-fight-for-missile-might.html. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
  2. ↑ “Plug-and-Fight.” http://meads-amd.com/about-meads/
  3. ↑ Archived January 26, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ “MEADS Demonstrates Advanced Plug-and-Fight Capabilities in Integration Test.” http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2011/november/MEADSDemonstratesAdvanced.html
  5. ↑ Theresa Hitchens (11 Aug 2021) JROC's Next Target: 'Integrated Air & Missile Defense'
  6. ↑ "Army Seeks To Field One-Size-Fits-All Battle Command System". Space News. 29 June 2004.
  7. ↑ Kiley, Gregory T. (17 May 2017). "Congress and the Administration Must Reassess Failing Missile Defense Programs". RealClearDefense. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  8. ↑ "Fort Sill Tribune staff (August 8, 2019) MOS 14E: Linchpin of Patriot missile system".
  9. ↑ "Jen Judson (11 Oct 2018) So Patriot and THAAD will talk. What does that really mean?". 10 October 2018.
  10. ↑ "Army's IBCS passed F-35 sensor data to artillery system at Project Convergence 21". 20 January 2022.
  11. 1 2 3 Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. Army IBCS: Joint, Up To A Point. Breaking Defense. 15 May 2020
  12. ↑ Jen Judson (27 March 2019) Army debuts missile defense framework in move to counter drones, hypersonic threats
  13. ↑ Tyler Rogoway. Here’s What The Army’s Long-Awaited Super Air Defense Network Can Actually Do. The Warzone. October 29, 2020
  14. ↑ Jen Judson (6 August 2019) F-35 talks to US Army's missile command system, says Lockheed
  15. ↑ Jen Judson (20 August 2019) US Missile Defense Agency boss reveals his goals, challenges on the job
  16. ↑ Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. New Missiles Must Work With IBCS Network: Bruce Jette (Exclusive). Breaking Defense. March 09, 2020
Icon vojn.svg

This military-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.