Live Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (CREW) training is now available at U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) home station locations. Live CREW training enables a FORSCOM home station capability to train the operability between actual program of record CREW equipment (DUKE, Thor III, Baldr) with robotics, handheld devices as well as other frequency dependent devices such as radios and Blue Force Tracker, in a collective environment for both mounted and dismounted operations.
Soldiers completing a specialized modeling and simulation software course, known as Interactive Scenario Builder (Builder), will be able to incorporate live CREW training simulations at their home station. The Builder course is being implemented to instruct Spectrum Managers, Network Enterprise Center (NEC) personnel, and EW personnel (both Officers and non-commissioned officers) at FORSCOM locations. The weeklong course has been taught at both Fort Bragg and Fort Stewart, and will soon be offered at Fort Carson and Fort Hood.
Builder is a three-dimensional, interactive Radio Frequency (RF) developed by the Advanced Tactical Environmental Simulation Team (ATEST) at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) that aids in understanding the RF environment. The software has the capability to integrate coordinates, terrain imagery, and elevation data to produce data.
Through Builder, Soldiers are able to use the software to incorporate mission planning and analysis, tactical decision-making and Counter Radio Controlled IED (RCIED) defeat analysis. Builder provides a user-friendly graphical interface to simulate the RF capabilities of a number of different CREW systems. The software uses physics-based models that accurately compute signal levels in the presence of varying terrain, objects, soil conditions, atmospheric conditions, and other situations. The results of simulations are used to determine a CREW system's effectiveness at suppressing the operation of various enemy communication links.
The course, developed in accordance with FORSCOM Spectrum Management Office (SMO) personnel, the Army Spectrum Management Office (ASMO) and the Army Frequency Management Office-United States and possessions (AFMO--US&P), is utilized to coordinate an Electronic Warfare Area of Operations (EWAOP). The recommendation from AFMO US&P was to support the proposed EWAOP at additional FORSCOM installations by using the same frequency resources approved at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, home to the EW school at the Army Fires Center of Excellence. "Two key agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), have already agreed to support limited operations at Fort Sill, which makes this a good model to duplicate and move forward," says SGM Michelle Nash, Senior Spectrum Manager, FORSCOM Spectrum Management Office (SMO).
Builder gives the FCC and FAA the ability to visually "see" measured data in the frequency spectrum and it gives users the ability to jam threat frequencies in both mounted and dismounted operations. In coordination with the FAA and FCC, Builder plots are required to provide supporting documentation for mitigation of any anticipated radio frequency interference with other authorized users.
"Builder is definitely the missing piece to provide CREW training at home station," says Phillip Crandell, CREW Training Developer at Fort Stewart. "This software allows us to conduct in-depth analysis of Jamming systems as well as begin the deconfliction process with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) necessary for establishing an EW Area of Operation at Fort Stewart, GA. The development of an Electronic Warfare Area of Operations at Fort Stewart will facilitate beginner, intermediate, and advanced training of equipment that is dependent on the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS), such as Robotics, Handheld Detectors, 2-way Radios, etc., giving users the ability to operate in a more complex environment and ultimately increase their proficiency."
CREW systems help Soldiers to defeat deadly improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, by blocking radio signals used by insurgents to detonate the devices remotely. These systems are designed to protect against current and emerging IED threats and deny enemy use of the radio frequency spectrum. Because the IED threat has a worldwide presence and exists in a multitude of environmental, social and geographical settings, countering these devices is a top priority for the Department of Defense.
Since CREW has been highly effective in preventing the remote detonation of IEDs, it highlights the need for sustained electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. As the electronic spectrum gets more congested and military operations are conducted in collaboration with civilian activities, EW professionals are required to carry out their operations in such a way as to not disrupt civilian life, and conversely not be jammed by cell phones and other civilian uses of the spectrum. The rapid development of international wireless devices has complicated the situation leading to the necessity of using modeling and simulation software to conduct CREW simulations.
"Builder is the only analysis program accepted by both the FAA and the FCC, and Builder software is required to produce FAA/FCC required spectral coverage plots (an electromagnetic "footprint") in designated FAA frequency bands," says SGM Nash. "Without these plots, the FAA and FCC will not consider or approve frequency clearance requests for use of live EW systems in the contiguous United States."
By following the guidelines established for Army participation in Service, Joint, U.S., host-nation, and international spectrum management activities ensures that Army spectrum-dependent systems use the RF spectrum effectively and efficiently in compliance with the established telecommunication laws, rules, and regulations and are designed to minimize the potential for harmful interference. Electronic warfare (EW) equipment, which includes CREW technology, must be compatible with other military spectrum-dependent systems operating in the electromagnetic environment, including training scenarios.
The purpose of the EWAOP is to execute the Commanders intent to provide asymmetric warfare materiel and non-materiel solutions for non-program of record/non-standard and commercial off-the-shelf Counter-IED (C-IED) systems, which is conducted via home station training. The course will train military and Counter Improvised Explosive Devise Integration Cells (CI2C) personnel to use Builder to develop electronic attack requests for each respective installation. This will allow home station training using live CREW equipment. "It will be the responsibility of C-IED personnel for each respective installation to clearly define the types of EW and C-IED operations which will occur within the proposed EWAOP," says SGM Nash.
After completing the Builder course, live CREW training simulations at home station must be carefully coordinated with FORSCOM Spectrum Management Office (SMO) personnel. A written Electronic Attack (EA) clearance request must be submitted along with Builder plots (CJCSM 3212.02D) to the Army Spectrum Management Office (ASMO) and the Joint Spectrum Center (JSC) for final analysis. The JSC then coordinates with the FCC and the FAA to obtain approved frequencies. The timeline can be as few as 40 days for approval and up to 75 days for multiple planned RF submissions. All Builder plots, correspondence and requests need to be submitted via the Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet).
Builder is continually undergoing modifications and improvements to handle as many of these scenarios as possible. NRL works closely with all organizations to refine modeling and simulation programs to faithfully model antenna patterns, threat protocols, and various geographical and environmental configurations. The software will be utilized to refine operating parameters of the CREW devices and to provide the operational community with a tool for mission rehearsal and route planning. "The next version of Builder will allow for convoy routes in training exercises, with the ability to actually see vehicles moving," says Ronie Daney, Telecommunications Manger, FORSCOM SMO.
"Soldiers who have taken the Builder course and utilized those skills are a huge asset to our Army," says SGM Nash. "CREW training should remain a top priority, as it will continue to save Soldier's lives and is an important component to the future of warfare."
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For more information on Builder or the FORSCOM Spectrum Management Office, contact SGM Michelle Nash, michelle.m.nash.mil@mail.mil, 910-570-7640 and Mr. Ronie Daney, Ronie.c.daney.civ@mail.mil, 910-570-5642.
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