ARMY AL&T
A USMC M1A1 Abrams main battle tank can positively identify friendly forces that have JCIMS with the use of IR and thermal optical technologies. Additionally, the M1A1 Abrams is also being protected from friendly fi re with JCIMS installed on the platform. (USMC photo by Cpl Theodore W. Ritchie.)
JCIMS Components The JCIMS, which has been fielded incrementally since 1995, is one solution to correcting friendly fire problems. JCIMS is managed by Product Director Target ID and Meteorological Sensors (PD TIMS) and consists of three components: Combat ID Panels (CIP), Thermal ID Panels (TIP), and Phoenix Infrared (IR) Lights. This combination, which is fielded on U.S. ground force vehicles for both the Army and U.S. Marines Corps (USMC), provides friendly forces ID through the use of IR and thermal optical technologies—a capability that helps to positively identify vehicles on the battlefield and reduce the risk of friendly fire upon their comrades.
“CIPs are passive emitters that are mounted on vehicles. When viewed
through a thermal optic, a distinctive signature is visible that helps make a more informed ‘shoot/don’t shoot’ decision at the point of engagement,” said Mike Starr, PD TIMS, Combat ID liaison to the U.S. Army Armor Center.
CIPs are the primary ground-to-ground thermal marking device for the ground force, while the TIP is the primary air- to-ground marker as it offers fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft situational aware- ness (SA) of the location of friendly forces on the ground. The Phoenix IR Light gives off a continuous signal, which can be viewed by forces using image intensification technologies, such as night vision goggles (NVGs). During mounted operations, the Phoenix IR beacon is used primarily by driv- ers of combat and support vehicles to maintain SA of where they are, relative
For more than a decade, JCIMS has proven to be a simple but effective lifesaving capability for U.S. ground forces and will continue to provide the friendly force target ID needed by our warfi ghters to avoid incidents of fratricide.
12 APRIL –JUNE 2010
to the other platforms in their forma- tion. The Phoenix IR beacon is also a resource for dismounted Soldiers equipped with NVGs and is used to mark personnel, caches, obstacles, obstacle lanes, sectors of fire, etc. When used with the appropriate tactics, tech- niques, and procedures (TTPs), the CIP, TIP, and Phoenix IR Light signifi- cantly reduce the chance of mistakenly engaging friendly units.
“JCIMS is compliant with the NATO Standardization Agreement 2129,” notes Starr. The standardization agreement, Identifi cation of Land Forces on the Battlefi eld and in an Area of Operation, ensures that the system meets the wavelength and optic requirements for the NATO community. With various NATO ground and air forces participat- ing in the Afghanistan coalition force, it is imperative that they be able to posi- tively identify targets before engaging.
The JCIMS components themselves are relatively simple technologies that are fairly inexpensive. Following their introduction into the Army and USMC arsenals in 1995, the system’s capabilities have significantly improved over time.
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