ASTAMIDS uses multispectral imaging and is multimission capable.

Freedom to maneuver, maneuver with speed, seeing first, understanding first and acting first are all Future Combat Systems (FCS) Brigade Combat Team (BCT) tenets applicable to the Airborne Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Minefield Detection System (ASTAMIDS). Known until just recently as the Airborne Standoff Minefield Detection System, ASTAMIDS was initiated as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) payload to detect surface laid and buried minefields and obstacle impediments to maneuver forces.

The ASTAMIDS combat developer is the Maneuver Support Center at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. As ASTAMIDS approached a Milestone B decision in early FY03, the FCS Army Transformation Program was beginning to move quickly. Harmonization of ASTAMIDS with FCS was strongly emphasized by BG Paul S. Izzo, Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Ammunition at the program Milestone B.

Immediately after Milestone B and the solicitation release, the team worked closely with the FCS Government and Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) One Team. Mr. James Freeman, LSI Lead for the Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Integrated Product Team (IPT), stressed coordination with other UAV payload missions. The team began to coordinate closely with Project Manager for Robotic and Unmanned Systems (PM RUS), which was working on an FCS UAV payload for reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and laser designation (RSTA/LD).

A system development and demonstration (SDD) phase ASTAMIDS contract was awarded March 26, 2003, to Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems (NGIS) of Melbourne, FL, less than five months after releasing the solicitation. Shortly thereafter, PM RUS funded a trade study under this contract to examine combining the countermine/assured mobility mission with the RSTA/LD mission. At the same time, the FCS program selected the Fire Scout RQ-8B as the FCS UAV to perform the combined Class III and IV missions.

By this time, ASTAMIDS harmonization with the FCS was well underway. The Subordinate Memorandum of Agreement, synchronization of schedules and requirements, Associate Contractor Agreement, LSI IPT linkages and other FCS synchronization efforts were all in various stages of progress.

Throughout this period, multiple LSI IPT teams were assessing state-of-the-art sensor technologies, UAV technology and tactical data/information processing and networking, as well as user requirements for assorted assured mobility and numerous RSTA and LD functions. Extensive coordination between the PM for Close Combat Systems (CCS) and FCS on horizontal technology integration and organizations was breaking through mindset barriers and implementing development strategies at a relentless pace.

It should be remembered that, concurrently with these efforts, the U.S. Army was also at war in Southwest Asia, which placed additional demands for PEO Ammunition managed items. For instance, there were numerous operational requests for low-density, nonstandard countermine equipment to support ongoing efforts of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Improvised explosive devices were showing up increasingly in Iraq, and area and route mine clearance was a big mission in Afghanistan. Up-armored vehicles and countermine equipment were needed everywhere to protect troops.

Meanwhile, tradeoff studies, systems engineering, and cost and operational benefit analyses were underway for FCS UAV sensors. In April 2004, then-PM for FCS BG Donald F. Schenk approved plans to perform both the countermine/assured mobility and the RSTA/LD missions in one common ASTAMIDS payload within the FCS program. The ASTAMIDS combined-mission payload provides optimization for all users and missions.

The FCS One Team helped make this happen. The enabling technologies being used in the ASTAMIDS UAV payload are only just beginning to be fully exploited. The linkage of high quality digital information and imagery coming from FCS UAV sensors is exciting. This information will be shared with joint forces, ranging from Special Operations Forces to Heavy Armor Modular Brigades, and with weapons systems from Selectable Lightweight Attack Munition and Intelligent Munitions System, to Joint forces Joint Direct Attack Munitions and assorted team members — the tips of the spears. This information sharing help provide more freedom to safely maneuver on the fluid battlefield.

Immediately following the FCS combined mission payload decision, prime contractors were directed to move toward a slightly larger gimbal (the mount used to hold the ASTAMIDS payload) to allow additional space for the addition of a laser designator into the design. Through the summer and fall of 2004, detailed FCS RSTA/LD requirements were extensively coordinated with all stakeholders and inserted into the ASTAMIDS contract performance specification and statement of work. A proposal for a modified design approach to meet all requirements was received in December from NGIS and carefully evaluated. The ASTAMIDS prime contract modification to add the RSTA/LD functionality to the original ASTAMIDS was officially awarded on April 1, 2005.

To reflect the combined countermine/assured mobility and RSTA/LD mission and program requirements within the FCS (BCT), a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was developed between PM CCS, PM RUS and PM Unit of Action Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. The ASTAMIDS system description from this MOA provides a summary of what this FCS UAV payload will do.

“ASTAMIDS detects, locates and identifies ground targets, minefields and obstacles, designates and determines ranges to ground targets for attack by a variety of laser guided munitions,” according to the MOA. “When integrated with the FCS Class IVa Fire Scout RQ-8B UAV, the capability to conduct RSTA, target designation and minefield detection will be a key future capability of the BCT-equipped force on a single UAV payload. This full-range capability is provided by a multispectral payload using daylight TV, mid-wave infrared and multispectral imaging sensors operating in the visible and infrared spectrums. These sensors are augmented by an eye-safe laser range finder (LRF), laser illuminator and laser designator. The hardware is integrated into a gimbal that uses advanced “step and stare” technology to scan the ground. Advanced automatic detection software processing of ASTAMIDS imagery that exploits fused multi-spectral images and other advanced concepts allows for near real-time operations in multiple and varied worldwide environments.”

ASTAMIDS could help Soldiers and Marines in various ways. Operationally, ASTAMIDS could be deployed on UAVs ahead of a U.S. Army or U.S. Marine Corps maneuver element as it races over the battlefield toward its objective — with supporting thrusts happening to their left and right. ASTAMIDS could survey the land around places like Bagram Air Base and the local road network, so that the Soldiers clearing dangerous ordnance will have advance information on potential mined or hazard areas and thus be better prepared and take appropriate safety precautions. A swarm of ASTAMIDS equipped UAVs could prevent a maneuver force from being funneled into an enemy planned kill-sack by providing needed information on possible bypasses or safe lanes. ASTAMIDS-equipped UAVs could provide sensor overwatch of Fallujah, enabling Soldiers and Marines to keep tabs on threat movements and activities. Or, an ASTAMIDS-equipped UAV could chase enemies back to their base, catch them with all their IED-manufacturing materials and relay this information to nearby friendly units.

It will take the FCS Army and industry team 5 years to reach fielding of the ASTAMIDS currently projected for FY 2010, but development is proceeding as fast as is practical. Time spent bringing this capability to the field will be well worth it. FCS can spin off technology as it is ready but the ultimate payoff for the Soldier will come with a fully-synchronized, interlinked UAV sensor-equipped force. The FCS program has put an excellent and focused Army and industry One Team in place and this team is executing the vision of a fully-networked FCS force. Information provided by ASTAMIDS will save lives and help our Soldiers win the fight.