The Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) is the system that fills this need. It provides the Army with its first multiple rocket artillery capability since World War II. The MLRS rocket warheads contain a large number of improved conventional submunitions which are dispensed from the rocket high over the target and blanket the area with explosives and fragments. These submunitions are devastating against targets such as air defense sites, artillery positions, and troops in the open. The submunitions are also effective against the thin top armor of tanks and other fighting vehicles. The MLRS will be used against concentrations of enemy vehicles, enemy artillery, and as an air defense suppression means.

Multiple Launch Rocket System provides massive and accurate fire power

The system also has incorporated a number of built-in efficiencies. The rockets are sealed in pods for shipment and require no maintenance after leaving the factory. The MLRS tracked carrier vehicle is a derivative of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and has the same power train and level of armor protection for the crew's protection. Although normally operated by a threeman crew, in an emergency one soldier can operate the entire system. Devices on the launcher can determine both location and direction, and an on-board computer unit computes fire commands, sets fuzes, and automatically fires the rockets. The vehicle cab is designed so that crew-members can remain in the cab during rocket firing. It also has a positive overpressure system to protect the crew in the cab from exhaust gases during launch. The FY87 Budget is for continuation of the fifth year of a five year multiyear contract of this important new system.

The MLRS was developed by the US in cooperation with Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy. In conjunction with Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, we are pursuing the development of Terminally Guided Warhead (TGW) submunitions. These submunitions will enable the MLRS to attack hard point targets in excess of 30 kilometers from the launcher. The concept calls for a rocket to fly to the kill zone, where the

Terminal Guided
Warhead

M198

M119 for light divisions

Improvements are part of overall

modernization

M198 Howitzer

warhead will disponse multiple submunitions that seek out and destroy enemy hard targets. The FY87 budget will provide the continued funding for TGW component development and demonstration.

The M198, 155mm Towed Howitzer, is the general support artillery for the non-mechanized divisions. It is also our newest howitzer. It is capable of firing 30 kilometers using a rocket assisted projectile. The M198 provides major increases in range and reliability over its predecessors and may be delivered by parachute or carried by a variety of cargo aircraft and the CH-47 helicopter. The M198 can fire scatterable mines, nuclear rounds, improved conventional munitions (ICM's), conventional high explosives, and Copperhead. Although our budget does not contain M198 procurement funds for this fiscal year, our long-range plan forecasts additional procurements beginning in FY88 and continuing through FY91.

The Army's Light Divisions have a requirement for a lightweight howitzer with increased range and lethality over the existing M102 105mm howitzer The Army has been testing the in-production British Light Gun (L119) and in December 1985, type classified it for procurement as the M119. In 1987, the first year of procurement, 64 units will be purchased. Compared to the M102's range of 11.5KM, the M119 fires conventional HE to 14.3KM and 19.1KM with a Rocket Assisted Projectile (RAP) which is in development. A Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) is also being developed for the M119, a munition with a great increase in lethality. Under a licensing agreement with the UK, all UK production will occur, to be followed by co-production and then total on-shore U.S. production. The 105mm howitzer is scheduled to begin fielding in FY88.

The mechanized and armored portions of our force structure have the M109 self-propelled 155mm howitzer and the M110 8-inch self-propelled howitzer. These weapons date back to the 1960's, but have been improved over the intervening years. We have extended the range of the 155mm howitzer to 24 kilometers and the range of the 8-inch howitzer to 30 kilometers using rocket-assisted projectiles. We are continuing to modify the M109 in order to extend the life of the system to at least the year 2000. In this year's

budget request we have asked for continued funding to procure modification kits that will provide increases in survivability and capability.

We are also conducting research and development of improvements that will provide additional increases in armament reliability and survivability against NBC attack and counterfire, as well as increased responsiveness and reduced crew fatigue. The howitzer improvements are only part of the overall effort leading to modernization of the Artillery System.

Ground/Vehicle
Laser Locator
Designator

FISTV: Responsive to commanders

The Ground/Vehicle Laser Locator Designator (G/VLLD) is used by artillery forward observers. This dual-purpose device is used by a forward observer to determine target ranges precisely and to designate targets for laser-guided projectiles, missiles, or bombs. The G/VLLD achieved its initial operational capability in 1982. The FY87 budget provides for continued procurement. In our armored and mechanized units the Fire Support Team (FIST) requires a mounted vehicular capability. The new Fire Support Team Vehicle (FISTV) will give the FIST armor protection, mobility, and built-in communications which will enable it to operate with fast-moving armor, mechanized infantry, and cavalry units, and be responsive to the maneuver commander.

The FISTV represents a combination of new laser improved artillery observer equipment with the proven performance of the M113A2 personnel carrier. The vehicle is very similar in appearance to the Improved TOW Vehicle and incorporates the G/VLLD in an armored, elevated module mounted on an M113A2 chassis. The FISTV is equipped with a north-seeking gyro that provides the directional data needed for accurate artillery fire requests. It can operate in hull defilade with only the elevated G/VLLD module exposed, thereby increasing survivability. The FY87 funding provides for continued procurement of FISTV Modification Kits. The Army plans to convert 178 M113's to FISTV's this year.

The first vehicles were fielded to the 24th Infantry Division in August 1985. The effective management of the enhanced capability we have been describing is an important responsibility of the Field Artillery. Specifically, our artillerymen have the "fire support mission" for the collective employment of mortars, field artillery, air support, naval gunfire, and other lethal and non-lethal (smoke, illumination) attack systems in support of combat operations. To accomplish this mission, fully automated support for planning, coordination, control, and execution of close support, counterfire, interdiction, and air suppression fires is required to maximize our combat power.

Our Field Artillery Tactical Fire Direction System (TACFIRE), as currently fielded, represents first generation technology that provides automated data processing of technical fire control data, selection of munitions and volume of fire for enhanced target accuracy. However, the requirements for a total fire support package that provides (1) development of targets and delivery of fires; (2) coordination and control of fires and fire support assets; and (3) planning for future operations represent severe limitations for TACFIRE on tomorrow's battlefield. In essence, TACFIRE will not meet the data processing needs of the fire support system for the 1990's and beyond. It also is not economically smart to produce TACFIRE spare parts by mid 1990 because of outdated technology. TACFIRE's replacement, The Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS), will significantly broaden and modernize the US Army fire support command, control, and coordination systems. The AFATDS will expand the TACFIRE capabilities with no increase in personnel requirements and will provide automated support for the Fire Support Control Segment of the Army Command and Control System (ACCS) during the 1990-2010 timeframe. Compatibility and interoperability will be provided with all existing and planned US Army Field Artillery Systems to include sensor systems, related NATO systems from the United Kingdom (BATES) and the Federal Republic of Germany (ALDER), the Marine Integrated Fire and Air Support System (MIFASS), and other Functional Control Segment Systems in the command and control architecture.

The AFATDS will retain selected systems of the present TACFIRE for total system integration. For example, the related technical system which provides firing data to each individual weapon will be retained. The Fire Support Team and Forward Observer Digital Message Devices will continue to be the "forward entry devices" in AFATDS and are "not" part of the AFATDS funding program.

Lastly, AFATDS represents the Army's first automated program that is truly software driven. Specifically, prior to any final hardware consideration, user requirements must be accurately defined and then translated, through software development, into a DOD higher order level language (Ada). Once the user software is written, then the hardware will be selected. This approach ensures users satisfaction; it maximizes detailed functional definition of the fire support, command, control and coordination requirement; it provides a basis for a market survey for procuring hardware components that is driven by the user requirements.

Target acquisition within the fire support mission area is of equal importance to fire delivery and control systems. The Firefinder system, consisting of AN/TPQ-36 mortar-locating radar and AN/TPQ-37 artillery locating radar, provides our soldiers the ability to automatically detect and locate enemy batteries in realtime and to attack them with timely and accurate counterbattery fire. The final procurement requests for Firefinder were FY81 (AN/TPQ-36) and FY83 (AN/TPQ 37), with the last units scheduled for delivery to the Army from these buys in July 1986 (AN/TPQ 36) and March 1987 (AN/TPQ 37). Plans project completion of fielding in 1988.

TACFIRE: Severely limited for

tomorrow's battlefield

AFATDS: Expanded automated capabilities