25 February 2019

IDEX 2019: Systematic showcases C2 software for Fire Support

by Giles Ebbutt

Danish software company Systematic has developed a fire-support module for its Sitaware command-and-control (C2) software called Sitaware Fire Support, and showcased it at the IDEX 2019 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

SitaWare consists of three interoperable and scalable segments: Sitaware Headquarters (HQ), designed for use in command posts (CP) and HQ at battalion level and above; SitaWare Frontline, a battle management system intended principally for use in vehicles; and SitaWare Edge for dismounts.

The new module, which will be known as Thor in Danish service, was developed in response to a Danish Army requirement for a digital fires capability for use with its newly acquired Caesar 155 mm self-propelled howitzers from Nexter and its Cardom 10 120 mm mortars from Hirtenberger, which will be integrated onto Piranha V armoured vehicles.

The new capability enables fire mission data – first generated by a forward observer and passed to the gun crew via a joint fires cell or similar element – to be digitally transferred into a fire-control system (FCS), where the ballistic calculations are made. The forward observer will then activate the mission but the weapon will actually be fired by the gun crew, ensuring a human is in the loop.

A screenshot of the Sitaware Fires module in Frontline showing danger calculations by a forward observer. (Systematic)

The module is used in Sitaware Frontline (for the observer and the weapon system) and Sitaware HQ (for the fire direction centre). This provides the user with access to all the C2 functionality available in the system. For example, access to the tactical picture enables an observer to calculate possible danger areas for friendly forces close to the target, and to assess possible collateral damage risks.

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