Blue force

Blue Force PROTECTOR

- every life matters
Fratricide and collateral damage have always been serious and unfortunate factors
in military operations.
FEATURES
The main purpose of Blue Force PROTECTOR is to give the armed forces:
- Blue on Blue warnings /
• a capability to reduce the risk for fratricide prevent fratricide
- Time Sensitive Targeting
• increased operational tempo through improved Situational Awareness (SA) - Integrated Mortar Fire
due to networking and sharing of information and sensor data Control
- Optimized use of sensors
• a more combat efficient system through the System of Systems integration - Indirect Fire Support
and increased functionality (FO-, JTAC-functionality)
- Interactive Chat
For many years KONGSBERG has developed products like PROTECTOR Remote - Interoperability / Network
Weapon Station (RWS) and ComBatt C2IS, a Command & Control Information Enabled Capabilities (NEC)
Systems for Army Operations.

Blue Force PROTECTOR (BFP) represents a new capability at vehicle level. It

is a system which is integrated with the successful PROTECTOR RWS and the
main objectives are to reduce the risk for Blue on Blue incidents and support
commanders in near real-time battle management. The system provides
functionality and information to the commanders in order to maintain SA in near
real-time, increase the efficiency and quality of the command and control process
and support the execution of their tasks.

WORLD CLASS – through people, technology and dedication

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 Reduce the risk for Blue-on Blue incidents
Fratricide and collateral damage have always been serious and unfortunate factors in military operations.
Blue Force PROTECTOR integrates the PROTECTOR RWS with the information system and the automated
blue force tracking. In order to reduce the risk for fratricide, Blue Force PROTECTOR monitors own forces
and alerts the gunner when he is about to engage friendly units. The operator will have both visual and audio
warnings when the weapon systems slews into sectors where blue forces are present.

Improved Situation Awareness

When networked and a part of the command chain, the system enables the commanders to control and execute
their mission in a safer and more efficient way (OODA loop). SA is “distributed”, information about own
position, friendly positions, neutral positions and enemy observations as well as important observations about
IED’s, UXO’s may be distributed to units in the network.

Geographic presentation of sensor coverage (Field of View), laser direction and weapon range may be used to
optimize use of all sensors and weapons.

Automated red force contact reports and dissemination of ISTAR products including Full Motion Video may
be filed and distributed upon request. Video and images from the RWS, together with recorded voice traffic,
may be available for after action reviews.

Time Sensitive Targeting

As a part of the Time Sensitive Targeting (TST) process and according to the Rules of Engagement (ROE)
a second opinion may be required. A view of the target (video / image) may be shared on-line with the
commander for approval and the gunner may execute the action within a short timeframe.

Blue Force PROTECTOR includes on-board ballistic calculations for Mortar fires in order release rapid
precision fire from the accompanying Mortar platoon. Blue Force PROTECTOR also includes functionality to
act as a Forward Observer, providing data and target information to the Artillery. In a Close Air Support role
(JTAC/FAC) the system may designate the targets by distributing messages on a dedicated radio in addition to
distribute Blue Force information as messages on a LINK16 network.

Point of interest or weapon slew requests based upon sniper detection sensors is implemented as well as
automatic filing of sniper reports. The issuance of sniper warnings may also be distributed to other units.

Messages and chat

Free text messages may be entered and distributed either addressed or broadcasted to all units. Interactive
chatting one-to-one or group chatting is also supported by the system.

Communication
Information exchange between the BFP nodes is achieved through radio communication. Depending on the
level of functionality needed this can be achieved using either low bandwidth communication channels, such
as VHF radios, or high bandwidth communication channels for live video streaming. Any Combat Net Radio
may be used. Some examples include Kongsberg MRR or WM600, Harris Falcon series or PR4G.

Scalability
Functionality varies depending on radio capability and level of ad-on functions and can extend from a pure
Blue Force Tracking system, through sensor and weapon integration, to a complete Battlefield Management
System.

Committed to standards
Information may be exchanged through standards like NFFI (NATO Friendly Force Information), VMF
(Variable Message Format), MIP (Multilateral Interoperability Program) or CTIDP (Artillery). Ballistics
is calculated according to NABK (AOP-37) and symbology is compliant with APP6A/MIL-STD 2525B.
Through the optional Army Gateway Link a number of tactical data Links may be supported, i.e.LINK16 /
JREAP.

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS

P.O.Box 1003 · N-3601 Kongsberg · Norway
Phone: +47 32 28 82 00 · Fax: +47 32 28 86 20
E-mail: office.kda@kongsberg.com