New Technology Takes Aim at Friendly Fire

Monday, August 25, 2003

By SSG Pascual J. Flores

U.S. Army


"BTIDS will provide tank gunners with an icon in their gun sight that will identify the target as friendly, or if it is not identifiable determine the target as unknown. The other feature of this device is BTIDS will communicate with gunners and commanders using an unambiguous voice informing them whether the target being lased is friendly or unknown. The use of an unambiguous voice will stand out during combat and prevent any misunderstanding to that target."

USA
The worst fear for soldiers in a combat situation is the possibility of coming under fire from friendly forces. As the fighting intensifies and the "fog of war'' grows, so does the fear.

The engagement of friendly forces by friendly fire has become a significant problem during this century.

During Desert Storm, more than 75 percent of the friendly fire casualties occurred in ground-to-ground engagements. Also, fratricide accounted for 77 percent of the M1 Abrams tanks and M2/3 Bradley fighting vehicles damaged in battle.

On Wednesday of last week, Fort Dix was the site for a look into the new technology being tested to help in the elimination of losses by friendly fire.

Members of the Fort Monmouth Intelligence and Information Directorate and Raytheon Corporation, Marlborough, Mass., a world leader in developing defense technology, converged onto range 86 to test a new system device that would help in identifying military vehicles in the field.
(More: Military.com)
2003 © U.S. Army.

Dan