AC4IS

System Support for decision making, command issuing, communication, intelligence reports and fire control in modern digital integrated battlefields

AC4IS supports entire artillery corps with the information and communication infrastructure, thus improving its efficiency through all levels of command in combat tasks. This support includes:

• Decision making,
• Command issuing,
• Communication,
• Artillery fire control.

AC4IS is not intended as a standalone system, it also provides interoperability services so it can be fully integrated with all friendly forces CIS/C4ISR (Command Information System/Command, Control, Communication, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) inside the battlefield.

Decision making

Decision making at higher levels of command is supported through situation awareness. High level of situation awareness is provided with the use of digital display of tactical situation. By providing the current, correct and relevant information in a clear, graphic way, battlefield situation picture gives unique advantage to the commander in the decision making process. Battlefield situation picture is generated using the information received from all available information sources on the battlefield (observers, UAVs, radar posts, other friendly forces). Battlefield situation picture displays friendly and enemy forces, along with other landmarks, borders, areas and such.

Command issuing

Along with standard military command issuing, the AC4IS system provides commander with a digital command issuing through graphical and/or textual commands. Command issuing is supported differently at different levels of command (Corps level → Regiment level → Battery level).

Communication

Communication is a crucial aspect of the AC4IS system. Standard military communication equipment (radio, landlines) is integrated into a fully digital packet switched network capable of transmitting error free, encrypted data and voice over wide area on the battlefield. Communication equipment consists of standard military communication equipment (radio, landlines) coupled with Intelligent Communication Processors (ICP) at each station and Tactical Switches. One important feature is that the links between network nodes can be either radio or landline!

Deployment is simple – just connect each node to the switch using either landline or radio – no extra network configuration is needed.

Network protocols are based on broadly accepted and reliable internet protocols, thus enabling connections with other networks through network bridges.

Important aspect of the AC4IS is the Artillery Fire Control subsystem. It provides the user with a powerful tool for planning and controlling artillery fire on an unlimited number of targets with many types of weapons (Tube Artillery, Rocket Artillery and Mortars). Its core ballistic module already supports most weapons of both Western and Eastern origin. Also, it is possible to easily add support for additional weapons. Artillery Fire Control subsystem contains modules for meteorology, fire and ammo distribution, firing elements calculation and safety.