FIRRE joint battlespace command and control system for manned and unmanned assets (JBC2S)

Abstract

The Family of Integrated Rapid Response Equipment (FIRRE) is an advanced technology demonstration program intended to develop a family of affordable, scalable, modular, and logistically supportable unmanned systems to meet urgent operational force-protection needs and requirements worldwide. The near-term goal is to provide the best available unmanned ground systems to the warfighter in Iraq and Afghanistan. The overarching long-term goal is to develop a fully-integrated, layered force-protection system of systems for our forward deployed forces that is networked with the future force C4ISR systems architecture. The intent of the FIRRE program is to reduce manpower requirements, enhance force-protection capabilities, and reduce casualties through the use of unmanned systems. FIRRE is sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics (OUSD AT&L), and is managed by the Product Manager, Force Protection Systems (PM-FPS), Fort Belvior, VA. The command-and-control element of FIRRE is the Joint Battlespace Command and Control System (JBC2S) for manned and unmanned assets, which is based upon the Mobile Detection Assessment Response System (MDARS) Multiple Resource Host Architecture (MRHA), modified to operate as a single application program using standard DoD mapping and data distribution services. JBC2S is an evolution of the MRHA that leverages over 10 years of development in unmanned systems command-and-control. It implements the functionality of the MRHA under the dynamically configurable and highly modular architecture of the Multi-Robot Operator Control Unit (MOCU). JBC2S is a network-centric, geospatial command and control system that allows the field commander and above to plan and execute missions utilizing multiple and disparate manned and unmanned assets. It utilizes standard map formats (GeoTIFF, DNC, CADRG) for displaying map data and for tracking asset placement and movement.