CHAPTER IVOTHER MICOM-SUPPORTED SYSTEMS DEPLOYED TO SOUTHWEST ASIA The Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal supported 24 different systems in SWA during ODS. In addition to the 12 weapon systems discussed in the preceding chapter, MICOM was responsible for such systems as the FAAR, G/VLLD, ITV, and MMS. Although these systems did not garner the kind of media attention given to Redstone Arsenal's missiles and rockets, they were essential to the overall operational effectiveness of the actual munitions. Forward Area Alerting Radar The FAAR is a short-range air defense, low altitude early warning system. Weapons that can be used with the radar include STINGER, VULCAN, and CHAPARRAL. On 11 March 1990, DA's Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (ODCSOPS) directed that FAAR systems be removed from the Army inventory and offered to foreign military sales (FMS). Forward observer teams (i.e., soldiers with binoculars) were to provide early warning for short range air defense artillery systems until fielding of the Ground Based Sensor in the 1996-97 timeframe. As directed, the CHAPARRAL/FAAR Project Office deactivated all FAAR systems with the U.S. Army, Europe (USAREUR), Eighth U.S. Army (EUSA), and U.S. Army, Pacific (USARPAC). Because of the need for a low altitude early warning sensor in SWA, ODCSOPS sent a message on 22 October 1990 suspending the deactivation of the FAAR system, since it was the only system in the Army's inventory able to meet this ODS requirement. This decision was based on the ADA Commander's desire to deploy to SWA with the FAAR systems. The ODCSOPS message also tasked the CHAPARRAL/FAAR Project Office to upgrade the FAAR to meet ODS environmental conditions. The system's main problem was the existing carrier, the M561 GAMA GOAT, which "...was totally unsupportable from a maintenance standpoint...." Prior to the FAAR deactivation order in March 1990, the CHAPARRAL/FAAR Project Office had spent over a year working on a FAAR carrier conversion program. That effort, of course, had ended with the Army's decision to remove the system from the field. The decision to deploy FAAR to SWA necessitated a restart of the carrier conversion effort. Because of money and time constraints, however, CHAPARRAL/FAAR engineers developed an initial conversion kit at less cost than that originally projected by the contractor. The carrier chosen for the experimental conversion unit was the 2 1/2-ton M35A2 truck. Subsequently, a total of 22 FAARs were modified by mounting the radar on a robust carrier (the M-932-A2 5-ton vehicle). The modification also included an upgraded diesel generator and a 9000 BTU air conditioner. During hand off of the first six modified systems to the 1st Infantry Division, 2d Battalion, 3d ADA on 6 December 1990 (2 days before being deployed to SWA), the unit commander commented, "Finally they have mounted an excellent radar on a carrier that meets transportability requirements. [A] 90 to 95 percent non-mission-capable time was...[attributed] to the old M561 GAMA Goat carrier and the 5KW generator. This system can perform its mission." Another 16 modified FAAR systems were sent to SWA on 6 February 1991. This first shipment was intended to replace 16 of the 21 basic systems deployed, with the remaining 5 modified systems to be dispatched at a later date. Because of these modifications, the FAAR mounted on a 5-ton vehicle was considered to be a highly reliable, mobile and survivable ADA asset in SWA. During ODS, the system achieved an operational readiness rate of 98 percent mission capability. Ground/Vehicular Laser Locator Designator The G/VLLD is used for designating moving or stationary targets for use with laser-homing weapons such as HELLFIRE. The G/VLLD can also provide accurate target information for use with conventional artillery. The system is issued to selected field artillery battalions, tank battalions, armored cavalry units, and selected infantry units. The G/VLLD is currently in production in support of National Guard requirements. An immediate requirement arose during ODS to expedite the application of a modification to the G/VLLD systems deploying to SWA. The Missile Command's Weapon Systems Management Directorate developed a plan for replacing the old G/VLLD eyepiece with a calibrated eyesafe Laser Designator/ Rangefinder (LD/R) to protect operators against possible retinal damage caused by enemy laser systems. In November 1990, an advance team for MICOM went to Germany to modify assets of units scheduled to deploy to SWA. The team tested, repaired, and modified 107 systems. Another 98 USAREUR Theater War Reserve (TWR) systems were also modified for swap out in SWA. The Missile Command coordinated this effort through the 200th Theater Army Materiel Management Center (TAMMC), USAREUR. A seven-member G/VLLD modification team left Redstone Arsenal Army Airfield on 10 January 1991 for Ramstein AFB, Germany, where they picked up the modified TWR assets and one more team member (the team's only civilian). Arriving in Dhahran on 11 January 1991, the team began exchanging LD/Rs on 14 January on the front lines where the Fire Support Team Vehicles (FISTVs) which carried the G/VLLDs were located. By going to the individual FISTVs, system downtime was reduced to less than 30 minutes. This effort was completed in about a month, with exchanged unmodified G/VLLDs being moved to depots in SWA where modifications could be made. In all, 187 LD/Rs and 44 modified eyepieces were swapped out. The team also left 15 additional LD/Rs at the U.S. Army Support Group as backup to the deployed units. Exchanged LD/Rs from Germany were retrograded from SWA, repaired, tested, and returned to TWR. Assets from the Continental United States (CONUS) were returned to Sacramento Army Depot for repair and return to stock. The greatest obstacle encountered in SWA by the G/VLLD modification team was its inability to pinpoint the location of the using units. Team members drove over 14,000 miles across much of Saudi Arabia in an attempt to locate units. Many times, after arriving at the coordinates provided, the MICOM representatives discovered that the unit had moved to another location. In spite of the difficulties encountered in finding using units in the almost featureless desert terrain, the team was able to complete the exchange for all units before the beginning of the ground war. Improved TOW Vehicle During the first week of January 1991, AMC tasked MICOM to manage the M901-ITV. At that time, the system's SWA mission capable status was reported at 80 percent, well below the DA goal. On 10 January 1991, WSMD assembled a team with the assigned task of identifying problems and determining solutions that would improve the ITV so that DA readiness goals could be met. The directorate's ITV Readiness Team developed an action plan to improve system readiness in three major areas: readiness intelligence, critical spares, and maintenance support. The team addressed the problems of readiness intelligence and lack of logistics information by forming a MICOM SWA Assessment Team. Once in the theater of operations, a TACOM LAR and any LARs on site with the units visited completed the team which traveled to various unit locations between 1 and 6 February 1991. The team's mission was to report on system densities, readiness, and parts requirements. The action plan also called for the formation of opera- tional readiness floats (ORFs). A total of 44 M-901 ITVs were taken from POMCUS Theater War Reserve and shipped by rail to Nahbollenbach, Germany. There ITVs underwent rail and optical protection modifications including TOW 2 system integration and night sights. Although 10 systems were made available for immediate airlift to SWA, ARCENT would not give air shipment priority. Consequently, it was planned to move all 44 ITVs by surface to Livorno, Italy, where they would be shipped to arrive in SWA by 11 March 1991. The entire shipment was completed and fully loaded at port when the decision was made not to send them because of the ODS situation. The critical spares portion of the action plan involved using the SWA team assessment and working with identified parts requirements. Of the 95 requisitions for not mission capable, supply (NMCS) and zero balance authorized stockage list (ASL) requirements, only 38 percent were recorded at the wholesale level. The directorate forced the remaining requisitions into the system and consolidated shipment to divisions at the Special Projects Office at Red River Army Depot (RRAD). After being combined, the parts were shipped to Charleston, South Carolina, for transport by Desert Express to SWA. Four incremental shipments were made to SWA before Class IX shipments were suspended on 8 March 1991. Since parts requirements and wholesale requisition receipt were major problems, WSMD took action to preposition parts in SWA by requisitioning a 570-line ASL plus-up for the 321st TAMMC in SWA. The 718-item initial list was provided by the Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity (AMSAA) on 3 February 1991. It was based on National Training Center experience, failure factors, and a computer model that tailored the requirements to a 15-day combat damage requirement. Two incremental shipments of 170 and 104 parts, respectively, were made prior to the suspension of Class IX shipments. In addition, TACOM took action to preposition eight major ITV assemblies in-country including the M-113 engine, final drive, transfer gearcase, and differential. Four items in short supply were taken from RRAD Combat Vehicle Evaluation M-901 ITVs/FISTVs that were scheduled for rebuild. These included 21 W2 turret cables, 63 hydraulic motors, 10 image transfer assembly curtains, and 21 100-amp generators. The command also had the Depot Systems Command (DESCOM) Support Group set up agreements for component repairs in SWA. The third portion of the WSMD ITV action plan involved maintenance support. In the readiness data received, the number of vehicles listed as NMC, maintenance (NMCM) were two to three times those classified as NMCS. Turret and automotive troubles as well as a lack of parts were the most commonly mentioned problems in the NMCM category. The directorate augmented ITV maintenance by establishing Army Support Group (ASG) contact teams and ASG repair of selected ITV parts. The contact team carried parts forward from ASG to units and assisted in fixing deadlined systems and ORFs, if any. Any parts requirements which the team could not fill in theater were referred to MICOM so that parts shipments could be expedited. By the start of the ground offensive in February 1991, the ITVs were able to participate at well above the DA goal. The initial assessment of the system's performance during the "100 Hour War" showed that the ITVs had at least 14 confirmed kills. Mast Mounted Sight Employed on the OH-58D KIOWA helicopter, the MMS carries "...day and night acquisition sensors and laser rangefinders. They also support a highly accurate navigation system that provides precise target location data...." Those helicopters equipped with the MMS have "...a distinctive ball on top of their rotors." Prior to the deployment of troops in support of ODS, the MICOM MLC began the A5A retrofit to improve the reliability of the system processor for the MMS. Initial retrofit efforts attempted to complete all units before they departed for SWA. However, because of the rapid call-ups and the even faster deployment, all units could not be retrofitted before shipping out. In an effort to maintain the readiness posture of the OH-58D MMS helicopter, a Special Repair Activity (SRA) was established in the United Arab Emirates. Contractor person- nel manned the SRA and made repairs to specific assemblies and line replaceable units of the MMS system. This effort continued through May 1991. Other MICOM-Supported Systems Among the other systems supported by MICOM during ODS were the Manportable Common Thermal Night Sights (MCTNSs), the Modular Universal Laser Equipment (MULE), the Laser Target Designator (LTD), and the Land Combat Support System (LCSS). Each of these systems contributed to the overall coalition effort to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. The MCTNS systems consist of electro-optical devices which use infrared light optics. They provide the soldier with the capability to see targets at night in limited visibility conditions. This equipment, valued at $47,584 per unit, has been sold to approximately 15 foreign countries. The MULE is used for designating moving or stationary targets for the use of laser-homing weapons. The system also provides accurate information for use with conventional artillery. The MULE is used exclusively by the U.S. Marine Corps. Although the MULE is out of production, the prime contractor continues to supply selected spare parts for the system. The LTD system is used for designating stationary or moving targets for laser homing weapons by special operation forces such as the Rangers or Special Forces. Like the MULE, the LTD is out of production, although selected spare parts are still procured from the prime contractor for the system. The LCSS is a test set designed to support the DRAGON, LANCE, TOW, and SHILLELAGH missile systems. Its primary purpose is for field maintenance, but it can be used in a depot setting. All of the LCSS units, which each cost $2.5 million, have been deployed. There is no longer a prime contractor for this system.
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