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David against Goliath
Suggestions of concept defensive system DAVID are based not only on types of weapons already in use (armament) or development but also on future systems, which are not going to be available until end of (this) century.
With collapse of USSR European defense planers were set in front of a huge task of defining new defense concepts: old defense concepts with vanishing of the threat of possible numerous Varsaw-pact division invasion became surpassed. On future defense concepts will also have impact numerous reductions of military budgets of NATO members as well as paragraphs of CFE treaty on reduction of conventional forces in Europe.
All these events affected also united Germany, which will have to bring down its armed forces on 370.000 soldiers. Even though reorganization plans of German army in frame of program Heeresstruktur 5 are already in production(preparation), there are already visible some implications of future defense systems as well requests which have to be taken in consideration by procurers and producers of future weapons systems. Future weapons systems will have to achieve favorable relations between price and effectiveness, posses operational and strategic mobility (which can be achieved only by air transport) and be manned by smaller crew number. Also, these systems will be by their definition of defensive nature. Based on these priorities, in September 1990 three German consortiums comprised of military systems producers suggested to German MoD development of system called DAVID (Dynamische, Automatisiertes Verteidigungssystem mit Interaktiver Fürhrung und DV-Unterstützung). This dynamic, automated, computerised defense system is off-shot of Sperrsystem 2000, which streted in 1987 and temporarely called Minenkampfsystem 2000. On request of German MoD, which considered simultaneous cooperation with 17 companies initially engaged in system DAVID definition, three consortiums were established:
-ARGE DAVID, comprised of Diehl, Dynamit nobel,ESG, Honewell and Rohde Schwartz; without earmarked consortium leader,
-DA SA (Deutcshe Aeropsace)team, lead by company MBB, with Dornier and TST (former AEG) taking part,
-third consortium lead by Rheinmetall company, and participants Krupp Atlas Elektronik, SEL, Contraves (Stockach) and Texas Instruments (Freising).
At this moment DAVID is described as competition of ideas and concepts for research of possibilities of usage ineteligent mines on battlefields in next century. After competition of preliminary phase, two of three consortiums would continue with concept definition in frame of extended preliminary phase, where certain components of new system would be selected for future development.
Main tactical goal of future DAVID system is obtaining capability (reject-defense) mechanized assault using battle systems comprised of intelligent mines with as little as possible risking lives of own soldiers. Along with traditional role of blocking certain area, role of such mine system will be changed from providing combat support into active combatant. Final goal would be defense of Brigade emplacement area with battalion level forces equipped with DAVID system. Together with small number of soldiers key feature would air-lift capability. Main technical project challenge comes from C3 system and surveillance development, while weaponry and sensor systems development would not represent major issue. In DAVID assembly Command Battle Center would be connected with local surveillance points, from where mine would be remotely activated or deactivated. System would be comprised of modular components capable of rapid air deployment in areas where enemy attack is expected. suggestions of system DAVID concept are based not only on already existing weapons in use bat also on future system, which are not going to be available until end of century. For now, in DAVID following weapon system should be included: conventional mine type AT-2 equipped with remote controlled fuzes; mines like PARM-2 equipped with automated sensors and remote control; "dynamic mines"; mines for blocking wider areas (like multinational project Area Defense Weapon) equipped with multimode sensors, adjusted for top or side attack on armored vehicles; partially independent or remote controlled battle robots equipped with AT rockets/missiles or mines; mine launch systems; AT missiles guided through optic fibers; anti-helicopter and antipersonnel mines with different fuzes.
DAVID will be used for prevention of break-through of enemy forces, for surveillance and protection prearranged defense areas, for set-up of antitank obstacle IOT protect own forces.
Inspite many advantages which will come out of its entirely defensive role, DAVID system even in its most perfected configuration will not be completely free of certain problems (limitations). First, regardless how intelligent mines will be, there will be never 100% deactivated of all set mines in battle conditions. Big technological challenge is provision of reliable and safe communication link between mines in the minefield, mines and sensors and mines/minefields and operators in the Command Center. Existing mines will have to be equipped with appropriate interfaces, at least for one-way communication if two-way communication is to expensive. In its final form DAVID will be comprise as combination of weapons, sensors and computer assisted C2 system, which will alove one operator to substitute 50-60 soldiers.
In field of robotics German Mod is financing research in Dornier and ESG focused on determination of basic functions of combat robots, including autonomous movements and orientation, target acquisition, communication, bypassing obstacles etc. Terrain vehicle Mercedes G-wagen is used as platform for checking of different sensors, needed for performing whole array of expected tasks. When feasibility of basic functions will be proven, this vehicle will be equipped for tasks like reconnaissance or detection and removal of enemy minefields. But, use of combat robots within DAVID system can not be expected in near future, unless American technology development in this field is used, most likely as joint cooperative program with American companies.
(courtesy of Hrvatski vojnik, author Ivan Horvat)
