TLCA Case Studies

Battlefield Combat Target Identification (BTID)
In September 2005, QinetiQ supported flight trials of a ground-to-ground BTID system fitted to a Harrier aircraft.

The solution
Using QinetiQ’s PANTHER process, a Concept of Evaluation (CoE) was devised that clearly laid out the recording requirements of the trial and identified the test points necessary for the collection of data. Relevant stakeholders were consulted throughout and a risk assessment was also conducted. GPS truth devices were fitted to the ground vehicle and the Harrier aircraft. Recorders were also fitted to the BTID device on the vehicle and a complex measuring system was devised to provide accurate azimuth and elevation to measure the interrogator look angle from the Harrier pod. Cockpit video provided a pilot’s eye view, voice channel, and detailed head-up display. All devices were synchronised with UTC time.

Analysis approach
All data was fed into QinetiQ’s Geographic Track Information System (GTIS) reconstruction tool which produced a visualisation showing the Harrier flying through the operating area, over an OS map draped over 3D terrain. The beam searching for the target was also displayed and is clearly seen in the screen picture below at the moment of gaining a response from the BTID device. The cockpit video was synchronised with, and played alongside the visualisation

Benefits
PANTHER’s approach ensured that sufficient data was recovered to conduct a complete analysis. By involving the relevant stakeholders throughout, everyone was clear as to what was required and when. The visualisation made an instant impact and a clear picture of the event and the measurements and objective analysis were of sufficient granularity to support business case decisions.