Use Case 2
Air assets, secure extraction after a crash
Brief: Tracking airborne assets, and speedy decision-making to mitigate unanticipated mission hurdles.
Impact: Rapid tactical decision-making and optimal resource allocation in BLOS environments that saves lives.
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This scenario gives an indication of how the NORTAC Defence® solution can be effectively used to locate, and secure a crash site, or extract downed personnel in the event of an unanticipated air asset crash.
An air asset has been tasked to deploy in support of a ground operation (or on a Search and Rescue mission in response to an emergency beacon or other source of information).
- The helicopter is carrying a NORTAC Defence® transponder that has been coded and enabled to report the helicopter’s position at regular intervals, permitting the generation of a SA picture at the local air base. It is likely that the helicopter has an external Iridium antenna to avoid interference from the rotor blades, but low angles of visibility to the transiting satellites may mean that this is unnecessary.
- In carrying out its task, an incident has occurred, and the pilot or his crew has activated the emergency button on the NORTAC Defence® transponder.
- A response from the HQ will confirm receipt of the message, with a short text message providing additional information to the pilot as necessary.
- In the event of the capture of the unit, it can quickly be disabled, and the information that can be accessed from this transceiver has been limited to reduce tactical risk.
Air Asset 1
This tasking unit has the overall SA picture from the various units that are equipped with NORTAC Defence® transponders.
- On receipt of the emergency signal from Air Asset 1, alternative means of communication will be used to establish the overall position, and a confirmatory response sent from the local TITAN BY NORTAC® unit, typically in different encryption that can be interpreted by the receiving unit. The transceiver may also be put into a different mode to prevent access to broader SA information.
- At the same time, the availability of an up-to-date SA picture permits the local commander to identify the most relevant units that can provide support to Air Asset 1. In the case of the incident being a mechanical failure, for example, a second air asset can be deployed to complete the primary mission, while a recovery asset is tasked with performing the required actions to repair or otherwise dispose of the damaged aircraft.
- If enemy action is confirmed or suspected, the response might be different, and primary radio communications are used, if available, to task fast jet or land support to provide the required direct action. The NORTAC Defence® SBD text messaging can be used as a secondary means of communication.
- The NORTAC Defence® transceivers provide updated SA to the HQ, permitting rapid response to changing circumstances.
Air Asset 2
This unit has been tasked with supporting Air Asset 1 and completing the mission, rescuing its occupants on the way.
- This asset will automatically report its position using either its primary radio communications, the NORTAC Defence® system, or both, to inform HQ of progress and permit updates in the tactical situation to be relayed for appropriate response.
