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PRECISION GUIDED WEAPONS AND SIDE-EFFECT RISK
LTC Dipl. Eng. Ivo PIKNER
Abstract:This paper deals with possibilities of side-damage
elimination during military
operations. It provides fundamental information on
characteristics and potentialities of introduced precision guided
weapons.
¬¬¬
GeneralA serious problem faced at attacking legal military
targets during the armed con-
icts is injured or killed civilians or other non-combatants and
undesired side harm of the civilian installations. Employment of
high precision weapons in current conicts shows, along with new
courses of action, also new options and ways to reduce the risk of
non-military target damage.
Side damage risk eliminationRisk of non-combatant health or
lives harm side effect and undesired side damage
of civilian installations is imminent at any military operation
impossible to totally avoid. However there are many ways of how to
reduce it substantially.
The land or air attacks potential target selection and
assessment process should comprise their combat or military
evaluation for attaining the operation objectives, together with
denition of the way for attaining the desired military effect. The
objective should be reached with as low threat to the
non-combatants as possible and minimum undesired side damage of
protected installations such as residential building, schools,
hospitals, religious facilities, cultural heritage and diplomatic
buildings. Research done at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology has showed the U.S. citizens intolerant to the own and
allied battle injuries and increased in the intolerance to enemy
injuries, mostly of civilian population. It should be noticed,
though if the enemy deploys the legal military targets – e.g. HQ,
AD systems or armoured vehicles in or among protected
installations, these loose the protected status as stipulated by
international law. Even
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now measures should be taken to direct the attack, if
applicable, at the military target to minimize side-effect
damage.
Similar attitude should apply to double use facilities – both
military and civilian, such as communication equipment representing
legal targets in accordance with martial law. Every time the
advantage of their destruction should be sensitively compared to
potential non-combatant life injuries. Similarly complex issue is
use of “human shields”, volunteer or not, to protect key facility
object.
There are several feasible options of civilian population threat
or undesired facil-ity damage elimination. First, the above mention
target selection process – needs highly performed intelligence and
reconnaissance and profound analysis, as well, of broad mili-tary,
political, humanitarian, economic and other relations, such as
Centres of Gravity (COG) for an air operation. Second, the way of
attacking the selected target. If it is a legal military target as
of international martial law but surrounded by civil installations
or facilities a suitable weapon system to strike is selected. Its
killing effect should be such to destroy or annihilate the target
(according to dened criteria) but causing no risk to civil
population or protected installations, as shown in gures 1 and
2.
Naturally, high precision weapon systems are considered, assets
of destruction either guided along the whole ight trajectory or in
the ight end phase. Those are land, air or naval assets guided by
internal or external system to the target killed with high hit
probability and high efciency. While “Desert Storm” operation in
Iraq in 1991 pre-sented the guided assets in approximately 20 % of
the total used air missiles and ammu-nition, today estimates “Iraq
Freedom” operation of this year range between 60 % and 70 %
reaching 90 % in areas of highly undesired side-damage risk. Weapon
calibre is an important parameter. A thousand kilogram bomb
destruction effect obviously differs from the effect of a
60-kilogram warhead guided missile. That is a reason of why
mini-aturized air bombs are being developed.
The undesired side-damage may be reduced by selection of
suitable direction/angle of attack, i.e. bomb landing to orientate
the splinter effect off the protected instal-lations. Appropriate
fuse timer setting so that ammunition explodes after having
pen-etrated into the structure or ground may play similar role.
Also attack timing – night hours, for example – helps to eliminate
non-combatant injury risk.
A military target is surrounded by installations protected as of
international law. Employment of a too effective weapon or
inappropriate course of attack causes high side damage risk of
hitting the protected installations.
It is of course impossible to reach hundred per cent certainty
of side damage avoidance ever. A human or technical factors should
always be considered either in the phase of preparation or
execution of the operation. Experience of high precision weapon
employment, particularly PGM (Precision Guided Munition), shows 8
to 10 per cent failure rate of precise target hit.
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Another option for considerable reduction of undesired side
damage is employ-ment of non-lethal weapon systems that use other
principles of enemy system annihi-lation than explosive or
incendiary charges. Submunition BLU-114/B with conductive carbon
bres is a typical example. It was successfully used in Serbia
during the Kosovo crisis for power network shut down through
short-circuiting of the transformer sites and power lines.
Figure 1: Convention ammunition damage side effect
The use of “electromagnetic bombs” generating a very high power
electromag-netic pulse capable to seriously damage electric and/or
electronic equipment such as computers and radio/radar receivers
and put thus the enemy command, control and infor-mation systems
out of operation has been currently discussed.
Precision guided weapons of small calibre, suitable attack
direction and narrower splinter effect may eliminate side
damage.
High risk for both the civilian population and friendly forces
is represented by attacks at combat chemical agent storage sites,
as leakage of the agents into environment is imminent. Therefore
special warhead and bomb charges has been developed capable of
crushing the agent containers and release chemical or ozone
neutralizers at the same time or make a sustained heat effect to
dispose the agents, as appropriate.
Obytná část
Nemocnice Mešita - Kostel
Vojenský objekt
Maximální oblastničivého účinku
Residential area
Destruction effect maximum range
Military installation
Hospital Mosque / Church
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Figure 2: Side damage elimination
High precision weapons: Leading representativesThe last
mentioned operation in Iraq strictly afrmed superiority of the high
preci-
sion weapon systems to the today commonly used conventional
ammunition that must be used in big amounts to kill the target
reliably so that a considerable area in the target neighbourhood is
hit. The high precision weapons were mostly represented by guided
ammunition able to hit the target at rst attempt with high
probability. The guided ammunition reduced number of sorties as
well as of total red ammunition in air and land strikes, and also
negative injuries of non-combatants (in the operation “Enduring
Freedom” in Afghanistan in 2001—2002 the guided ammunition
represented almost 90 % of used ammunition).
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) that really proved in
Afghanistan and Iraq (in some events even 80 pieces a day were
used) distinguishes by its extraordinary resistance to harsh
weather effects and by high precision rate.
Laser guided munition is more precise when compared to JDAM,
however sensi-tive to weather effects and needs marking with a
laser emitter – either airborne or sur-face. The laser sensor is
unable to overcome obstacles in the form of cloud layers, smoke or
dust.
The following paragraphs illustrate the leading examples of
precise guided air-to-surface and surface-to-surface weapon systems
designed to destroy surface hardened and armoured targets
established in modern forces.
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Obytná část
Nemocnice Mešita - Kostel
Vojenský objekt
Maximální oblastničivého účinku
Vhodný směrútoku
Residential area
Destruction effect maximum range
Military installation
Hospital Mosque / Church
Suitable attack direction
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AGM-86C CALCM (Conventional Air-launched Cruise Missile) is a
subsonic strategic, air launched winged cruise missile powered by a
small turbofan jet engine. It is equipped with a combined
inertial/GPS navigation system that provides for under 5 metres
circular error probable at target. The missile total length is 6.3
m, range around 1,100 km and the warhead differs by version to
carry either high-explosive charge of 1,360 kg or blast
fragmentation charge for hardened targets.
BGM-109 Tomahawk – a subsonic US submarine or ship-launched
land-attack cruise missile. The navigation system is combined
inertial TERCOM/GPS and terminal guidance in the target area is
provided by the optical Digital Scene Matching Area Cor-relation
(DSMAC) system. The warhead is either conventional unitary or
submunition. An improved navigation system variant of Tactical
Tomahawk is under development. Missile length with booster is 6.25
m, total weight 1,587 kg and range around 1,600 km.
AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air to Surface Stand-off Missile) is the
latest cruise missile of stealthy features. It is designed to
destroy the enemy’s high-value targets from aircraft that launch
from outside the area defence. The combined Global Positioning
System (GPS) – aided inertial navigation system (INS) is completed
with an imaging infrared seeker in the terminal phase for very
precise guidance. The missile has a tilted arrow wing and
penetrating high-yield explosive warhead of 450 kg weight.
AGM-154 JSOW (Joint Standoff Weapon) is a glide weapon with the
range under 65 km (depends on launch altitude). The 225 kg calibre
warhead is either com-bined-effect or penetrating submunition or
unitary penetrating. The JSOW uses com-bined INS/GPS navigation
system completed with imaging infrared and datalink for terminal
homing in AGM-154C version.
GBU-29, GBU-30, GBU-31, GBU-32 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack
Munition) is currently the Air Force most used guided munitions. It
is a kit of aero surfaces and the INS/GPS navigation module and
control surfaces installed to a classic bomb body. Weight (226 kg,
454 kg or 907 kg) and warhead type (high-explosive or penetrating)
dene designation. Range is under 24 km and hit accuracy under 13 m
the advanced ver-sions with DAMASK sensor feature even only 3 m
circular error probable.
Paveway II and Paveway III designations cover over 10 types of
laser-guided munitions consisted of either a general purpose or
penetrator bomb (weight 225 to 2,000 kg), folding stabilizers block
and a laser guiding module with control surfaces. Paveway III
version has got an improved navigation system that makes it
launchable at low or surface altitudes.
AGM-130 is in fact the GBU-15 glide bomb with 907 kg calibre
warhead com-pleted with a rocket engine. Range is under 65 km.
There are more versions. The naviga-tion system is of INS/GPS type,
a television or an imaging infrared seeker for precise terminal
guidance.
SLAM and SLAM-ER (Standoff Land Attack Missile – Expanded
Response) are precise guided missiles developed of AGM-84 Harpoon
antiship missile. They are armed
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at the Navy aircraft. The navigation INS/GPS system is completed
with the Imaging Infrared seeker in SLAM-ER version. SLAM-ER has
been improved and incorporates a pair of deployable wings which
increase the range of the missile to 280 km powered by a jet
engine, and a booster for ship or submarine launch.
AGM-65 Maverick is a tactical, air-to-surface guided missile of
136 kilogram penetrator or 57 kilogram high-explosive warhead. The
missile is made in several ver-sions differentiated in navigation
system, which may be optoelectronic, infrared or laser one. The
missile length is 2.49 m, weight from 208 to 302 kg and range
beyond 27 km.
Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) is a precise guided
air-to-ground weapon. The US Air Force used it rst on 11 March
2003. MOAB is the hugest conventional bomb in the world today. Out
of the total weight of 9,750 kg the explosive takes 8,100 kg. The
weapon is of glide type with precise guidance based probably on
GPS. The MOAB killing effect – similar to BLU-82/B (Big Blue, Daisy
Cutter) that will expect-edly be replaced with – relies largely on
heat effect and blast that hits extremely large area.
Artillery weapon systems when guided ammunition is used might
classify to high precision weapons. The artillery ammunition
characteristic feature is precise guidance to target that gave the
ammunition the general designation of precise (terminal) guidance
ammunition.
M712 Copperhead is a conventional cannon-launched guided
projectile equipped with laser guidance system. It needs target
designation with laser. It is one of the rst representatives of the
weapon category developed and introduced in the US Army (since
1980). The Copperhead round is designed for 155 mm calibre barrel
artillery. It was rst employed during Operation Desert Storm in
Iraq to destroy observation posts and for-ward AD radar
installations. Its priority employment is destruction of enemy’s
armoured vehicles. It is 1,368 mm long, weighing 60 kg out of which
the composition B charge weighs 16.5 kg. The effective range is
under 17 km at target-hit probability 0.7—0.8.
Excalibur artillery ammunition has been developed by Raytheon
Company on the ground of contract with the US Army. Excalibur is
the rst GPS-guided artillery ammunition. Excalibur has been
designed for 155 mm calibre with accurate rst round re-for-effect
capability under the range of 45 km.
Krasnopol is artillery ammunition of Russian provenience of rst
round re-for-effect capability (no precision re). The munitions is
designed to defeat armoured vehicles; multiple rocket launchers;
self-propelled artillery systems; command, control, communications,
computers, and intelligence centres; defensive fortications;
bridges; and water crossings within the range limits 3 to 25 km. It
is capable of employment on still or moving targets under the
velocity of 36 kph placed on plain terrain, in trenches or
shelters. Krasnopol ammunition is produced in 152 and 155 mm
calibres. The 152 mm calibre forms a part of supply stocks of
ammunition on wheels for the self-propelled cannon howitzers
(M-1973 ACACIA) or towed cannon howitzers, such as D-20.
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M-39 ATACMS (The Army Tactical Missile System) is a long-range
guided missile red from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)
M270 launcher and deployed within the ammunition loads of the US
corps MLRS battalions. It provides re capability for high payoff
targets beyond the range of currently elded cannons and rockets.
The development tests nished in 1990 and the same year it was
delivered to the US Army units. The rst engagement was during
Operation Desert Storm in Iraq in 1991. The ATACMS primary targets
were the SCUD surface-to-surface missile sites, AA missile
launchers, rear bases, bridges and even tube and rocket artillery
posts. The mis-sile ranks to the high precision weapons thanks
primarily to its submunition with termi-nal guidance. The missile
is designed for two basic variants of warhead known as Block I and
Block II that dispense Anti-Personnel or Anti-Armour submunition or
controlled-initiation bomblets.
ConclusionThe high precision weapon systems has been elded by
the powerful and modern
militaries as well as others as a key element of improved weapon
systems re efciency in the 21st century operations. The military
experts foresee the high precision weapons to become the main
striking assets, especially the airborne carrier systems whose
fea-tures distinguish with high dynamism and mobility. The recent
conicts – in Afghanistan (2001—2002), Iraq (1991, 2003), former
Yugoslavia (1995—2001) and Chechnya ghts (1995—2002) experience has
showed the importance of the high precision weapons for the combat
action result. Therefore the armed forces should be both armed with
those assets and, at the same time, trained in effective courses of
actions when enemy uses them.
Another considerations should be paid to the economic aspects of
high precision weapons elding, particularly from the cost point of
view. Though, it means to answer the question whether engagement of
“classical” weapon systems to attain the desired effect is or is
not more costly in the last instance than engagement of the high
precision weapons. Of course, elded high precision weapons have
implied an answer to the unde-sired side effects elimination, an
issue that has come forth and become a criterion of major weight
for weapon engagement assessment.
References[1] www.fas.org[2] A-report; years 2002, 2003[3]
Sizov, Skokov “High Precision Weapons Importance in Today Warfare”.
Voyennaya mysl 1993, No.12[4] Hallion, Richard P. “Precision guided
munition and new era of warfare”. Air Power Studies Centre,
PAPER NUMBER 53[5] Hanousek, M. “Vysoce přesné zbraně
zahraničních armád”. VA Brno, 1993[6] Kraváček, O., Novák, J.
“Některé poznatky a závěry z války v Perském zálivu”. Study report.
VU 010
Vyškov 1992[7] Krolikowski, M.,Marcinkowski, C. Afganistan 2002,
Dom wydawniczy Bellona.
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AbstractGeneralSide damage risk eliminationHigh precision
weapons: Leading representativesConclusionReferences