SubscribeTOPAZ is the automated Field Artillery Command and Fire Control System. TOPAZ covers all general and artillery-specific commands and tasks characteristic of battalion command level.
Every command post is equipped with a computer terminal and dedicated software providing efficient carrying out of commands in a fully computer-assisted mode, without a need to give any spoken order.
The system is fully modular, thus easily adaptable to diverse artillery systems. Provided that relevant ballistic calculation formulas are available for the given barrel/charge/projectile combination - in form of look-up tables or MPMT computation factors - the system can be used from virtually any tracked, wheeled and towed gun or even mortars.
Besides TOPAZ, which is currently deployed with 122mm tracked and 152 wheeled guns, there are some derived versions. AZALIA is the system for 155mm tracked autonomous guns (KRAB 155 mm self-propelled tracked howitzer), RODON system is customised for mortars.
The system is a combination of communication equipment, rugged computer hardware and the advanced software. The relevant set is allocated for every gun every command vehicle. Multiple post can be installed on given vehicle in any reasonable arrangement. The modular configuration and uniform hardware used thorough the system provides its high maintainability.
Due to the approach taken, the system can be installed in new-built guns and command vehicles, as well as can be used in modernisation programs.
TOPAZ Fire Control System Capabilities
Basic TOPAZ system tasks are as follow:
- On-line presentation of the battlefield situatb
- ion layered on the digital map. Presentation includes own forces and enemy positions, target sizes and locations, safety regions, fire ranges depending on the available charges/projectiles etc.
- Forward observer tasks - target spotting and impact observations; interface to automated observation instruments available,
- Constant evaluation of the target database mode according to the target type,
- Fire mission planning in computer assisted mode:
- Selection of the fire mission execution mode according to the target type,
- Safety check against no-fire areas, crests,
- Distribution of the impacts over the target relevant to the target size and amount of guns used for the mission,
- Ballistic calculations both for the gun laying purpose and for the fire mission evaluation.
- Fire mission control:
- Continuous corrections to ballistic solution according to forward observers measurements of impact coordinates,
- Emergency halt,
- Timing and synchronisation of shooting guns,
- Multiple round single impact (MRSI) capability.
- Simultaneous control of several fire missions, shared between batteries/fire platoons/autonomous guns,
- Fire support coordination measures,
- Inventory management and on-line information regarding the battalion ammunition and logistics status, amount of available resources, communication status etc.,
- Maneuvers and redeployment,
- Distribution of preformatted tactical data including free text, orders, reports, returns and states relevant to Field Artillery routines.
Field Artillery Command Posts
TOPAZ is a C4I system applicable for Land Forces Field Artillery, featuring command posts ranging in level from battalion commander through platoon/battery down to forward observers and gun commander.
The command posts can be functionally reassigned between physical locations (i.e. any command post can be moved to another vehicle after malfunction or destruction of the vehicle) to enable retaining command capabilities. The computerized command posts can be operated remotely from the carrier vehicles. An ordinary field cable connection (2 wires) enables the computers to be brought away up to 1500 m from vehicles and be operated without any limitations.
Every tactically functional element of the battalion (e.g. a battery) can operate with the system in separation of the superior level. Due to this feature, the TOPAZ system can also be phased into service step-by-step so as to gradually embrace by automation still higher levels.
Communication - Backbone of Fire Control System
The information exchange within the system is based on seamless synchronisation of the dispersed database. This approach does not involve user interaction with data transmission. The accidental loss of communication does not unhinge the system which can merge with such temporarily unlinked elements. Moreover, the system can seamlessly adjoin new sub-units while operational.
The communication in the system is based on various media. The awareness of limited communication capabilities of the contemporary digital radios was the guideline for system designers. To establish the effective communication the capabilities of FONET vehicular communication system are extensively employed. Due to FONET, for every direction of voice and data information exchange the following media can be used:
- Two-wire cable, up to 1500 meters long, providing voice and data transmission simultaneously,
- Digital radio, providing both voice and data transmission with voice override feature (the unique technique of sharing single radio for voice and data is implemented). Any of vast range radios approved to be used with FONET in the digital mode can be applied.
- Analogue radios with external FSK modem,
- Ethernet,
- Field telephone network,
- Public telephone lines.
Special attention is given to data security and data delivery robustness, to avoid errors and mismatches and resulting in fatalities in artillery operation. Design error rate of used protocol is better than 10-6 (one in a million). All mentioned measures result in exceptional stability and dependability of proposed FCCS architecture.
TOPAZ Control System Benefits
- Enhanced accuracy of fire missions with limited influence of human errors,
- Short fire reaction time,
- The system integrates all regiment levels and can be operated on-the-move,
- The voice communication capability was provided in parallel to digital data exchange,
- Low cost system open for future upgrades,
- Very lightweight, small and low power equipment that can be integrated on all kinds of military vehicles and adapted for different types of radios,
- System can operate in different configurations as an independent one or linked to external command systems.
