Tactical Electronic Reconnaissance Processing and Evaluation System [TERPES] AN/TSQ-90D(V)
The Tactical Electronic Reconnaissance Processing and Evaluation System [TERPES] AN/TSQ-90D(V)
is a key
segment of the Marine Air-Ground Intelligence System (MAGIS) with
the capability to process digital Electronic Warfare Support
Measures (ESM) data collected and Electronic Countermeasures data
recorded by the EA-6B aircraft.
TERPES provides intelligence processing, mission planning and post mission analysis in support of Marine EA-6B and the Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ). TERPES supports Department of Defense (DoD) goals of Command, Control, Communication, Intelligence (C3I). This task is accomplished by analyzing Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Electronic Warfare (EW) data collected by the Marine Corps' EA-6B Improved Capability (ICAP)-II aircraft. TERPES has the capability to process EA-6B information recorded in flight during operational missions. This data contains emitter position, identification and parametric information. A tactical intelligence database is maintained and ELINT analysis support is provided to the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) and the Command Element of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) to determine the nature of the enemy threat and plan combined arms operations. Collected intelligence data and multi-source information serves as the primary source of ELINT and EW data for intelligence fusion, command and control, and Department of Defense tactical mission planning systems.
TERPES develops, maintains and distributes a tactical Electronic Order of Battle
(EOB). As a SIGINT resource TERPES provides information to the
MAGTAF, and is required by EA-6B aircraft to complete the Marine Tactical
Electronic Warfare Squadron (VMAQ) mission to provide electronic Warfare
(EW) analysis and reporting in support of the Fleet Marine Force (FMF). Data
link or secure voice interfaces with AN/MSC-63A Tactical Communications
Central (TCC), Tactical Aircraft Mission Planning, System (TAMPS), TEAMS
system, Intelligence Analysis System (IAS), Tactical Air Command Center
(TACC), Tactical Air Operations Center (TAOC), Tactical Information
Broadcast Service (TIBS), Tactical and Related Applications (TRAP), Tactical
Data Information Exchange Service (TADIXS-B), the TADIL A (Link 11) and
TADIL B (Link 11B) networks, and the EA-6B to allow rapid dissemination of
information to requesting units.
The processed ESM data results in
Electronic Intelligence that is used by the Marine Air-Ground Task
Force to determine the extent of the enemy threat and to plan
combined arms operations. Man-Machine Interface is accomplished
using independent rack-mounted color monitors and multi-function
keyboards for each processing station. Integral and multi-media
storage devices are available at each work- station/file server.
Outputs are in electronic message formats, hard copy, or electronic
media.
The TERPES ultimately provides electronic reconnaissance
reports to tactical commanders and the Intelligence Analysis System
(IAS) within the MAGIS via tactical data links and other forms of
digital communications. The AN/TSQ-90D(V) is a two
shelter system and is an upgrade to the AN/TSQ-90C(V)1, TAM A2537,
a three shelter system resulting from Preplanned Product
Improvements.
TERPES is employed and supported by the Marine Corps Air Station and
VMAQ squadrons. The first two AN/TSQ-90D(V) TERPES (Phase III) systems were fielded during the first quarter of FY93 with the remaining two systems fielded during the second quarter of FY93.
The first two fielded systems were delivered to the TERPES WSSA at the Naval Air Warfare Center,
Weapons Division (NAWC-WPNS), Point Mugu, California, for Systems Integration Testing, Fleet Evaluation Testing (FET), and initial operator and maintenance training
prior to being shipped to the using unit. Subsequent deliveries
were to the using units.
Three systems are currently assigned to the Marine Corps
Air Station, Cherry Point to support the four Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare
Squadrons (VMAQ) and as a secondary mission is to provide Electronic
Intelligence (ELINT) support to the Marine Air Ground Task Force
(MAGTAF). TERPES is theater independent and designed to operate in
peace-time, contingency, crisis and low and high-intensity wartime environments.
TERPES Upgrade
The TERPES Upgrade program entails the downsizing of the existing TERPES
Phase III by maximizing the use of Government Furnished Equipment;
government and commercial Non-Developmental Item software to accomplish
its missions by processing, evaluating, and analyzing collected signals intelligence
(SIGINT) and EW information from EA-6B missions; correlating the collected
information with other sources of ELINT, Electronic Warfare Support (ES),
Electronic Attack (EA), and Order of Battle (OOB) information to provide
support to the MAGTF during operations afloat and at FOB; providing enemy
EOB, Command, Control and Warfare (C2W) capabilities, ELINT information
and reports to the MAGTF; providing C2W mission planning support
information to assist Marine tactical aviation elements; and providing C2W
information, and Indications and Warnings (I&W) to the MAGTF.
The
TERPES Upgrade is contained in transit cases which can be housed in one 8 x
8x 20 shelter. The initial phase of this downsizing is the TERPES Portable Unit
(TPU). TERPES Upgrade is being developed under the concept of an open
system architecture to provide the flexibility necessary to accommodate future
requirements for expansion. The open system architecture uses GOTS/COTS
and Non-Developmental Item (NDI) software/hardware. The TERPES
Upgrade integrates the TAMPS Core Operating Environment. The TAMPS
Core provides a set of software modules which support the common
requirements for Mission Planning Modules (MPMs).
TERPES Upgrade shall
use the following TAMPS Core modules: Workstation Executive; Database
Access and maintenance, Mapping and Overlay System, Mission Planning,
Communication Services, and Utilities.
ELINT processing provides
near-real-time analysis of technical data, correlation of position reports, and
specific unit identification and location used for TERPES database update and
report preparation. It also provides for operator-directed, automated processing
using multiple sources including EA-6B tapes, EA-6B data link, and externally
provided report messages.
The TERPES Upgrade Process and Analysis
functions shall be integrated with the TAMPS Core and include the data derived
from the CTT as part of the correlation and fusion function. · EOB management
consists of the generation, entry, storage, retrieval, and manipulation of data
provided by various sources. The TERPES Upgrade is capable of creating,
accessing, maintaining, and updating the TERPES database within an application
program environment. It includes the creation of initial databases, provides
update and access control, and serves as the application program interface.
Intelligence support may be provided to the squadron, ACE, MAGTF and
external activities based on requests received.
The intelligence analysis function
provides the capability for TERPES analysis of ELINT data combined with
additional IDB intelligence data to respond to requests for information, prepare
database updates, analyze the threat and tactical situation, and to predict
potential changes in the tactical situation. It includes a fully relational Structured
Query Language (SQL) server capable of rapidly retrieving and graphically
displaying threat and tactical information.
Mission planning support consists of a
mission preparation package resulting from the POL tape modifications. The
mission planning support function provides the capability to support EA-6B data
link operation and a limited capability to edit TEAMS-produced OPL tapes to
reflect recent changes contained in the TERPES DB.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
1967 - Fielded as AN/TSQ-90
1973 - AN/TSQ-90 designated as the interim TERPES
1978 - First AN/TSQ-90, TERPES delivered.
1993 - FOC AN/TSQ-90D(V) 1994 - TERPES Upgrade Program Defined
Related Programs
Operating Units
Facilities
- MCAS Cherry Point NC
- MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
Sources and Methods
http://www.fas.org/irp/program/process/terpes.htm
Created by John Pike
Maintained by Steven Aftergood
Updated Monday, July 28, 1997 3:28:08 PM
