BCIS Initial Draft MFP
20 June 98

2.1 FUNCTIONAL AND PHYSICAL CONFIGURATIONS.

2.1.1 BCIS Functional Characteristics. BCIS provides a combat identification capability to reduce the risk of fratricide. BCIS is a millimeter wave (38GHz), secure question and answer, point of engagement system that positively identifies friendly targets. BCIS provides a > 95% probability of correct friendly identification within one second at the gunner's site with no impact on firing function. BCIS works effectively on a dirty battlefield at an operational range of 150 to 5500 meters. Interrogator azimuth coverage is ± 1.3 ° or ± 22.5 mils. Transponder azimuth coverage is 360 ° at an elevation of -10 ° to + 45 °. BCIS is used by combat, combat support and combat service support vehicles operating forward of the Brigade Support Area (BSA) to positively identify, or be identified, by other BCIS equipped friendly ground vehicles and minimize the risk of fratricide during the conduct of land battle.

2.1.2 BCIS Physical Configuration. A BCIS can be either of two end items, an Interrogator-Transponder Set (AN/VSX-4) or a Transponder Set (AN/VSC-9). The Interrogator-Transponder Set is installed on "shooter" vehicles with deadly firepower or with the capability to call-in indirect fire. Typical AN/VSX-4 equipped vehicles are the M1 Abrams and M2/M3 Bradley families and the FISTV. The Transponder Set is installed on "non-shooter" vehicles such as the HMMWV,
M113 and FOX. Four modular components [Line Replaceable Units (LRUs)] comprise the Interrogator-Transponder Set. They are a Receiver-Transmitter, RT-1789/U; Communications Equipment Interface Unit, J-6437(C)/U; Antenna Assembly, AS-4503/U; and Antenna, AS-4504/V. The first three components above comprise the Transponder Set.

BCIS Components (Figure 2-1)

The picture at the right depicts the components of the two BCIS configurations. The commonality of the three major LRUs permits interchangeability and reduces support cost.
Clockwise identification begins with the Antenna Assembly. It is attached to the ballistic armored housing (part of the Installation Set for each vehicle application) and protects the Receiver-Transmitter depicted next. The interrogator Antenna is the added component for the AN/VSX-4 configuration. The other three items are universally part of both the AN/VSC-9 and AN/VSX-4. Last is the CEIU. This LRU is located in the interior of the vehicle.

Each vehicle unique Installation Set contains all cables and mounting hardware. The BCIS Configuration List below identifies the BCIS configuration applicable for each specific vehicle type.

2.1.3 Component Functionality. The CEIU front panel consists of BCIS control switches; a crypto fill port, alarm and key rollover capability, as well as system fault and query indicators. The CEIU provides interface connections, operating power connections and a Communications Security (COMSEC) keep-alive battery compartment. The CEIU processes interrogation data and interprets reply data. This is a Controlled Cryptographic Item (CCI) and requires serial number tracking on property book records. The Receiver-Transmitter (RT) receives and transmits interrogations. The omnidirectional Antenna Assembly receives interrogation signals and transmits friendly responses. The highly directional array Antenna directs a narrow beam mmW signal to the target vehicle and receives the target vehicle's friendly response.

2.1.4 System Operation. BCIS TI operation requires power from the host vehicle; Global Positioning System (GPS) Time-of-Day (TOD) provided by a Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR) and COMSEC key loading via AN/CYZ-10. The gunner initiates BCIS target interrogation when he engages the applicable Laser Range Finder (LRF) switch or BCIS Interrogator Switch. The BCIS is not dependent on the LRF to operate, but will operate with the LRF when used. The highly directional array Antenna emits a narrow beam mmW signal to the vehicle targeted in the gunner's sight. The targeted vehicle receives the signal via its omnidirectional Antenna Assembly and RT. The targeted vehicle's CEIU decrypts the interrogation, encrypts a reply and the RT transmits a signal via the omnidirectional Antenna Assembly. The reply is received through the array Antenna and a friend/unknown indication is provided. The gunner/commander hears the friendly status via the vehicle's intercom and sees the friendly visual indication in the gunner's/commander's sight. When a BCIS equipped vehicle is targeted, AN/VSC-9 or AN/VSX-4 equipped, its BCIS automatically responds to the query without operator intervention.

2.2 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

2.2.1 Operational Equipment. The equipment required by the operator/crew to perform Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS) and/or to operate BCIS is listed below. The KOI-18/TSEC is required at the Battalion signal Office (BSO) for paper tape key loading into the Data Transfer Device. The Key Tapes are required in storage at both the Brigade and Battalion Signal Offices. The BCIS operator requires the AN/CYZ-10(C) to load COMSEC/TRANSEC codes and the AN/PSN-11 to load TOD into BCIS during initialization. The Boresight Kits are required to check the BCIS interrogator Antenna alignment with the sight/gun during PMCS on the "shooter" vehicles. BCIS requires the Boresight Kit for Abrams to be added on that vehicle.

2.2.2 Transport Equipment. Not Applicable. No additional transport equipment is required for BCIS. BCIS is transported by the vehicle on which it is installed without altering the transportability of its host.

2.3 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT (ORD). BCIS is used at the tactical level of war. It contributes to the Command and Control (C2) and Mobility and Survivability Battlefield Operating Systems (BOS). The BCIS is used to minimize the risk of fratricide during the conduct of Airland Battle/Airland Operations (ALO) in units performing missions across the operational continuum. BCIS is integrated on Combat, Combat Support, and Combat Service Support vehicles and its fielding is prioritized based on the most likely killers and victims of fratricide, normally the vehicles that operate forward of the field trains in the Maneuver Battalion Task Force area. The threat encountered will depend on the mission scenario. The threat may consist of small arms, automatic weapons, tanks, anti-tank guided missiles, long-range artillery, radioelectronic combat systems, attack helicopters and high-performance aircraft. A global threat assessment suggests that a Low Intensity Conflict, encompassing operations short of war, will be the most likely form of conflict in key regions such as the Middle East, Latin America, Asia and Africa. Economic uncertainty and political instability throughout the world still represents a potential threat environment for mid- or high-intensity conflict. BCIS is capable of operating continuously 24 hours per day in directed energy, electronic battlefield, electronic countermeasure and NBC contamination whether the climate is hot, basic or cold. M1 Abrams 48-hour mission scenario profile is the most stringent and is used as the BCIS mission profile. Annual usage for the Interrogator-Transponder Set (AN/VSX-4) and the Tranponder Set (AN/VSC-9) is 1020 hours.

2.4 DEPLOYMENT SCHEDULES. A BCIS Distribution Plan (early draft) is provided at Appendix 9.3. The dates represented in that schedule are the dates BCIS installation and integrated system checkout will begin. Projected installation time per vehicle and the quantity of vehicles that can be installed simultaneously will be more clearly defined and provided in the final draft MFP. Current BCIS acquisition funding is adequate to field FORSCOM's 4th Infantry Division (-) and 1st Cavalry Division (-). The distribution schedule and vehicle types/quantities are limited to information available at this time and the current funding limitations. The distribution quantities and vehicle types are based on the Basis of Issue Plans (BOIPs) approved by DA on 5 May 1994 - amended and DA approved 13 April 1998. The basis of issue for the Interrogator-Transponder Set (AN/VSX-4 - BOIP No. F077AA) is one per direct fire armored vehicle operating forward of battalion field trains. The basis of issue for the Transponder Set (AN/VSC-9 - BOIP No. F077AB) is one per ground combat support vehicle operating forward of the field trains in the maneuver Battalion Task Force Area.