MI Ground-Based Systems:

TROJAN SPIRIT II and IEWCS

by Lieutenant Colonel Gary W. Parker and Sergeant First Class Dan O. Stephens II

The Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) System Manager (TSM) Ground is the Army Proponent for the Intelligence Electronic Warfare Common Sensor (IEWCS) and the TROJAN Special Purpose Integrated Remote Intelligence Terminal (SPIRIT) II. This article provides an overview of these systems and their current status.

TROJAN SPIRIT II Update

The TROJAN SPIRIT II, or TS II, is the linchpin system for providing information connectivity to the military intelligence (MI) battlefield operating system. The following information is a general update on what the system does, its physical configuration, basis of issue, and current program status. By understanding this system, the MI professional can add another piece of technology to the tool kit that provides the required timely intelligence to the tactical commander in the field.
The TS II uses secure commercial and military satellite communications (SATCOMs) to provide national- to tactical-level connectivity in support of the warfighter's intelligence needs. The system supports force projection by enabling split-based operations between intelligence operating bases in sanctuary and forward deployed units, and helps achieve information dominance by providing the means for rapid, secure, and seamless sharing of critical information in voice, data, or video formats across all echelons.
A TS II system consists of two heavy high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs) with shelters, and a 2.4-meter diameter SATCOM antenna mounted on a tactical trailer. Only one HMMWV (with the SATCOM antenna trailer) is required to operate the system; the other HMMWV is a spare equipment and maintenance vehicle. TS IIs assigned to echelons-above-corps MI units have an additional 6.1-meter SATCOM antenna. A TS II is capable of aggregate data rates of 1.544 megabytes per second (or T-1 ). Operating personnel for the system is nominally four 98 career management field soldiers. The basis of issue is two TS IIs per Force Package 1 (FP1) division; two per corps; one per FP2 division, ACR, and separate brigade; and four per MI force projection brigade. The TS II program is currently in the production, deployment, and operational support phase of development. TROJAN SPIRIT II fielding to date is
The Army has no plans to purchase any more TS IIs after FY97; due to efforts under way to transition MI long-haul communications requirements to the Signal Corps' Army Common-User System.
From the continental United States to Bosnia, TS IIs around the world continue to serve MI units and their supported commanders by providing secure, mobile, and robust connectivity between warfighters and the sustaining base. As fielding of the TS II continues, most MI professionals can expect in the near future to receive support either directly or indirectly from a TROJAN SPIRIT II system.

IEWCS Overview

The Intelligence Electronic Warfare Common Sensor (IEWCS) is the future division-level signals intelligence (SIGINT) electronic support and electronic attack system. The IEWCS system consists of the Ground Based Common Sensor-Heavy (GBCS-H), Ground Based Common Sensor-Light (GBCS-L) and the Advanced QUICKFIX (AQF). A fourth system called the Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System (MEWSS) is the U.S. Marine Corps' IEWCS system. For further information concerning the IEWCS systems see the article, Electronic Battle Space Domination: The IEWCS System published in the January-March 1996 issue of Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin.

IEWCS Testing

The IEWCS testing sequence is a unique one in that IEWCS is made up of three systems: GBCS-H, GBCS-L, and AQF. As such, each of the three systems requires its own Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) which essentially provides a 3-year time frame in which to complete evaluation of the IEWCS system as a whole. An IOT&E is a rigorous evaluation of the system under test. The test is designed to identify any problems, that the system architecture may have so that the fielded system is the best that it can be. IEWCS testing will occur over the next three years: