Role of JSTARS in Combat Identification

Fratricide remains one of the most challenging problems of the modern battlespace. Fratricide incidents have occurred in every major conflict in history and continue to increase. The fratricide fatality rate was significantly high during Desert Storm in 1991, the most recent major conflict involving offensive joint air and ground forces. Despite specific attention to this problem during a short war in which joint forces had an overwhelming combat advantage, the fratricide rate was an alarming 24%. Consequently, fratricide has remained a priority issue for the military throughout this decade. This monograph suggests that current efforts to minimize fratricide have focused too exclusively on technological solutions. There is a severe lack of integration and synchronization efforts within this technology explosion, particularly for the surface-to-surface and air-to-surface mission areas. Since there are diverse technologies within the independent services that must operate jointly in the battlespace, a systemic approach is critical. After an examination of the joint air identification system, the monograph concludes that it is successful because it is an integrated network of air and ground elements that each contribute to a synergistic product, a single integrated air picture. AWACS, as a centralized battle management radar platform, performs a unique role in this network. This monograph demonstrates that JSTARS is capable of performing a similar role for the surface environment. JSTARS has the capability to develop and disseminate common pictures, at both tactical and operational levels. JSTARS can figure prominently in support of attack operations. JSTARS is a critical fusion platform that begins the melding process of the separate surface and air pictures into a common joint awareness. This study concludes that a systemic approach must be utilized to reduce fratricide within the surface-to-surface and air-to-surface mission areas. Current technologies must be inte