HYPERSONIC DEFENCE Chapter 6 Simulating & Training
Hypersonic Defence series.
(Access to other chapters at the end of this article)
In this final chapter, we look at the means to develop our forces personnel skills to counter the hypersonic threat.
Hypersonic threats, by their nature, happen quickly and un-predictably. They combine hypersonic speed (Mach 5+) with the ability to manoeuvre, rather than following predictable ballistic trajectories like traditional ballistic missiles. This means that to counter this threat, forces not only have to have the technology to deal with it, but the personnel with command and control skills to quickly recognise, interpret, react and adapt accordingly.
Underpinning the Thales capabilities in the field of countering Hypersonic, is the training to support skills development in their use. The foundation of this is the use of highly realistic synthetic environments that can be used, not only for personnel training, but also for testing the equipment capabilities and concept of operations.
Synthetic Environments have been used for many years to deliver operational training; but with the onset of the hypersonic threat, the key requirement is to accurately model the hypersonic threat characteristics of synthetic entities representing such things as Hypersonic Cruise Missiles, Boost-glide vehicles and Hybrids missiles..
The Thales Synthetic Environment uses variable parameters in terms of altitude, speed, range, mass, inertia, and sensor cross-section & detection criteria along with diversity of trajectories & effects (360°) to create highly representative threats.
Once the threats accurately modelled, scenarios are created to train and ultimately test forces personnel. Traditionally, the scenarios were built using a rule-based approach using the experience of the instructor or subject matter expert, but as the hypersonic threat is in its infancy Thales will increasingly use machine learning and artificial intelligence to develop realistic scenarios and performances yet to be experienced in modern combat.
It is highly unlikely that real-world training will be possible for countering the hypersonic threat given the high cost (both monetarily and environmentally) of deploying real munitions, and the security risk of adversaries observing (and ultimately obfuscating) the approach to counter. Therefore, a highly accurate and realistic synthetic training system will be used by Thales to deliver time is of the essence training for :
• Detecting, identifying, tracking and engaging to enhance specific skills needed to counter hypersonic threats, such as:
o Recognising a threat at the earliest possible intercept range – a larger intercept range allows protecting a larger area;
o Assessing the velocity of the threat – the faster these are, the earlier we need to launch our interceptor to achieve the required intercept range;
o Reducing the decision making time – the more time that is needed to take such a decision, the longer the initial detection range need to be to achieve the required intercept range.
• Launch point estimates, interceptio nand impact-point prediction, such as:
o Recognising difficulties because of the threat’s unpredictable flight trajectory.
o Operating Defensive weapon systems and associated sensors providing 360-degree coverage.
o Exploiting information from Persistent surveillance capability in order not to lose track once the threat starts to manoeuvre.
o Working collaboratively in Multi-national and multi-domain counter-measures because of the vast distances covered.
o Learning intercept techniques that will counter the hypersonic threat for the largest possible areas.
The Hypersonic Threat Defence solutions of today, tomorrow and, beyond comprise several Building Blocks to cover each stage of the defensive chain, from Early Warning to Interception and Damage Assessment. As a global industry leader of combat-proven, multi-domain, air and missile defence systems, Thales is uniquely positioned to provide the training needed to defeat this threat, including training and competency assessment of the operation of:
• Space, Stratospheric and Surface Based Early Warning systems.
• Surveillance Systems with Multi-sensor tracker adaptation to high speed and manoeuvrable targets,
• Missile engagement Systems and fire control with collaborative engagement functions,
• System orchestration with Dynamic Sensors Networking and multi-domain C2
• Low latency high throughput communication network systems
In turn, the training will lead to a competency build up for the armed forces personnel to be able to take real world decisive action to engage the hypersonic threat in the most appropriate manner including whether to intercept in the Glide, Cruise or Terminal phases.
By undertaking the training in a multi-domain synthetic environment, the skills of each individual can be developed to ensure real-world collaborative engagement. Moreover, the increasing use of Human Behaviour Monitoring equipment such as eye tracking and cognitive load enhanced with AI assessment algorithms allows Thales to give instructors significant data to assess, correct and highly tune the individual’s performance necessary for the highly dynamic hypersonic threat environment.
By adopting a 'train as you fight' approach not only can Thales deliver high capable Hypersonic Defence equipment, it can also support the growth the personnel skills needed to maximise the expected benefits.