Mission Planning Support System

In order to maximise the effective use of the capabilities of the AMAS System, ADI has developed the ADI Mission Planning Support System (MPSS). This XP windows-based integrated sweep design, effectiveness and mission planning software is provided on a laptop computer. The software is underpinned by algorithms based on NATO MCM doctrine and validated by the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO). The system enables an operator to design the appropriate sweep using magnetic and acoustic modelling tools, to meet the minesweeping mission objective and establish the effectiveness of the sweep against designated mine sensors and logic. The system is also integrated with a GIS capable of displaying Raster and S57 vector charts and has a full suite of MCM Operation planning tools.

The complete minesweeping mission plan can be overlaid on electronic charts (vector or raster) from the integral MPSS geographic information system.

The MPSS planning steps include:

• Magnetic sweep design
• Calculate sweep effectiveness as an Actuation Probability Profile (APP) for magnetic, acoustic and combined
• Calculate track plan in each segment of a Q route
• Mission assessment

The Sweep Design

	Sweep Design Screenshot

Sweep design will accept ship signature data from magnetic ranging and automatically determine the sweep configuration that best matches the ship signature. As well as providing the number of Dyads, their polarity and separation, the resultant magnetic signature profile plot is also provided. Additionally, there is the capability to manually design and manipulate sweep configurations.

Sweep Effectiveness

	Sweep Effectiveness Screenshot

This step models various mine logic and sensor interactions with the sweep magnetic and acoustic signature, providing as an output, actuation profiles for the particular sweep, ship or tow vessel against the nominated threat mine. The module also provides detonation profiles for each threat mine loaded against sweep, tow vessel and target vessel.

Track Planning

	Sweep Effectiveness Screenshot

This step provides for the development of optimal minesweeping mission profiles for the selected Dyad Influence Sweep design, based on operator input of mission parameters and constraints. It encompasses calculation of channel parameters, track planning, level of effort constraints and ship count coverage profiles, based on the output of the sweepeffectiveness module. This module interfaces with the MPSS GIS.

MPSS GIS

	Sweep Effectiveness Screenshot

Provides mission (for example Q route and segment parameters) into mission planning. Mission planning results are provided back to the MPSS GIS and the overall mission is displayed on the chart. The operator is able to download this mission data to the ADI mission control system or to the ADI remote control system for the control of minesweeping drone boats.

Mission Assessment

	Sweep Effectiveness Screenshot

The MPSS GIS accepts post mission assessment data from the ADI Sweep Track Monitor. This DGPS tracking system provides the MCM Commander with accurate sweep positional information througout the mission, allowing for easy identification of 'holidays' and assessment of clearance and ship count run off.

Contact Details

For further information relating to mine countermeasures, please contact the General Manager Mine Countermeasures,
Jack Byrnes
ADI Limited
Building 314, Level 1
Garden Island NSW 2011

Tel: +61 2 9562 2991
Fax: +61 2 9562 2988
Email: jack.byrnes@adi-limited.com