ATLAS LT for Forward Air Controllers
(FAC)
The ATLAS LT FAC configuration is designed
to enable the Forward Air Controller to detect targets
and to provide target location data to aircraft, so that
the attacking aircraft will deliver munitions exactly on
target – either in close air support (CAS) of friendly
forces or in any other air attack mode.
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The data is formatted in order
to allow the attacking aircraft to use it in any required
attack mode:
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Visual target acquisition
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and attack |
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Target coordinates fed into |
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stand-off weapon |
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navigation system |
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Computer-controlled bomb |
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release |
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Rapid target acquisition by |
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attack helicopters in pop- |
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up mode |
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In addition to its primary function of providing target data
for air-delivered weapons, the FAC can carry out secondary
missions when required:
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Collection of target intelligence |
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Artillery fire direction |
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Surveillance |
In a typical daytime FAC mission configuration, the Atlas LT for FAC will carry a laser rangefinder (LRF) and high-powered binoculars. The binoculars would be replaced by a thermal imager (TI) as light fades – a 60 second procedure. For laser designation missions, a laser designator replaces the LRF/binoculars combination. In all cases, the system is operated from a robust military tripod and is carried in a custom backpack to the observation position.
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