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IMEA/UTAS
Problem Statement and Objectives
The U.S. Defense
Department required a quick, automated means of predicting the
damage that precision-guided weapons could inflict against various
types of ground-fixed targets. Drawing on more than 20 years of
experience in weapons design, testing, and analysis, ARA developed
the Integrated Munitions Effects Assessment (IMEA) software system
tool to fill these critical gaps in the weaponeering and targeting
cycle process.
IMEA is used along with tools created in the Defense Threat
Reduction Agency (DTRA)/Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA)
Underground Targeting and Analysis System (UTAS) program, to fuse
intelligence data and characterize targets. The characterization
results in a 3D model that can contain modest or sophisticated
detail including Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) and mission
support equipment, including WMD agents and production materials.
IMEA also assists
warfighters in weaponeering fixed targets. Targets can be modeled as
soft, hardened, above- or below-ground facilities, including tunnels.
Building and bunker targets can be specified to contain agents used in
Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). IMEA integrates with the Hazard
Prediction Assessment Capability (HPAC) and calculates damage to the
target and its contents. Using IMEA expulsion estimates, weather, and
terrain data, HPAC predicts hazard propagation and collateral effects.
IMEA enables
warfighters to model and analyze attack scenarios in minutes-to-hours
instead of days-to-weeks using fast-running, physics-based algorithms.
The algorithms predict weapon penetration, cratering, fragmentation,
blast damage, and the subsequent collateral effects. IMEA determines
the probability of achieving a level of damage by including
intelligence uncertainties in the target model and variability in
weapon delivery. Collateral effects are presented graphically,
indicating area and number of personnel affected. IMEA also aids
post-attack damage and re-strike assessment.
The weapons effects
algorithms calculate weapon performance and effects on targets.
Warfighters can use specialized tools within IMEA to determine optimum
solutions rapidly for weapon placement and fuzing. Analysts can use
IMEA to run probabilistic studies, leveraging the distributed
calculation engine, to examine a range of possible outcomes. Key IMEA
features include:
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Rapid target characterization
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Rich, high fidelity environment definition
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Fast-running weapons effects calculations
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Accurate and accredited results
Results and Benefits
IMEA is currently used by more
units than ever in its history. It is used throughout the Warfighter,
Intelligence and Analyst communities to provide a planning and
assessment tool. IMEA has played a significant role in real world uses
such as in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Many important battle damage
assessments that drove restrike decisions were made using IMEA. This
substantially increased effectiveness while reducing risk to our
warfighters. In a statement issued by General Wesley K. Clark, U.S.
Army, Commander-in-Chief, US European Command before the Senate Armed
Service Committee, he stated “…In one instance, collateral damage
assessments through IMEA and DTRA analysis helped us avoid the
potential deaths of 2500+ Serbian civilians." |
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IMEA
uses physics-based
engineering models to predict weapon penetration, cratering,
fragmentation, blast damage, and the subsequent collateral effects for
buildings, bunkers, and tunnel targets. Structural and functional
damage are presented graphically to the user. Additionally, collateral
effects are presented indicating area and number of personnel affected
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