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Artillery's Fire Control System |
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 | | 2s1-GVOZDIKA battery firing |
Modernisation of artillery battalion/regiment level for Polish Army: 2S1-122mm ‘Gvozdika’, DANA-152mm, BM-21/RM70
„TOPAZ” IS AN ARTILLERY MODERNISATION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDED COST EFFECTIVE WAY OF OBTAINING A POWERFUL WEAPON SYSTEM FOR THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE 21ST CENTURY BATTLEFIELD. Automated Fire Control System TOPAZ is designed to support the artillery regiment (typically consisting of three batteries and reconnaissance platoons) in fire mission management. The system was primarily dedicated for non-autonomous gun regiments (2S1 - 122 mm, 152mm, BM-21 and non-modernized RM-70). The fire control system can be adapted to specific guns requirements and characteristics and be part of gun modernization programme. TOPAZ system can be used in various configurations, but the core communication structure may remain unchanged. System is deployed within land forces – infantry – on mortars caliber 98mm and can be applied in mortars caliber 120mm or towed artillery also for mountain infantry.  | | Target Acquisition System - MMI keypad in arabic |  | | Line of sight planing |
Unprecedented precision of power:
- Computerisation of command and communication system within entire regiment structure and compatibility with future C4I systems;
- Short fire reaction time;
Digitalisation of data/voice communication; Enhanced mobility and accuracy of fire missions; High degree of automation for entire process of fire command and control was achieved at all regiment levels including higher command level link; Fire mission execution times were shortened by the factor of 3 to 6. Ease of operation and reconfiguration for mission’s needs; Low cost system open for future upgrades; Very lightweight, small and low power equipment that can be integrated on all kinds of military vehicles and adapted for different types of radios;
System can operate as an independent one or linked to external command&control systems.  | | Route planing and automated positions reporting |  | | Commander's post |
ZZKO TOPAZ is mainly the software controlled system where automatic data exchange is implemented without operator's concern. All essential artillery procedures in the system can be carried out with the use of computers only, without any spoken order given. The main advantage of the system highly appreciated by the users is error-free data transfer certainty, transmission speed and fast command evaluation. The basic communication media are cable connection and the radio network. The optimization of data transfer speed over the radio network was the subject of the special concern for the system designers. The best possible results were achieved due to minimizing the number of intermediate data-transfer points and optimizing the number of network participants. The TOPAZ network does not impose any limitations to the number of subscribers. The network arrangement resembles that of command structure. The data distribution centres are located in the command posts. In the result, the command and the related data flow follows the division hierarchical organization.  | | Elements inside GVOZDIKA's turret |  | | Batallion's C2 post on SKOT vehicle |
ZZKO TOPAZ is the complex communication and the information technology system, integrating electronic equipment installed on-board the command vehicles. Most of integration is done by digital intercom system, making use of its data transmission capabilities. The communication facility provides extension to other command and control systems employed at superior command levels. These extended connections need to have the dedicated radio set assigned. Depending on the level of integration with external command systems the commands can be converted in automated mode or be processed by personnel on the dedicated computerized post. To meet this requirement, most command vehicles are fitted with twin computer workplaces, one of which is dedicated to control TOPAZ fire missions and the other for communication management and inter-system operation. There may be extra workplaces dedicated to control specialized equipment installed on-board the vehicle or externally. Data flow between the posts is managed by internal addressing protocol implemented in the control software. This refers to both radio and cable communication.  | | 3D visualization for battlefield awareness |
Present TOPAZ structure can be extended to adopt new regimental units into consistent information database. This can cover needs of supporting platoons - medical, logistics, repairs. Every added unit will gain simultaneous access to voice and data communication. Cenrex offer may include: Co-operation on the development of higher rank system up to brigade level; License of the system including local production of equipment; Adaptation to local communication equipment and vehicle types; Implementation of local languages and artillery routines according to requirements;
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