The Driver's Thermal Viewer: A DESERT STORM AAR

The Driver's Thermal Viewer: by Captain David L Gallop On II January 1991. representatives of the Hughes Corporation delivered nine Driver's 'Thermal Viewers (DTVs) to A Troop, 2d Squadron, 4th U. S. Cavalry. The following is a review of the DTV's perfonnance during Operation DESERT STORM. The mission of AIl-4 Cay was to lead the 24th Infantry Division (Mech) lhrough some of the worst terrain in Iraq. The mission called for Iightning-paced, nearly uninterrupted movement thai would ultimately reach the Euphrates River Valley. Key to this movement was the troop's ability to move quickly and provide valuable intelligence on terrain and enemy. A unique tool in A Troop's arsenal was the

DTV.

Background. The DTV is very similar to the thennal mode for the gunner's Integraled Sight Unit 05U). The OTV displays images based on contrasting temperatures. It has two polarities, while hot and black hot. The sight mounts in the same manner as the VVS2 passive sight. The OTV receives its power from the vehicle via a power cable. Assigning DTVs to CFVs. As lhe A Troop commander. my first decision was what vehicles should receive the OTVs. I envisioned lhe OTV as primarily a command and control aid. Specifically, wilh its enhanced capabilities, the driver could relieve lhe Bradley commander (BC) of some of the burden of navigating lhe vehicle. This would free the Be to concentrate on controlling the platoon. Wilh thai in mind, I distributed the nine OTVs to the troop commander, platoon leader. and platoon sergeant CFVs. [ still had two OTVs remaining. 1ltey went to lhe Combat Recon- 16 naissance Patrol (CRP). a scout section that operated well forward (up to 5 km) of lhe troop to provide early warning. The OTVs would enhance lheir survivability by aiding in target acquisition. InstaJJation. The manufacturer's technical representative instructed the CFV drivers on installation and operation of the DTV in about 15 minutes. The DTV installs much the same as the VVS2. with some minor but significant differences in hardware. 1be VVS2 installation latches often fail. causing the sight to fall rudely into the driver'slap. The OTV, on the other hand, The Drivet's Thermal VIewer(OTV) enables drivers 10 see IhIough Garkness and baltlefiBld smoIIe and l'Ia.le. Ad!itionaIy, it pnMdes a surveilaoce capability during sient walch and has sufficient raoge for close-up target acquisition. has screw-in bolts that seat the OTV securely in place. The VVS2 is a1so subject to rotating in its mount. This happens through vehicle vibration or from the driver inadvertently hitting the sight with his head. The OTV mounting hardware eliminates that problem. Unlike the VVS2. the OTV does require a cool-down period of five minutes prior to operation. The OTV proved to be more user-friendly than the VVS2, The controls of the VVS2 are on the same side as the driver's intercom switch. resulting in some awkward moments. The OTV controls are on the opposite side of the intercom. 1be image on the OTV display also causes less eye strain. The VVS2 user will often suffer from headaches due to eye strain, but OTV-equipped drivers never did. If a driver needs to use the dome light in the driver's compartment while using the VVS2, the internal light will cancel out the image on the VVS2 display, a very unsafe situation if the vehicle is in motion. TIle OTV display remains consistent while the dome light is on. The DTV proved to be very versatile while traveling cross country. As mentioned earlier, the OTV does nO{ move left to right, but it is capable of moving up and down. This allows the CFV driver to look down the front slope while approaching a downgrade. He can also elevate the sight 30 degrees above the horizon to check uphill slopes.

The OTV also has a grid etched on;IS display that drivers can "se to maintain required diSlance from lead vehicles. They would do this by ad-jusling the elevation on the OTV to place the lead vehicle's thermal image in a grid and keeping it there by adjusting the CFV's speed. A DTV-equipped driver can also follow the "hot" tracks of lead vehicles. However. if a DTV-equipped CFV should be following too closely to an MI. the OTV can suffer thermal washout. Limited Visibility Conditions. The VVS2, as a passive night vision sys-tern, intensifies ambient light. The VVS2 is very susceptible to moon and 00 cloud conditIOns. The DTV does not rely on ambient light. You can also use the DTV during daylight. The DTV was very useful during sandstorms. Drivers were capable of seeing through the blowing sand. Like the VVS2, the DTV's image will fade if rain builds-up on the receiver. Frequently, drivers would have to wipe the receiver dry. Route Selection. The DTV is capable of detecting moist soil. This was particularly helpful as the troop approached the Euphrates River Valley and the area known as the "dismal bog." A DTV -equipped driver was able to avoid sink holes that nonnally could not be seen at night. In the vicinity of Tallil Airfield, the DTV provided the driver with the ability to detect unexplooed ordnance (cluster bomb units or CBUs) on the surface or slightly below the surface. Since the CBU would retain heat while the surrounding soil cooled, the CBU emitted a distinct thennal signature. This was an unexpected asset. Although the CBUs caused little damage to tracked vehicles. they posed a definite hazard to the dismounted scout and wheeled support vehicles. Under Fire. During night engagements with Iraqi forces, the DTV proved its real worth. In essence. the

DTV vs. VVS2

Mounting Hardware + 0 Driver Fatigue + 0 Power Soorce o + Operability + 0 Illumination + 0 Image Detail 0 + Weapons' Effects + 0 Reliability 0 + Cost 0 + DTV-equipped driver became the gunner's assistant for target acquisition. Not only could the driver detect targets within 50 meters of the front slope of the CFV (his normal area of responsibility), he could detect possible targets out to 5 km depending on lerrain. If the troop was moving in a wedge fonnation (its standard formalion in a movement to contact), each CFV had a sector of fire. For most CFVs that sector was not over the front slope. The DTV allowed the driver to cover that critical frontaJ area at both near and far ranges. The VVS2 is subject to washout due to weapons effects. The DTV did not have that problem. On the other hand, the DTV would wash out if you passed too closely 10 a burning vehicle. Reliability. The DTV proved very reliable. During the first 48 hours of the ground campaign, the DTVs operated continuously. From the day we received the nine DTVs on II lanuary 1991 until the lfOOp'S redeployment in April, all but one DTV remained mission-capable. Summary. The table summarizes my opinion of the DTV's effectiveness compared 10 the VVS2. As we

Screw-in system on OTV more reliable. OTV display easier on driver's eyes. OlY's power cord easily broken with no battery back-up. CTV Is capable of 24-hour operations. An aid In other limited visibility situations (blowing sand, smoke, etc.) DTV does not rely on starlight. Under certain light conditions, the WS2 provides a more detailed image. No washout firing tne 25mm (TOW untested) Not enough data to favor the OTV over the proven VVS2 system. You could outfit an entire platoon with VVS2s lor the oost 01 one OTV. The cost of the OTV would drop il put in mass production. consider M2JM3 upgrades. or if we should ever receive the dedicated scout vehicle we so desperately need, we must include the DTV. Captain David L. Gallop was commissioned in Armor as a Distinguished Military Graduate from Florida Institute of Technology ROTC in 1984. He has served as a divisional cavalry troop commander (Draper Award winner), batlal· ion adjutant, brigade LNO, and tank platoon leader. He has also served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas. He is currently assigned to the Army Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. He is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Advance Courses, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and the Command and General Staff Officer Course. 17