Installing FBCB2 with a Thales MA7036 Vehicle Adapter Amplifi er in an M1151

Installing FBCB2 with a Thales MA7036 Vehicle Adapter Amplifier in an M1151 by Specialist Christopher Ramos with technical assistance from Staff Sergeant Gregorio Quintanar The current operating environment has provided commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) capabilities to be injected into the military supply system faster than ever before. Oftentimes to meet the need of a particular shortcoming, a COTS system is procured without identifying all of the second- and third-order effects. Many of the new M1114 and M1151 high-mobility, multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs) are being fielded with new COTS communications systems. The capability these new systems provide is tremendous. We were fortunate enough to receive a large fleet of HMMWVs with the Thales MA7036 radio system installed; however, the Thales is not designed to support Force XXI battle command, brigade and below (FBCB2) systems. This presented a challenge on how to maintain our command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capability with FBCB2, and our communications section was tasked to find a solution. Ultimately, we figured out how to add an FBCB2 system to a Thales MA7036-equipped HMMWV that was not designed to have an FBCB2 system. In doing so, we enhanced our unit’s situational awareness, thereby increasing its combat effectiveness. For similarly equipped units, this article can be used as a “how-to” manual to install an FBCB2 system on a Thales MA7036-equipped HMMWV. Tips for Getting Started The M1151 HMMWV has a Thales MA7036 multiband inter/intra team radio (MBITR) vehicle mount up front where the usual advanced system improvement (ASIP) radio vehicular amplifier adapter (VAA) mount is located. Our commander wanted to keep the MBITR mount in the vehicle, so we had to brainstorm on how to install the FBCB2. This particular HMMWV had no mounts of any kind for any of the FBCB2 hardware, nor any of the necessary cables. In short, we installed an FBCB2, with no instructions, in a vehicle that was not intended to have such a system installed. The main problems we encountered were where to put the mounts for the hardware, running the cables, and installing a VAA so we could use the Internet controller (INC) portion of the VAA, which is necessary for the enhanced positioning locating reporting system (EPLRS) to talk to the central processing unit (CPU). Hardware Installation The following is a list of all vital mounts and associated hardware required, and the specific locations for each. Individual preferences and missions requirements may dictate the location of any of these components. This is what worked best for our own needs and is meant as reference only. Hardware and mounts  VAA and mounting base.  AN/UYK-128 (CPU) and CPU mount.  EPLRS and EPLRS mount.  AN/UYK-128 (display) and display mount.  PSN-11 (PLGR) and PLGR mount.  PSN-11 antenna.  EPLRS antenna and antenna mount. VAA and CPU Installation The sole purpose of the VAA is to provide the INC for FBCB2; an ASIP radio is not required for the FBCB2 to properly function. However, an ASIP radio can be used to default your INC when reconfiguring the role, and then it can be removed. The best location for the CPU and VAA is in the back, on the driver side quarter-panel inside the M1151 right above the wheel well (see Figure 1). Most of the quarter-panels have installed brackets with predrilled holes for bolts. The CPU mount should be installed on the quarter-panel closest to the back of the HMMWV with the opening of the CPU facing to the front of the HMMWV; install your VAA mount directly in front of this. Make certain there is enough space to open the CPU and access the hard drive, as the CPU will be mounted right next to the VAA. We found two ways to install the mount for the VAA. The first is with the VAA facing the CPU, where, in all instances, if installed in the VAA, the ASIP radios would be facing toward the CPU. The second option is to have the VAA facing out where the radios would be facing toward the passenger side tire-well. Either way works, but make certain there is enough room to access the CPU’s hard drive and insert an ASIP radio into the VAA to default the INC, if necessary. Mount positions for the EPLRS and antenna, AN/UYR-128 display, and PSN-11 position, lightweight, GPS receiver (PLGR) and antenna are shown in Figures 2 through 5 at right. Cables To properly install the FBCB2, you will need:  AN/UYK-128 CPU power cable (w1); NSN: 5995-01-478-4901.  EPLRS power cable; NSN: 5995-01-198-0538.  PLGR power cable; NSN: 6150-01-375-8661.  Serial interface adapter device (SIAD) cable;

NSN: 4920-01-478-3722.

 INC to SIAD cable (w3n); NSN: 5995-01-478-4913.  Army data distribution system interface (ADDSI) cable (w6); NSN: 5995-01-453-3935.  PLGR data cable (w3p); NSN: 5995-01-478-4891.  PLGR antenna cable; NSN: 6150-01-375-8662.  EPLRS antenna cable; NSN: 5905-01-182-7428.  Display cable (w2); NSN: 5995-01-478-4876. 52 —