DOD eying automated fires command systems for Ukraine, Taiwan, Latvia

The Defense Department is looking for information from companies about their ability to provide hardware, software, training and maintenance for a fire management software system to be provided to Ukraine, Taiwan and Latvia.

Companies responding to a Nov. 18 notice would be able to provide the International Field Artillery Tactical Data System, the foreign military service version of the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System, which provides “fully automated support for planning, coordinating, controlling, and executing fires and effects such as mortars, field artillery cannons, rockets and missiles, close air support, attack aviation, and naval surface fire-support systems,” according to the Army, which operates the system along with the Navy and Marine Corps.

The Army says the system can take in situational awareness data and intelligence information to make targeting decisions and provide command, control and communications for fires capabilities.

The notice announcing the sources sought effort suggests the IFATDS systems would be used to support the High Mobility Advanced Rocket System, which has emerged as an essential part of Ukraine's success against Russian forces.

In the notice, DOD said it is seeking sources that can provide the software and computer hardware necessary to operate the system, as well as training materials and field service support. The Pentagon is interested in providing 55 IFATDS to Latvia, 18 to Ukraine and 16 to Taiwan, according to the notice. Companies would also provide a seven-week training course on how to use the system, install it and provide services on the system, per the notice.