Ground-Based Common Sensor (GBCS Heavy and Light)

Ground-Based Common Sensor (GBCS Heavy and Light) GBCS is the Army's only on-the-ground, all-weather, all-terrain, self-contained, fully integrated, 24-hour signal intelligence and electronic warfare asset. The Electronic Attack (EA) module includes smart jamming capabilities. The GBCS preprocesses signal data at the sensor and provides target detection, identification, and location reports in near real time. The GBCS is organic to MI units at division, separate Bde’s and ACR’s. System collection and precision location results provide input for tasking and mission direction for other divisional IEW assets. The GBCS-H/L are an element of the IEW Common Sensor (IEWCS) system. GBCS-H/L provides a “smart jamming” capability against communications emitters.

AN/MLQ-38 Ground-Based Common Sensor Heavy

GBCS-H provides commanders of Armored and Mechanized Infantry Divisions with an organic capability to listen to, locate for hard-kill targeting or order-of-battle resolution, or render ineffective through jamming opposition command and control and fire control nets and identify and locate counter/mortar, counter/battery and ground surveillance radar emissions. The system is specifically designed to ensure transportability, prime mover maintainability, and over terrain mobility equal to or greater than supported units. GBCS-H has the capability to conduct operations on-the-move, exploiting or eliminating - at the supported Commander's discretion - the latest, most modern types of hostile modulations and transmission techniques at the key time and place on the battlefield by conducting surgical electronic attack against designated targets. GBCS-H is the Army's only on-the-move, on-the-ground, all weather, all terrain, self-contained, fully integrated, 24-hour-a-day signals intelligence and electronic warfare asset.

The GBCS-H is one of the ground components of the Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Common Sensor (IEWCS) system. The GBCS-H is a variant of the Army’s only ground based, all-weather, all-terrain, self-contained, fully integrated, 24-hour division level asset. It uses the same subsystems as the Ground Based Common Sensor-Light ( GBCS-L), the Advanced Quickfix ( AQF) and the USMC Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System ( MEWSS). In heavy divisions and ACRs, the GBCS-H will use the Electronic Fighting Vehicle (XM5) as its platform. The GBCS-H provides its information to the ACE in near-real-time. System information provides input for the tasking and mission direction of other divisional IEW assets.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

Sep 91 GBCS-H integration contract awarded.

Nov 92 Conducted Critical Design Review (CDR).

Sep 95 Participated in AQF Customer Test.

Jun 96 R&D models fielded to Task Force XXI.

REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT: IEW GBCS ROC, Oct 90.

TYPE CLASSIFICATION: Standard, Sep 98.

AN/MLQ-39 Ground-Based Common Sensor Light

The AN/MLQ-39 Ground-Based Common Sensor Light [GBCS-L] provides Commanders of Light, Airborne, and Air Assault Divisions with an organic capability to listen to, locate for hard-kill targeting or order-of-battle resolution, or render ineffective through jamming opposition command and control and fire control nets and identify and locate counter/mortar, counter/battery and ground surveillance radar emissions. The system is specifically designed to ensure transportability, prime mover maintainability, and over terrain mobility equal to or greater than supported units, while at the same time exploiting or eliminating - at the supported Commander's discretion - the latest, most modern types of hostile modulations and transmission techniques at the key time and place on the battlefield, by conducting surgical electronic attack against designated targets. The GBCS-L is one of the ground components of the Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Common Sensor (IEWCS) system. The GBCS-L is a variant of the Army’s only ground based, all-weather, all-terrain, self-contained, fully integrated, 24-hour division level asset. It uses the same subsystems as the Advanced Quickfix ( AQF), the Ground Based Common Sensor-Heavy ( GBCS-H) and the USMC Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System ( MEWSS). Light divisions will have GBCS-L which is mounted on two M1097 Heavy HMMWVs, one HMMWV as the ES vehicle and one as the EA vehicle. The GBCS-L provides its information to the ACE in near-real-time. System information provides input for the tasking and mission direction of other divisional IEW assets. GBCS-L is transportable up to 40,000 feet above sea level and by rail, highway, and water means with system degradation. It must have roll-on, roll-off capability for C-130, and must be transportable by sling-loading by CH-47 or large helicopters.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:

Sep 91 GBCS-L integration contract awarded.

Nov 92 Conducted Critical Design Review (CDR).

Jul 94 Customer Test.

Sep 95 Participated in AQF Customer Test.

Jun 96 R&D models fielded to Task Force XXI.

REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT: IEW GBCS ROC, Oct 90.

TYPE CLASSIFICATION: GBCS-L Operational Needs Statement System LPU approved Oct 90. GBCS-L Standard, Sep 96.

Sources and Methods

• GROUND BASED COMMON SENSOR-LIGHT Basis of Issue Plan
• GROUND BASED COMMON SENSOR-LIGHT ELECTRONICS SUPPORT MEASURES Basis of Issue Plan
• GROUND BASED COMMON SENSOR-HEAVY (GBCS-H) Basis of Issue Plan

• Ground-Based Common Sensor (GBCS Heavy and Light)
• INTELLIGENCE ELECTRONIC WARFARE COMMON SENSOR
• PM, SW AN/MLQ-38, GROUND BASED COMMON SENSOR HEAVY (GBCS-H) Fiscal Year 1997 Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence and Electronic Warfare and Sensors (C4IEW&S) Project Book U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) - April 1997
• PM, SW AN/MLQ-39, GROUND BASED COMMON SENSOR LIGHT (GBCS-L) Fiscal Year 1997 Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence and Electronic Warfare and Sensors (C4IEW&S) Project Book U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) - April 1997

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