Vice Adm. Robert L. Thomas Jr., commander U.S. Seventh Fleet, kicked
off the multi-ship experiment in Guam.
"Pandarra Fog is example of the quick-turn integrated technical
and tactical development the Fleet is doing to master electromagnetic
maneuver warfare and assure access of joint forces," said Thomas.
“Pandarra Fog showed the value of quickly bringing together
scientific and joint forces to tackle our hardest warfighting problems.
This isn’t just smoke or chaff, this is high tech obscurant,
which can be effective against an array of missile homing systems,”
said Antonio Siordia, U.S. Seventh Fleet’s science adviser.
To explain in simple terms, a shipboard device generated carbon-fiber
particles suspended in a cloud of smoke, which can absorb or diffuse
radar waves emanating from the seekers of incoming missiles and potentially
obscure the target from the missile.
The experiment demonstrated maritime obscurant generation can be
a key enabler of offensive maneuver of the fleet despite the global
proliferation of anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles.
"We are developing a layered approach using a full spectrum
of active and passive capabilities to give us the advantage. It is
not just about the technology, but also practicing how the fleet will
employ these emerging capabilities," said Capt. David Adams,
who leads the Seventh Fleet Warfighting Initiatives Group.
“A defense in depth approach has a lot of advantages. Not only
do we know the smoke is effective, it adds a level of uncertainty
and unpredictability to the equation,” said Adams.
In addition to having a significant level of effectiveness, the systems
are relatively inexpensive when compared to other countermeasures
and can be tactically employed through typical fleet maneuvers. The
materials are environmentally friendly and sized to maximize operational
effectiveness.
“Our initial assessment is the testing was very successful
in terms of tactical employment, usability and cost-effectiveness,"
said Adams.
