User:Kfriedemann/ATTAC - Asymmetric Threat and Tactical Analysis Casebook

ATTAC

ATTAC, Asymmetric Threat and Tactical Analysis Casebook, is a data collection and storyboarding software. It is used as a field tool to gather data, create diagrams and add digital evidence in a way that increases efficiency in work flow and links information between use cases, users or scenarios. ATTAC has the capability to output all that data, including all geospatial information collected, to a database or multiple databases, PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Word and even PDF.

Current Situation

Today’s War fighters know all too well what a “Post Blast Scene” is. Although often dangerous and fragmented work, Post Blast Investigation (PBI) is an important aspect in preventing and mitigating future bombing attacks. Domestically, the primary objective of PBI is to collect and preserve evidence necessary to successfully convict criminals and terrorists in a court of law. In Asymmetric Warfare, intelligence gained from PBI can also be utilized to effectively and efficiently hunt down and capture or kill the enemy including the bomb makers.

The Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC) is essential to counterterrorism PBI efforts, and joint federal/military cells such as the Combined Explosive Exploitation Cell (CEXC) and Weapons Intelligence Teams (WIT) perform PBI daily in Iraq, Afghanistan and other areas central to the Global War on Terrorism. These joint teams need state-of-the-art technologies, the ability to coordinate and share information near-real-time, and compile lessons learned through tactical experience to successfully provide valuable intelligence. Unfortunately, due to incoming fire, secondary IEDs, Booby-traps and myriad other hazards that are intrinsic to the battlefield, they often have little time to conduct a “text book” PBI.

Software: a force Multiplier

Today’s data management challenge is consolidating an operator’s reports into one system or tool that provides standardization and configuration across the enterprise. The tool must be easy to use in order to facilitate use at the ground level and must utilize standardization to cut down on “dirty data.” It must also provide robust capabilities for diagramming and digital evidence to allow opertors to "paint a picture" of the event and the tool must report agnostically to any database anywhere in the world, as there are many.

ATTAC and software like it enables warfighters, operators and technicians to quickly, but thoroughly investigate, document and report on post blast scenes under arduous conditions, in any theater of operations. Data gained can then be provided to systems like CIDNE, KNIFE and JDIGS in near-real-time so decision makers, analysts and other operators around the globe can use this information to protect personnel and property, save lives and capture or kill the enemy.

Like most software of its type, ATTAC was adapted from a time-tested software already in use, but with fewer capabilities. The Officers of these agencies often have only minutes to perform the initial investigation of the scene. ATTAC has capitalized and leveraged this technology and theory of operation and now makes it possible for Warfighters to gather, report and utilize valuable Post Blast and Intel data more quickly, efficiently and safely. This data will facilitate information sharing by improving the processes for threat data collection, analysis, and dissemination to authorized users, thereby protecting our troops and innocent civilians from future attacks. With ATTAC, the Operator now has the ability to quickly and easily document any post blast crime scene.

Forms

The forms in ATTAC are developed by our team to enhance your data-collection workflow and can be fully integrated and linked so they will export to PDF, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or virtually any database for ease of reporting.

Symbols

ATTAC has a huge symbols library that uses drag and drop pre-drawn “intelligent” symbols to create an electronic diagram or storyboard.

Digital Evidence

The user can also import digital evidence and edit it as needed. The imported photo, video or audio is a copy, so still admissible in court, but allows the user to graphically paint a picture of the event and connect that to the diagram.

Geospatial integration

The software also has an integrated 3rd party geospatial programs like Google Earth and ESRI. This function allows the user to click one button and with the Lat/Long or MGRS reference already imported to the form set, fly you to the incident, and then import that information directly to ATTAC. You then have the option to draw directly on the satellite image.

External links

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