A new system demonstrator designed to help European Armed Forces deal with Personnel Recovery operations is now available for testing and training. The system – known as the Personnel Recovery Functional Area Service (PR FAS) Demonstrator – is part of the EDA’s work to close the interoperability gap in Personnel Recovery in European Armed Forces. The system is being used in training for the first time at the EU Personnel Recovery Controller and Planner Course (PRCPC) in Karlsborg, Sweden this month.
The PR FAS Demonstrator is a combination of software and a server designed specifically for use in situations involving Personnel Recovery. The device is rugged and portable and works on a ‘plug and play’ basis, so it can be used by just connecting it to a laptop or can be integrated into the command and control (C2) system of the force using it.
Work on the project will continue - focusing on integrating the PR FAS into national C2 systems and further incremental development and improvement. The device is therefore available to participating Member States for further testing and development and the results of the original work have already been disseminated for national evaluation. The project is part of the EDA’s role in improving the capability and interoperability of the European Armed Forces in Personnel Recovery. This involves not only the development of new systems but also improving training and coordination.
Personnel Recovery is aimed at mitigating and reacting to the risk of isolation, capture, and exploitation of military or civilian personnel during a Crisis Management Operation (CMO).