READY, AIM, UPGRADE
O
n May 31, the Repub- lic of Korea, Land of the Morning Calm, awoke to a new era in armor gun-
nery training. Korea’s Rodriguez Live Fire Complex (RLFC) was transformed from a legacy gunnery range to a new, world-class facility with two digitally enhanced ranges.
This modern complex now touts a Digital Multi-Purpose Training Range (DMPTR) and a Digital Multi-Purpose Range Com- plex (DMPRC). These ranges provide technologically enhanced digital capa- bilities with distinct range modifications, which improve doctrinal training.
In the words of 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) Commander MG Michael S. Tucker, “This technology allows us to achieve high- performing ‘killer crews’ in half the time required when using non-digital ranges.”
THE CHALLENGE In early March 2010, Tucker challenged the Program Executive Office Simula- tion, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) to modernize his combat vehicle ranges. Real-world events accelerated the fielding to 2ID of
the Army’s new-
est Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles, the M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP) v2 and the M2A3 Bradley. The existing Eighth Army ranges, however, were inadequate to maximize the poten- tial of the newest digital combat vehicles. PEO STRI assigned the urgent require- ment to the Product Manager Digitized Training (PdM DT), the team responsible for developing and fielding the Army’s Digital Range Training System (DRTS).
Meeting the urgent need was initially rated a high risk. The DRTS Program was faced with executing two unanticipated, major range upgrades under the constraints of an OCONUS location within eight months.
58 Army AL&T Magazine
CONFIGURING THE RANGE
The Rodriguez Range Multi-Purpose Range Complex is shown in its original configuration before the installation of the Digital Range Training System and changes to the lanes and battle positions.
Adding to the complexity of the proj- ect was the requirement to work jointly with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Far East District and associated contractors in making extensive physical range changes at the same time that instru- mentation and testing were set to occur.
The two legacy RLFC analog ranges were not capable of meeting the expanded requirements of the Army’s newest tanks and Bradleys. The ranges also lacked the tools needed for quality after-action reviews (AARs). The smaller Multi-Purpose Training Range was equipped with Targetry Range Automated Control and Recording, but the system was not optimal because of information assurance constraints unique to Korea. The Multi-Purpose Range Complex was even further behind technologically, with rudimentary target controllers and outdated field cameras. Additionally, it lacked the capability to view and record Thru-Sight Video in real time.
INHERENT CAPABILITIES The technical solution to the 2ID’s urgent training need was logically found in the inherent capabilities of DRTS, which is
a live-fire gunnery and tactical training support system. DRTS provides the capa- bility to train, evaluate, and stress today’s Soldiers and their modern equipment with a realistic, train-as-you-fight opera- tional environment.
The instrumentation suite includes con- trol consoles to digitally plan and control live-fire Abrams, Bradleys, aviation assets, and Strykers with dismounted infantry training. The integrated software executes the training scenarios through the Sce- nario Development Tool.
DRTS uses the onboard Integrated Player Unit (IPU) with third-generation Internet Protocol technology to wirelessly stream data including the vehicle’s location, audio, Thru-Sight/crew video, and digital 1553 data buss information (for trigger pulls/ ammo select/turret azimuth/elevation). The IPU is mounted on the vehicle’s exte- rior and retransmits vehicle data using a wireless mesh infrastructure to the Range Operations Center. The latest IPU accom- plishes this data transmission requirement at reduced cost and installation time com- pared with earlier versions.
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