REALITY CHECK
experience, which will expand—even transform—the Defense Industrial Base. “Tis market research effort will shape the prototyping requirements of our modern- ization programs with respect to AI and data,” he said.
PEO STRI, Bahbaz said, is also investing in computer vision technology as a poten- tial replacement for lasers currently used by the Instrumentable-Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (I-MILES), a system that enables the Army to simu- late combat and improve the realism of training.
“Object detection will enable us to simu- late physics-based direct fire engagement, further increasing the realism in the live training environment,” Bahbaz said, adding that recent engineering touch points have yielded promising results as haptic devices attempt to draw reaction of the forces as they maneuver in the force- on-force battle space.
At Soldier Touch Point 10 (a testing session point of refinement), he explained that two haptic devices were tested: 1) a haptic watch that also provided an elec- tronic MILES casualty card to process and display battle damage assessment on their training system in fidelity that allows the performance of medical tasks in a combat training exercise; and 2), a haptic Small Arms Protective Insert replacement, a type of body armor that provides a tactile feed- back sensation when impacted by a bullet, allowing the wearer to perceive a hit with- out feeling the full force.
Bahbaz said PEO STRI is experimenting with these haptic wearables to introduce the effects of explosions that are also inte- grated with mixed-reality devices and to increase the fidelity of interactions between live participants and synthetic entities in live exercises.
20 Army AL&T Magazine Spring 2025
REAL-WORLD BENEFITS
A Soldier from the 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, takes part in an operational demonstration of the STE LTS, designed and fielded by PEO STRI, at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana. STE LTS allows Soldiers to take part in more reps and sets than they would with live fire, while reducing training costs and improving safety. (Photo by Ariana Aubuchon, PEO STRI)
A “STAGES IN STAGES” APPROACH Bahbaz said there are two live train- ing modern products that will include a “stages in stages” approach, meaning phased in as technology matures and is validated. Tese two products are the Indi- rect Fire and Guide System (i.e., Stinger Trainer), with the first increment produc- tion planned to begin in fiscal year 2025 and fielding in fiscal year 2027, and the Direct Fire System with haptic and AI-enabled system, which is currently in the prototyping stage and scheduled for production in fiscal year 2027 and field- ing in fiscal year 2028-29.
Te Stinger Training System provides real- istic and immersive training for military personnel, enabling them to effectively
operate and maintain the Stinger missile system in a variety of combat scenarios and to simulate the complexities of real- world engagements. Tis allows users to develop the skills and confidence needed to accurately detect, track and engage enemy aircraft, while minimizing the risks and costs associated with live-fire training.
Te system requires the gunner to perform all tasks involved in Stinger operation and target engagement. Te life-sized Stinger trainer connects to range instrumentation, delivering realistic training without firing projectiles and can interrogate instru- mented aircraft utilizing a simulated Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), repli- cating the dimensions, weight and firing sequence of a real Stinger weapon system.
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