EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE FORCE
“The simpler we can make the system, the less they [Soldiers] actually have to remember how to use the system.”
A CYCLE OF ITERATIONS AND TRANSFORMATION Te usability test is just one phase in what will be a continu- ous cycle in the development of AFATDS AXS, with the 10th Mountain Division Artillery serving as the Army’s DevOps unit. Product Manager Fire Support Command and Control will continue to prioritize upgrades and improvements based on Soldier feedback, particularly as the 10th Mountain Division uses the software in additional command post exercises and trainings.
“During the Soldier touch points [STP], Soldiers are exposed to the software only for the duration of the STP,” said Castillo. “With the 10th Mountain, we are leaving the software with the unit in what we’re calling ‘Unit Transformations.’ We are giving them the opportunity to incorporate it into their training and build the software into the actual architecture of the unit.” As the Army continues to iterate on the software, the goal will be to put new versions into the hands of Soldiers as frequently as possible.
Soldiers are seeing the benefits of the quick turn, as Spc. Brant- ley Tercero, a fire support specialist with the 10th Mountain Division who took part in two Unit Transformations, said of the vast improvement of AFATDS AXS. “We don’t have to wait for a whole system to be completely updated,” he said. “As soon as one thing is updated, they’re [PEO C3N] sending it to us.”
CONCLUSION Because AFATDS AXS is based off the government-owned software called Tactical Assault Kit (TAK), the Army foresees training to be simpler and quicker, with the software’s look and feel resembling other familiar Army systems. Castillo compares it to adjusting to a new app on your phone. “TAK is the base like your Android phone, and AXS is like an app within that base. Soldiers will be able to spend more time planning and execut- ing rather than learning the software.”
With shorter training time will also come a host of benefits, like improved mission performance and warfighter readiness, reduced life cycle costs and optimized system performance.
https://asc.ar my.mil 45
“Tis is really going to benefit the Army,” said Savage-Knep- shield. “We were given the challenge to reduce training time from 120 hours for AFATDS down to 40 hours, or less. If we can do that, we will not only reduce complexity but provide a tool that transforms the Army’s ability to execute fires and defend our nation.”
For more information, go to
https://peoc3n.army.mil
/O r g a n i z a t i on s / PM-M i s s i on - C o m m a n d / F i r e - S u p p o r t - C omm a n d - a n d - C o n t r ol .
DANIELLE KRESS is a public communications specialist at PEO C3N. She holds a B.A. in broadcast journalism from Wilmington University.
MAJ. HENRY CASTILLO is an assistant program manager within PEO C3N. Before PEO C3N, he served as a contracting officer supporting contingency operations at U.S. Central Command. He holds an M.A. in procurement and acquisition management from Webster University and a B.S. in industrial engineering from the Mother and Teacher Pontifical Catholic University in the Dominican Republic.
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