Army | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘Army’ Category

U.S. Army Expands Company-Level SUAS Solutions By Adding Three New Systems

Thursday, May 7th, 2026

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – The U.S. Army expanded the company-level Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) portfolio for priority Transformation in Contact (TiC) units by selecting three additional vendor solutions. Led by the Capability Program Executive (CPE) Aviation’s Project Manager for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (PM UAS), this capability expansion supports the Department of War’s (DoW) Drone Dominance priorities, expedites Army TiC initiatives, accelerates Soldier feedback, and informs requirement refinement.

The vendors and their respective systems are AeroVironment’s Vapor CLE, Mistral Inc.’s Thor, and Quantum Systems’ Vector AI. These systems were selected as TiC candidates following a flight capability demonstration and a manufacturing readiness assessment, which validate performance and equip warfighters with drone technology faster, in accordance with DoW’s Drone Dominance efforts.

“TiC units provide invaluable feedback to shape technology requirements,” said Lt. Col. Michael Carroll, SUAS Product Manager. “Our Soldiers are directly informing requirements that will allow us to continue delivering the best UAS products to meet the demands of our fighting formations.”

These platforms join the currently fielded Performance Drone Works (PDW) C-100 and Anduril Ghost-X systems placed in many Army formations, bringing the company level UAS portfolio to five different systems with their own set of unique capabilities and designs that enable a tailored approach to battlefield effects.

Posted in Army, Drone, Guest Post | No Comments »

The Invisible Front: How PSYOP is Redefining Modern Conflict

Thursday, May 7th, 2026

FORT POLK, La.—At the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Soldiers from the 7th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Battalion are focused on a critical aspect of modern conflict: psychological warfare. As they integrate with the 82nd Airborne Division for a demanding training rotation, they are not only honing traditional skills but are also testing the very future of their craft. Armed with experimental AI systems, tactical drones, and modern versions of classic deception tools, these Soldiers are on the front lines of defining information dominance for the next conflict.

For PSYOP units, JRTC is the ultimate proving ground. “Coming out to a CTC (Combat Training Center) gives PSYOP a chance to actually integrate with Civil Affairs, Special Forces, Ranger Regiment, and the conventional forces as well,” explained a seasoned PSYOP Observer Controller Trainer (OCT) at JRTC. He emphasized that this is not a siloed exercise, but a complex simulation of large-scale operations where PSYOP must seamlessly weave its capabilities into the broader fight.

This integration is designed to be comprehensive, with PSYOP elements supporting commanders at every level of conflict. PSYOP personnel are typically embedded at the division and brigade levels, and others work directly with other Special Operations Forces, 7th PSYOP Battalion’s Tactical PSYOP Team (TPT), focused on the battalion level. The detachment commander explained that his team’s mission placed them directly with the infantry and artillery battalions of the 82nd. This forward positioning allowed them to provide commanders on the ground with immediate access to non-kinetic options to shape the fight.

Forging the Future: A Closer Look at PSYOP’s New Toolkit

A central part of the mission at JRTC is putting new experimental equipment and procedures through its paces in a realistic combat environment. This rotation featured several key pieces of technology that demonstrated significant promise for the future of psychological operations, from AI-driven content creation to advanced battlefield deception.

Ghost in the Machine: An AI-Powered Media Generator

One of the most forward-looking systems being tested is the “Ghost Machine”, a ruggedized, field-deployable AI platform. Its purpose is to give Soldiers the ability to create and disseminate messages and media on the spot, dramatically reducing the time between commander’s intent and a product’s creation.

A combat camera specialist who tested the system, highlighted its audio generation feature as particularly impressive. Soldiers can input a script, and the AI can translate it and generate an audio file of a native sounding speaker reading the message in a variety of languages. This allows a team to, for example, create a targeted loudspeaker message for a specific local population or enemy unit in their own dialect within minutes, a task that would have previously required specialized linguist support and recording equipment. The system is also capable of generating simple images, providing a rapid response capability for creating basic visual aids in the field.

Drones on the Battlefield: The Sky-Raider and the “Night Haunter”

Proving to be one of the most immediately impactful tools were the tactical drones. The team utilized the Sky-Raider, a powerful quadcopter notable for its significant payload capacity. This lifting strength allows it to be a versatile delivery platform for a wide range of PSYOP products.

PSYOP Soldiers from across the regiment have demonstrated their field ingenuity by designing and 3-D printing their own custom delivery mechanisms. One of the most effective pairings was using the Sky-Raider to deploy “Night Haunters.” These are small, powerful speakers housed inside a cone to better project sounds, which can be dropped into strategic locations to broadcast messages, sounds, or recordings of military equipment like tanks or munitions.

A PSYOP Soldier described the drone’s varied applications, which went far beyond simple leaflet drops. In one scenario, the team used a drone broadcasting specific sounds to subtly influence an enemy patrol’s route, channeling them directly into a pre-planned ambush by friendly infantry. In another, they used it to divert enemy armored vehicles by flying over a road and broadcasting the sounds of mining activity, deceiving the enemy into believing the route was impassable.

Tactical Deception: The “Magpie” and Dummy Artillery

PSYOP teams are also modernizing classic deception tactics with new technology. By combining visual decoys with electronic warfare, they can create convincing illusions to mislead the enemy. During the rotation, the team deployed inflatable, dummy M777 howitzer barrels to create the visual signature of an artillery position.

To make the deception truly believable, they paired the visual dummies with the Magpie emitter. This device is an electronic warfare tool designed to replicate the specific radio frequency (RF) signature of a real M777 howitzer’s command and control network. When the Magpie is active, and enemy conducting signals intelligence (SIGINT) will detect what appears to be a fully operational artillery firing positions.

The goal, as a detachment commander explained, is to “bait the enemy into firing on the dummy position.” This multi-layered deception pressures an enemy commander to waste high-value, precision-guided munitions on a fake target. More importantly, the moment the enemy fires, their position is exposed to friendly counter-battery radar and fire, allowing US forces to destroy the real enemy asset. It’s a sophisticated trap that turns the enemy’s own intelligence-gathering against them.

Forging a Vision for the Future

The experience at JRTC is about more than just testing new equipment, it’s about shaping the future role of PSYOP. The military as whole sees a clear need for PSYOP’s unique skills in shaping the information environment, from the brigade’s rear area all the way to the front lines and beyond.

The vision for PSYOP is ambitious. The company’s operations officer described a role where his teams could so thoroughly control the flow of information that the enemy is paralyzed. In this vision of psychological warfare, PSYOP’s job is to flood the enemy’s intelligence apparatus with so much conflicting data that they “can’t decipher what is true and what is not.”

“As far as I’m concerned,” the operations officer concluded, “what PSYOP does for that division commander is we tell the enemy what is true and what isn’t. So that way, we have all the advantages.”

By CPT Rachel Deppen

Posted in Army, Guest Post, IO, SOF | No Comments »

Hybrid Anti Materiel Round (HAMR): Delivering Decisive Advantage Through Unconventional Innovation

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

As the Army enhances Soldier lethality, Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition’s (JPEO A&A) Product Manager (PdM) Small Caliber Ammunition is developing the XM1224 Hybrid-Anti Materiel Round (HAMR) precision cartridge for the MK22 Precision Sniper Rifle.

No matter the operational environment, snipers continue to maintain relevancy and technologies to sense and see farther demand persistent investment in precision sniper ammunition. Traditionally, this has meant equipping snipers with multiple weapon systems and ammunition types, which increased load. The XM1224 HAMR will deliver improved accuracy and performance when compared to the existing M1162 round and addresses the anticipated capability gap when the Army divests of the legacy M107 weapon system.

The XM1224 program streamlines ammunition choices, reduces combat load and is an evolutionary increase in precision ammunition that will outpace the threat.

TRANSFORMING IN CONTACT REQUIRES AGILE THINKING

Driven by a commitment to providing warfighters with the best tools to win decisively, PdM Small Caliber Ammunition adopted a fast, unconventional approach to rapidly deliver capability by combining the capability of government scientists and engineers with the speed and efficiency of commercial partners—developing the lethal projectile and high-pressure cartridge case in parallel with continuous integration touch points. This is accomplished in partnership with contracting professionals who leveraged acquisition authorities, which enabled speed and agility.

The XM1224 logo developed by the team at DEVCOM-AC. (Photo courtesy of JPEO A&A)

FILLING THE VOID

The XM1224 HAMR program is a significant advancement in precision ammunition. No commercially available .338 caliber projectile could provide the terminal performance needed to replace the legacy anti-materiel M107 sniper rifle with its larger and heavier .50 caliber ammunition.

Recognizing the importance of precision for sniper systems, The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) prioritized ballistics during the initial design phase. A comprehensive modeling and prototyping effort evaluated numerous projectile shapes to identify the most aerodynamically efficient solution. Prototypes underwent rigorous testing, utilizing advanced radar to precisely measure aerodynamic performance. This data-driven approach ensured the solution was optimized for both precision and the incorporation of advanced anti-materiel technologies.

To deliver the required terminal performance across a wide range of targets at extended ranges, PdM Small Caliber partnered with DEVCOM AC to leverage Picatinny Arsenal’s fully integrated, in-house design and fabrication capabilities. The infrastructure and cutting-edge equipment enabled rapid build-test-build cycles to rapidly meet requirements. The XM1224 HAMR projectile stands as a testament of the synergies between JPEO A&A and DEVCOM AC at the Army’s Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition.

A MISS IS A MESSAGE

The XM1224 HAMR fundamentally redefines long-range precision. PdM Small Caliber and DEVCOM AC have moved beyond incremental improvements, signaling a fundamental shift in the program. The XM1224 delivers a 20% increase in accuracy over currently fielded precision ammunition, but the real breakthrough comes with a stunning 75% increase in accuracy compared to the legacy .50 caliber precision ammunition for the M107. The new HAMR round provides warfighters with an overmatching capability against emerging threats, ensuring they maintain a critical edge and operational superiority in any environment; this technology is designed to dominate the battlefield.

ACCELERATING INNOVATION: DEPARTMENT OF WAR AND INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP

The team partnered with industry through a Department of Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium, Other Transaction Authority, contract for maturation and further refinement of key cartridge component technologies with a focus on cost-reduction and producibility. Leveraging the innovative capabilities and expertise of private sector partners, we are not only accelerating the development of advanced technologies but also ensuring that these solutions are economically viable and scalable for military applications. This partnership exemplifies the Department of War’s commitment to engaging with industry leaders in pursuit of modernization and enhanced operational readiness. This strategic alignment profoundly enhances our military’s operational effectiveness, ensuring we are fully prepared to address any challenges that may emerge on the battlefield.

The XM1224 cartridge. (Photo courtesy of JPEO A&A)

ARSENAL TO INDUSTRY: SCALING FOR SUCCESS

As the program proceeds through the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase, the PdM Small Caliber and DEVCOM AC team at Picatinny Arsenal will leverage in-house capabilities to produce and complete acceptance testing. Following Milestone C, full-rate production will be competed. This transition is expected to ensure a seamless handover of production and the preservation of critical expertise, ultimately maintaining a continuously ready force equipped to pace evolving threats.

CONCLUSION

The XM1224 HAMR program illustrates how blending government innovation with commercial execution, planning a phased transition and emphasizing continuous knowledge sharing, we can deliver capabilities to the field faster and more effectively model with significant implications for the future of defense acquisition and modernizing the Army to be the most lethal force against the evolving threat. The XM1224 HAMR isn’t just about getting ammunition into the field, it’s about equipping Soldiers with the capability they need to fight and win decisively.

For more information, go to the PdM Small Caliber Ammunition webpage at jpeoaa.army.mil/Project-Offices/PM-MAS/Teams/PdM-Small-Caliber.

MAJ. CALVIN W. TAYLOR III, an armor and signal officer, serves as the assistant product manager for Small Caliber Ammunition within Project Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems and is the project lead for the XM1224 HAMR. He holds an M.S.in systems engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School and a B.B.A. in business management from Austin Peay State University. He has been in the acquisition workforce for three years and is Certified Contracting Professional.

TYLER ROTUNNO, Ph.D., serves as the armaments project officer and lead engineer for the Precision Family of Ammunition, including the XM1224 HAMR program, at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. He holds a Ph.D. and an M.S., both in armament engineering, from the U.S. Army’s Armament Graduate School and a B.S. in biomedical engineering with a specialization in biomechanics from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He brings 10 years of engineering experience to the Department of War, including six years focused on sniper weapon systems and four years on precision ammunition development.

Posted in Ammo, Army, Guest Post | 5 Comments »

Eerie Company: A New Threat at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026

HOHENFELS, Germany — Soldiers assigned to the newly established Eerie Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, used first-person-view drone systems to enhance reconnaissance capabilities during Joint Multinational Readiness Center exercises in Hohenfels, Germany.

Acting as the opposing force during the exercise, the company replicated a modern battlefield threat by combining emerging drone technology and electronic warfare with traditional infantry tactics, creating a realistic training environment for rotational units.

Established in December, Eerie Company specializes in short-, mid- and long-range reconnaissance to provide timely, accurate battlefield intelligence. The unit was created to address the evolving demands of modern warfare and to increase situational awareness across the battalion.

“The rate at which modern warfare is moving, and due to current conflicts, this company was established to help bridge that gap and be the eyes and ears of the battalion,” said Army Capt. Luther Salmon, company commander.

One of the primary systems the company employs is the Archer, a first-person-view drone used to replicate emerging aerial threats observed in ongoing global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.

Army Spc. Ryan Hatcher, an infantryman and subject matter expert on the system, emphasized its effectiveness during training.

“It’s pretty good for an FPV,” Hatcher said. “Other FPVs we’ve flown here in Hohenfels, Germany, we’ve only been able to max out at eight to 10 minutes of battery life.”

Hatcher added that operating first-person-view drone systems is not limited to a specific military occupational specialty, which allows Soldiers from across the formation to qualify as drone pilots and contribute to reconnaissance efforts.

He said the Archer can be configured for multiple roles, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. In some scenarios, similar systems may be equipped with munitions, allowing Soldiers to train on identifying the differences between armed and unarmed drones.

Due to its limited range, the system is primarily employed in defensive operations, providing units with a close-range aerial perspective of the battlefield and enhancing their ability to detect and respond to threats.

Through the use of drone technology and specialized reconnaissance elements, Eerie Company continues to adapt to the rapidly changing operational environment, ensuring the battalion remains prepared for modern combat scenarios.

By SSG Troy Wharton

Posted in Army, Drone, Guest Post | No Comments »

US Army Selects AV’s Switchblade 400 for LASSO Program

Tuesday, May 5th, 2026

Award establishes Switchblade 400 as key component of Army’s enduring next-generation loitering munition program

ARLINGTON, Va.– AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that it has been awarded a prototype agreement from the U.S. Army for the Low-Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program to support the rapid development, delivery and testing of the Switchblade® 400 loitering munition.

The award establishes Switchblade 400, AV’s medium-range, man-portable, anti-armor loitering munition, as a key component of the Army’s LASSO program, supporting the service’s modernization priorities for rapidly deployable, precision strike capabilities that can operate effectively in contested environments.

“This award reflects the Army’s confidence not only in Switchblade 400, but in AV’s ability to deliver at scale,” said Trace Stevenson, President of Autonomous Systems at AV. “Being selected under the LASSO program positions AV as a long-term partner to the Army as it modernizes its loitering munition capabilities, from development and testing through production, fielding, and continuous capability evolution.”

The first loitering munition purpose-built to operate within AV_Halo™, AV’s modular command-and-control ecosystem, Switchblade 400 incorporates advanced aided target recognition (ATR) and autonomous capabilities to detect, classify, and engage targets, day or night, in denied and contested environments while delivering the same anti-armor performance comparable to larger systems, like the Switchblade 600 Blk 2.

Core to Switchblade 400 is the implementation of a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) in system design to ensure long-term system resilience and relevance allowing for interoperability, upgradeability, and affordability as missions evolve.

Known as the “Lightweight Tank Destroyer,” and sized to fit common launch tubes, Switchblade 400 enables a sensor-to-shooter concept of operations that allows a single soldier to detect, identify, and engage targets through a unified, networked architecture – shortening decision timelines while increasing precision, speed, and operational flexibility at the tactical edge. The system features an all-up round (AUR) weighing under 40 pounds that provides the soldier with a lightweight, man-portable, anti-tank weapon system.

“Switchblade 400 is the product of continuous feedback from the field and the soldiers who rely on our systems in real-world operations,” said Brian Young, Senior Vice President of Loitering Munitions at AV. “We are constantly leaning forward, integrating new capabilities, enhancing performance, and reducing the burden on the warfighter. That soldier-driven approach is central to how we develop, test, and deliver capability for the Army.”

The new OTA award under LASSO follows a recent $186 million delivery order from the U.S. Army for Switchblade® 600 Block 2 and Switchblade® 300 Block 20 explosively formed penetrator (EFP) loitering munition systems, part of the Army’s existing five-year, $990 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract under the Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS) Directed Requirement (DR), which was awarded in August 2024. It was the Army’s first Switchblade order containing EFP payload, delivering enhanced lethality against armored threats.

“The Army’s trust in the Switchblade family has been earned through years of real-world use by soldiers who rely on these systems every day,” said Jimmy Jenkins, Executive Vice President of Precision Strike and Defense Systems at AV. “That trust reflects a clear operational need for precision, speed, and adaptability at the tactical edge—capabilities the Switchblade family is designed to deliver as missions and threats continue to change.”

Posted in Army, Contracts, Munitions, Press Release | No Comments »

FlyTrap 5.0 Puts Emerging Tech in Warfighters’ Hands

Tuesday, May 5th, 2026

PABRAD? TRAINING AREA, Lithuania – U.S. infantry Soldiers from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and paratroopers from the U.K. Parachute Regiment prepare for the force-on-force phase of Project FlyTrap 5.0 at Pabrad? Training Area, Lithuania, May 2. FlyTrap 5.0 integrates autonomous and unmanned ground vehicles, first-person view drones and counter-unmanned aerial systems on the simulated battlefield.

The day marked the third consecutive day of preparation and system integration for the exercise, which included an exercise briefing attended by U.S. Soldiers and U.K. paratroopers participating in the force-on-force portion of FlyTrap 5.0. Soldiers spent the remainder of the day conducting drone familiarization, operating unmanned ground vehicles and rehearsing C-UAS procedures in preparation for the upcoming engagement.

Among those preparing was Spc. Arthur Tugman, an infantryman assigned to 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, who has taken on the role of unmanned ground vehicle operator for the exercise, a mission set outside his traditional infantry duties.

“My role in FlyTrap 5.0 is to serve as an unmanned ground vehicle operator, where I operate various unmanned ground vehicle platforms to transport equipment, Soldiers, unmanned aerial systems and counter-unmanned aerial systems to wherever they are needed,” Tugman said.

The integration of infantry Soldiers into UGV operations reflects a broader theme running through FlyTrap 5.0; placing emerging technology directly in the hands of warfighters regardless of their primary specialty, and using their feedback to drive rapid improvements across the force. FlyTrap 5.0 hopes to organically assimilate these new duties to Soldiers already assigned to units.

Tugman said the speed at which his unit has been able to absorb and operate the new systems has been one of the more surprising aspects of the exercise.

“Something I learned that I didn’t expect was how fast the United States Army is able to integrate new systems into warfighting tactics,” he said. “I’d say this equipment is very easy to use. I’m able to pick it up, turn it on, and send it wherever it needs to go, as far as it needs to go, as fast as it needs to go.”

That ease of use, Tugman said, has direct implications for how the soldiers could employ these systems at scale across the force.

“If all our technology works the way it’s supposed to, we will preserve manpower as well as accomplish the mission faster and more effectively,” he said.

For Tugman, the measure of success extends beyond the exercise itself. He described his goal as helping establish repeatable, standardized procedures for integrating C-UAS and UGV capabilities into 2nd Cavalry Regiment’s formations; procedures he hopes will eventually be adopted Army-wide.

U.S. and Allied forces conduct Project Fly Trap 5.0 as part of a series of linked exercises, including Sword, Saber Strike, Immediate Response, and Swift Response, which transform experimentation into capability. During Flytrap, Soldiers integrate counter-unmanned systems, AI-enabled command and control, and live data networks to move faster, decide faster, and fight more effectively across all domains.

Story by SGT Max Elliott

196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Posted in Army, Drone, Guest Post, Robotics, Unmanned Systems, UxS | No Comments »

Balikatan 2026: 5th Battalion, 3rd Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division Conducts HIRAIN Live-Fire Iteration

Monday, May 4th, 2026

PALAWAN, Philippines– Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 3rd Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division (Multi-Domain Command-Pacific) conducted a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System live-fire iteration on April 27, 2026, in Palawan, Philippines. Conducted in coordination with U.S. Marines, Philippine marines and Australian soldiers, this event was part of a counter landing live fire exercise designed to repel a simulated enemy landing force across multipleranges, from deep-water approaches to shallow littorals, in defense of the island. The HIMARS maneuvered onto the beach from a concealed position and launched four Reduced Range Practice Rockets, effectively demonstrating the system’s mobility and precision. Thepractice and preparation by Alpha battery soldiers resulted in an exceptionally fluid and rapidly executed fire mission.

“Today what we demonstrated was the absolute power that the land component brings to the fightin the pacific.” Said Lt. Col. Alexander Mullin, commander of the 5th Battalion, 3rd ArtilleryRegiment. ”Huge gains were made with the interoperability between the nations’ forces, communication and coordination of multiple fires were on full display during the exercise.” Mullin stated, “through being here we are demonstrating the cross-domain contact layer concept, which is our ability to provide a covering force in the pacific and achieve decisive effects.” The Cross-Domain Contact Layer is not merely a system or standalone capability; rather, it serves as a framework for synchronizing legacy, exquisite and emerging capabilities. It integrates sensing,effects, and artificial intelligence-enabled command and control into a persistent, all-domain architecture that maintains continuous contact from the operational deep area to the close fight.

Positioning HIMARS for these exercises is a formidable logistical undertaking. Meticulous attention is required to adhere to host nation regulations during road movements, necessitatingacute situational awareness of local infrastructure, including small bridges and low-hanging power lines. Upon departing paved routes, the HIMARS navigates unforgiving jungle environments, mountainous terrain, and sandy littoral zones. Throughout this process, all logistics are closely coordinated in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“All the live fires that we have done could not have been done without the support of the Philippine marines and the Philippine Army as we make our movements across the country,” said 1st Sgt. Shawn Washburn, Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.

The environment challenges soldiers to operate beyond their comfort zones of typical home station training, acclimating them to the rigorous conditions they may encounter in future conflicts. Furthermore, the tropical climate provides invaluable opportunities for personnel to adapt and endure weather challenges while sustaining operations in an austere environment and maintaining physical readiness.

Story by SSG Brandon Rickert

7th Infantry Division

Posted in Army, Fires, Guest Post | No Comments »

Elite Army Engineers Leverage ENFIRE at Best Sapper Competition

Sunday, May 3rd, 2026

The annual Best Sapper Competition gathers the U.S. Army’s elite engineers to compete in tests of skill, endurance, and creativity in leveraging advanced technologies.

That’s why the Army’s ENFIRE reconnaissance system played a role in this year’s competition held at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., from April 20 to 23.

Cory Baron, who manages Product Director Combat Terrain Information Systems (PD CTIS) which fields ENFIRE, explained why the system was included in the competition for the third year in a row.

“Being invited to participate in the Best Sapper competition is an incredible honor,” said Baron. “To be asked to come back again and again is a testament to the work the team has done to advance these capabilities and continue to shape the future of the program.”

The Instrument Set, Reconnaissance and Surveying (Common name: ENFIRE) supports Soldiers by expediting deliberate route, area and zone reconnaissance, route clearance, hazard identification, inventory, and construction management efforts through the integration of digital tools into a single platform.

The Best Sapper Competition began in 2005 and is hosted by the U.S. Army Engineer School. Competition officials say Best Sapper not only proves the best engineering team but aims to “challenge and test the service members’ knowledge, physical prowess and mental fortitude.”

Ahead of the competition, PD CTIS engineers planned the ENFIRE lane, which recons would be conducted, and how to best utilize system software and hardware. The team then participates in a full dress rehearsal to ensure ENFIRE competition parameters are feasible and responds to questions from senior leadership. PD CTIS does not play a role in evaluating competitors but remains on site throughout the event for technical support if needed.

PD CTIS leverages events like the Best Sapper Competition to evaluate capabilities in a high paced and highly dynamic environment, putting ENFIRE through its paces in unprecedented ways.

“Supporting and observing in real-time, our systems being used to answer complex engineer challenges, is an incredible opportunity to receive critical feedback that help us in the program office shape future iterations of the tools to maximize utility of system,” Baron said.

ENFIRE demonstrated ease of use for the engineers with almost no training provided by PD CTIS staff. Competitors tested new ENFIRE and ENFIRE Dismounted functionality at a strenuous level, proving reliability in a high-pressure environment.

While the competition provided engineers an opportunity to prove their skills on ENFIRE it also provided PD CTIS an opportunity to improve the system, currently in its 12th iteration. During the competition the team identified minor software issues that will be addressed with planned fieldings in 2027 and 2028.

“The insights the team receive through facilitating and observing competitors is priceless,” Baron said. “Observing the system function in an extreme environment to support engineer mission tasks at speed is a critical factor in the evolution of the kit as we continuously modernize these capabilities.”

By M. Scott Bortot

Posted in Army, Guest Post | No Comments »