Laser-based training systems used in military units are changing

When I served in the Turkish Armed Forces, laser-based systems designed to make training more realistic were used. In these systems, a laser pointer was attached to the weapons used and the personnel participating in the training were dressed in a suit containing receivers.

The working principle of the system was very simple. In offensive and defensive training, two opposing units (one in defence and one in offence) fought each other by applying the methods taught in single soldier combat training and situation-based training. In the training, this equipment was used instead of live ammunition or manoeuvre rounds.

When the soldiers aimed at each other and fired with the laser designator on the weapon, if the laser hit the soldier opposite them (that is, if they fired accurately and effectively and hit their opponents), the receivers on the equipment worn by the hit soldier detected this, and depending on the location of the hit, the hit personnel was out of combat.

If I remember correctly, the hit personnel realised that they had been hit by the illumination of a light or the sound of a sound. Thereupon, he would lie down on the ground and remain motionless. Although the personnel who had been shot realised this, it was not possible for them to continue the battle. Because the commander controlling the training saw the soldiers who were shot through a control system that was in contact with all the devices on the personnel.

Despite providing great technological support, these systems had some shortcomings. For example, since there was no explosion sound, the personnel participating in the training could not experience the reality of the conflict and the stress caused by the bullets hitting the surroundings. In other words, the training was a little far from reality.

Another weakness was that these laser-based systems (e.g. MİLES) could not fully reflect the characteristics of small arms (rifles, machine guns, etc.) in terms of their effects on fire and the target. For example, when a rifle is fired, the bullet coming out of the barrel does not go straight to the target. It first travels upwards, draws an arc and descends to hit the target. The laser beam from a laser pointer, however, travels in a straight line.

Another characteristic of the laser is that it travels very fast through the air. A bullet does not travel that fast. On the other hand, a bullet can penetrate many obstacles such as bushes, leaves, thin wood, a single row of bricks, etc. and reach its target. But a laser beam cannot reach its target even if it hits a tree leaf. Therefore, the laser beam cannot exactly simulate the bullet.

Today, in an article dated 29 October 2024 in Shephard magazine, I read that the Americans are working on a new system that will solve all these problems. From what is described in the article, it is understood that the US Army is about to solve all the problems created by the existing systems and completely change the system. Lockheed Martin, one of the famous arms industry companies, was working on the development of the new system.

Lockheed Martin has partnered with Epic Games (1) computer games company while designing this system. Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 was used. Company representatives David Cogdall and Dan Hyatt summarised the following information about the new system in their statements:

"An infantry battalion currently has 16 different weapon systems in use. Only six or seven of these systems can currently be used in training with MILES. In the new system, all weapons can be used. The new system also eliminates the equipment used with MILES, which includes laser receivers worn by personnel. Soldiers will only be equipped with the weapon guidance module."

MILES training is a physics-based event in which a laser exits the weapon and hits a receiver. But the lasers don't behave like real bullets. They travel very fast, only in a straight line, and stop when things get in their way, such as a leaf or a twig, which are not a problem for a normal projectile. 

The new system solves this problem with the Weapon Guidance Module, bringing a higher level of realism. Moreover, the module produced to do this is half the weight of the parts attached to the weapon in existing systems. This new module, which will be attached to the rifles, also enables the rifle to be followed in the training environment at all times.

In this way, it is possible to control and monitor the direction of the weapon and whether it is fired appropriately. For example, if a soldier who has a target running 200 metres away does not direct his weapon quickly and accurately to that target, this weakness is seen by the commander in control.

In other words, the system not only shows the training level of the unit, but also what mistakes each soldier has made and why. Thus, training needs are identified at the individual soldier level, and the system provides the necessary information to provide additional training to each personnel on an individual basis in the areas where they are deficient. 

The newly produced system can also simulate the firing path of weapons and their ability to penetrate weak targets in a realistic manner. In addition, the laser beam sent to the target does not go to the target in accordance with reality in obstacles that the real bullet of the weapon cannot penetrate.

The new system can simulate not only rifles but also weapons such as grenade launchers. Moreover, the module installed in rifles can be attached to any weapon without the need for any other part. The only thing to do is to tell the device that it is now a grenade launcher.

When this is done, the weapon becomes a grenade launcher, and when fired, the laser beam follows a flight path like a grenade launcher ammunition and lands where it needs to land. Where it lands, it creates the desired effect on all soldiers within the radius of the ammunition. In other words, soldiers within the radius of the projectile are seen as wounded or dead in the system. Thus, those soldiers are excluded from the battle.

One of the most important features of the new system is that it provides new possibilities in battlefield visualisation. In the new system, the trainer has a large amount of data. With an existing laser-based system, a maximum of 300 shots can be heard and a few people can be seen to have been hit.

Unless the training course is specially organised and camera images are viewed, it is not possible to know exactly what the troops are doing during the training. In the new system, however, it is possible to watch the training live from the control panel and replay it for later control. 

To do this, the system uses a camera called the 'eye of god'. This camera is placed in a suitable place where it can see the entire track during training. Thus, all data can be visualised.

The system also provides different measurements that can be tracked. All data is available to measure how long it takes for soldiers to point their barrels at the target and pull the trigger. The company is also working to adapt this system to armoured personnel carriers and armoured combat vehicles."

I don't know which system the Turkish Armed Forces are using now, but I think they are closely following the technological developments. The system mentioned above provides great opportunities especially in small unit level training.

The Turkish Armed Forces have been conducting operations (internal security operations) mainly in rural areas in northern Turkey and Iraq for a long time. It has been conducting trench operations and urban area operations in Syria. Such operations require the highest level of single soldier and small unit training.

For this reason, if the old systems purchased from the Americans are still in use, I think it would be appropriate to replace them. However, there is no need to purchase the new system from the Americans. A new system can be designed by analysing this system and identifying our additional needs. This new system can be produced by domestic and national companies in our country. For this, there is sufficient industry, knowledge and trained personnel infrastructure in our country:

Footnote

(1) Epic Games is an American company founded in 1991 by CEO Tim Sweeney. Headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, the company has many offices around the world. Epic is a leading interactive entertainment company and provider of 3D engine technology. https://www.epicgames.com/site/tr/about