thedrifter
03-17-04, 05:56 AM
Marines hone skills with space-age laser transmitter weaponry
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2004315194357
Story by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan (March 12, 2004) -- When reading science fiction stories about the future, many envision the adventures of characters like Flash Gordon, Judge Dredd and Ziggy Stardust shooting their hi-tech weapons at alien villains. Although these stories do not seem to be an omen of things to come, the weapons they describe are slowly becoming a part of our modern military.
The MILES-2000 gear, or Multipurpose Integrated Laser Engagement System, has been a part of the Marine Corps since May 2002. This laser tag system is essential for training Marines, according to Steve Gordon, site manager for Unitech Tactical Simulations Center, Okinawa Branch.
“The purpose of the MILES-2000 gear is to provide Marines a chance to conduct force-on-force training,” Gordon said. “Obviously they can’t shoot live ammunition at each other, so instead of running in the field and shouting bang, they can now shoot each other with lasers.”
The MILES-2000 gear is available for every direct-fire weapon the Marine Corps employs with the exception of the 9 mm service pistol.
A laser transmitter is mounted on each weapon and is coded to fire an invisible, optically safe laser for a distance replicating each weapon’s maximum effective range.
The shooter also wears a vest and halo with sensors attached. The sensors pick up the laser signal from an opponent’s weapon. A digital readout panel attached to the vest tells the Marine if he was killed or nearly hit when fired upon by his opponent’s laser. The panel can also display the player identification number of the opponent who fired the laser.
“I have enough of the gear in my warehouse to outfit around 1,100 Marines,” Gordon stated. “Overall, the price tag of everything here on Okinawa is around $5 million. The Marine Corps has branches like this at Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, Hawaii, and Quantico.”
The price tag may seem a bit heavy to support a battalion-sized unit with MILES-2000 gear, but Gordon said it’s cost effective when compared to the price of a simulated paint round which averages 25 cents per round.
The MILES-2000 equipment has become imperative in modern Marine training. With infantry battalions leaving Okinawa for Iraq in the coming weeks, Marines from 3rd Marine Division are currently taking full advantage of the MILES-2000 gear.
“I think the gear is really good,” said Lance Cpl. Eric T. Pittman, rifleman from Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. “The gear as a whole meets training standards.”
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004315194624/$file/Release0125-2004-01low.jpg
CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan - Lance Cpl. Eric T. Pittman, rifleman from Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, assumes a kneeling position while using the new MILES-2000 equipment. The MILES-2000 gear is a laser tag system that assists Marines in force-on-force training scenarios. The MILES-2000 gear is an updated version of the old MILES gear which the Marine Corps has used for training purposes for more than 20 years. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/6FDAF307FEAD390285256E5900040674?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2004315194357
Story by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan (March 12, 2004) -- When reading science fiction stories about the future, many envision the adventures of characters like Flash Gordon, Judge Dredd and Ziggy Stardust shooting their hi-tech weapons at alien villains. Although these stories do not seem to be an omen of things to come, the weapons they describe are slowly becoming a part of our modern military.
The MILES-2000 gear, or Multipurpose Integrated Laser Engagement System, has been a part of the Marine Corps since May 2002. This laser tag system is essential for training Marines, according to Steve Gordon, site manager for Unitech Tactical Simulations Center, Okinawa Branch.
“The purpose of the MILES-2000 gear is to provide Marines a chance to conduct force-on-force training,” Gordon said. “Obviously they can’t shoot live ammunition at each other, so instead of running in the field and shouting bang, they can now shoot each other with lasers.”
The MILES-2000 gear is available for every direct-fire weapon the Marine Corps employs with the exception of the 9 mm service pistol.
A laser transmitter is mounted on each weapon and is coded to fire an invisible, optically safe laser for a distance replicating each weapon’s maximum effective range.
The shooter also wears a vest and halo with sensors attached. The sensors pick up the laser signal from an opponent’s weapon. A digital readout panel attached to the vest tells the Marine if he was killed or nearly hit when fired upon by his opponent’s laser. The panel can also display the player identification number of the opponent who fired the laser.
“I have enough of the gear in my warehouse to outfit around 1,100 Marines,” Gordon stated. “Overall, the price tag of everything here on Okinawa is around $5 million. The Marine Corps has branches like this at Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, Hawaii, and Quantico.”
The price tag may seem a bit heavy to support a battalion-sized unit with MILES-2000 gear, but Gordon said it’s cost effective when compared to the price of a simulated paint round which averages 25 cents per round.
The MILES-2000 equipment has become imperative in modern Marine training. With infantry battalions leaving Okinawa for Iraq in the coming weeks, Marines from 3rd Marine Division are currently taking full advantage of the MILES-2000 gear.
“I think the gear is really good,” said Lance Cpl. Eric T. Pittman, rifleman from Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. “The gear as a whole meets training standards.”
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/2004315194624/$file/Release0125-2004-01low.jpg
CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan - Lance Cpl. Eric T. Pittman, rifleman from Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, assumes a kneeling position while using the new MILES-2000 equipment. The MILES-2000 gear is a laser tag system that assists Marines in force-on-force training scenarios. The MILES-2000 gear is an updated version of the old MILES gear which the Marine Corps has used for training purposes for more than 20 years. Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/6FDAF307FEAD390285256E5900040674?opendocument
Ellie