'Pop-up' targets keep soldiers on toes
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
By SHELBY G. SPIRES
Times Aerospace Writer shelby.spires@htimes.com

Lockheed devices make training scenarios realistic

Lockheed Martin in Huntsville is developing movie-studio-type equipment to better prepare soldiers for battle.

Tanks that explode, infantry soldiers that fall down and terrorists who crash checkpoints are all part of the simulated "pop-up" type targets being developed in Huntsville to better train U.S. Army and U.S. Marines around the world. Lockheed Martin Corp. develops complex software and hardware that control a variety of these types of targets.

"If it is real on a training range, then maybe they will be better prepared to deal with it elsewhere," said Yousef Imam, live training business area manager for Lockheed Martin in Huntsville.

Lockheed Martin won a $4.5 million contract from the Army and Marine Corps to build targets and place them on a variety of ranges. For the Army these include three ranges that will be installed at Fort Hood and three at Fort Bliss, both in Texas.

The third contract was for follow-on systems for the U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager for Training Systems, which are slated to go to multiple Marine camps for ranges in Hawaii and Okinawa.

"We build mostly for live-fire target ranges. Our control devices move arms that pop up targets that range from enemy infantry targets to things like armor or tanks and other types of vehicles," Imam said.

The ranges can use static targets, but many also include moving targets that use smoke and sound generators to make the combat experience, and can range in size from just a few hundred yards to several square miles with hundreds of targets popping up to challenge soldiers, Imam said.

"It's not just theatrics. By adding a number of different elements, a training scenario comes as close as possible to being real, which is a benefit for the soldiers," Imam said. "We want to make this as realistic as possible."

The targets can simulate items as diverse as an old Soviet-style tank, enemy soldiers or a terrorist.

"We design our control devices to go on light rails, like small railroads, and it will move a tank target or a small-truck-type target," Imam said. "The truck targets are like something a team of soldiers would face at a checkpoint today."

Imam said the control devices are able to move the truck, simulate a response to a soldier's challenge for identification "and then go on from there. He would have to make the decision to shoot or let it pass."

Lockheed is developing new training tools at its Huntsville operations, Imam said, "that will be more realistic. We are looking at building a village that uses animatronic devices that move simulated people. These can ask questions and challenge soldiers as to whether they are true targets or just neutral people."

Imam said about 110 people work at the South Memorial Parkway facility on both the pop-up targets and assorted Navy ship refurbishment programs.

Ellie