Soldiers train with Mounted Soldier System

Photo By Michael Armstrong | Soldiers assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division prepare their Mounted Soldier System equipment during the Network Integration Evaluation in White Sands Missile Range, N.M., June 21, 2011. The MSS consists of a Heads-up Display, Cordless Communications, Microclimate Cooling and force protection items.  

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NM, UNITED STATES

06.23.2011

Story by Spc. Sinthia Rosario 

24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

Soldiers assigned to 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, trained with the Mounted Soldier System during the Network Integration Evaluation, June 21, in White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

“The MSS is a piece of gear that we’re testing out now for the Army for these four weeks,” said 1st Lt. Zachary Long, 1st platoon leader, Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment. This can replace or enhance the radio system that the Bradley already has. It has a micro viewer that you can use to view through your gunner site through the commander’s independent viewer, and you can use it to view the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) with out dropping down to the hatch.”

“The viewer allows you to stand up in the turret and view where the gunner is looking, before you would have to sit down into the seat,” said Long. “This will also save you a couple of seconds.”

“Video input is amazing,” said Pfc. John Huber, a tank loader with Company C, 1st Bn., 6th Inf. Regt. “I like the micro viewer, while the gunner is scanning, I can sit outside the hatch and if he see’s something that’s far away that I can’t see, I look through the micro viewer and I can see exactly what he’s looking at.”

“We’ve worked with the MSS the for last 18 missions,” said Staff Sgt. David R. Howard, vehicle commander with Company C, 1st Bn., 6th Inf. Regt. “We’ve had time to find the kinks on the equipment and utilize it the proper way. You can utilize this on the ground and it enhances your situational awareness.”

The communication system on the MSS provides wireless communication to interface with the vehicle communications system. It allows the crew to communicate by voice over the platform’s intercom system, whether mounted or dismounted, within 300 meters of their platform. The MSS also helps during ground guiding operations. When the soldiers ground guide vehicles they don’t have to use arm signals. They can use the radio to communicate with the driver.

According to the soldiers, the most appreciated equipment the MSS offers is the Microclimate Cooling vest.

“Being the driver and you have the hatch closed it gets really hot in there,” said Pfc. Jose M. Velasquez a driver with Co. C, 1st Bn., 6th Inf. Regt. “The cooling vest actually helps keep your body cooler.”

“The cooling vests pumps coolant inside the MSS underneath the armor. This allows the soldiers core temperature to be reduced to extend the soldiers endurance making them comfortable,” said Long. “Most importantly, the Bradley will typically be 10-20 degrees hotter than the air outside, this is something we really need, someway to cool yourself down.”

• Date Taken: 06.23.2011
• Date Posted: 06.23.2011 16:28
• Story ID: 72628
• Location: WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NM, US