Manned Unmanned Teaming effective in alleviating the burden of battle

Photo By Sgt. Aura Conejos | Infantrymen with Company B., 4th Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, program the mounted .50-cal on the Protector during initial training, Aug. 25, 2015, on Fort Bliss, Texas. The MUM-T training was part of a collaboration between 2/1 Soldiers and civilian contractors to test equipment prior to Network Integration Exercise 16.1. (Photo by Spc. Aura E. Sklenicka, 2/1 ABCT PAO)  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

10.08.2015

Story by Spc. Aura Conejos 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

FORT BLISS, Texas - A Soldier is required to carry gear, their weapon, communicate with their team and maneuver during patrols, all while remaining alert and agile to be in a combat situation at any moment.

The Soldiers of Company B, 4th Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment and 40th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, had the opportunity to train with Manned Unmanned Teaming equipment to test multiple system capabilities.

Communication is a key component in reducing battlefield mishaps.

The Nett Warrior navigation system is clearly helpful to Soldiers’ mission.

“If it wasn’t for the Nett Warrior, we could be lost easily in the dunes,” Sgt. 1st Class Paul Salazar, platoon sergeant, Company B, 4th Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, who controlled the MUTT during initial training, Aug. 25 on Fort Bliss, Texas.

The MUTT allows additional gear and ammunition to be loaded, reducing the overload and extra strain on a Soldier during a foot patrol. When a .50 cal is mounted atop the machine, it provides tremendously effective, as it only requires being sighted through the controller and then ready to execute fire.

Salazar noted the only difficulty was multitasking during the patrol.

“It’s very easy to halt, reference and walk in on the objective,” said Salazar. “It’s not as easy having one hand maneuvering while maintaining the ready position with my weapon.”

Pfc. Marcus Secore, infantrymen with Company B, 4-17 IN, 2/1, explains the basics of the Protector with .50 cal mount.

The large remote, similar to that of a gaming controller, has a viewing screen with the ability to zoom, angle and reposition the mounted weapon system. The trigger is discreet, either being on the remote or an attachment to the Soldier’s rifle.

This allows engagement without exposing their position, as the operator of the weapon system and driver of the SMET can get behind cover while engaging their target.

Secore notes how quiet the machines are, even with generators running, the noise emitted will not give away their position in hostile environment.

In the first week of trials, the Soldiers tested the machine’s ability to maneuver over a variety of terrain. It proved successful in maintaining balance even in a rough terrain, while pulling a trailer of additional gear.

Secore said he and the driver were able to communicate and engage even being approximately 200 meters from the machines.

The platoon was given classes on the basics of the machines and moved up to hands-on work before moving to the application training in the field.

“I want to see how well I can engage the enemy with this,” said Secore on what he has looked forward to the most during the training-it’s effectiveness.

• Date Taken: 10.08.2015
• Date Posted: 11.05.2015 17:30
• Story ID: 181070
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US