FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Army News Service, May 28, 2008) - As Land Warrior
reaches its first anniversary in combat, the Army is seeking to equip
an entire brigade combat team with the high-tech system which increases
mission speed and effectiveness and decreases risks to the warfighter.
The Army has approved an Operational Needs Statement to field the Land
Warrior system to the 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry
Division, in 2009.
During the past year, Soldiers with the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry
Regiment have faced the challenges of asymmetric warfare in Iraq using
Land Warrior, and the battalion's success has prompted others to ask
for the system. The 4-9 Infantry is part of the 4th Stryker Brigade
Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash.
"A platoon that has Land Warrior can cover a lot more ground a lot
faster," said Staff Sgt. James Young, a weapons squad leader with Alpha
Company, 4-9 Inf.
Land Warrior is a modular fighting system that uses state-of-the-art
computer, communications, and global positioning technologies to
digitally link Soldiers on the battlefield. The system is integrated
with the Soldier's body armor and has a helmet-mounted display.
"The system gives four distinct advantages that other Soldiers do not
have," explained Command Sgt. Maj. Phil Pich, who recently returned
from Iraq.
"It gives you situational awareness, which allows you to see all blue
(friendly) forces that are in your area of operations. It gives you
maps and imagery. It also allows the leaders to change graphics while
on the move. And it gives us voice and text messaging capabilities," he
said.
Soldiers wearing the Land Warrior system can easily access detailed
maps, execution checklists, and other mission-essential information
stored by the system. The system can store more than 600 images
including photographs of targets, locations, etc.
The Soldier views the maps and imagery through the helmet-mounted
display, which is pulled down over one eye when needed. Each Soldier
wearing the system is represented by an icon on the map. Using
drop-down menus, team leaders and commanders can place virtual icons,
or virtual "chem lights" onto a map identifying known enemy locations
or other essential information.
The system allows leaders to quickly relay information in the middle of
a mission. During a recent raid in Taji, Iraq, Soldiers came across a
large canal.
"With that obstacle, typically you'll have your entire platoon stagnant
in a security hold," explained Pich. "Here they were able to find a
crossing point, mark it with a virtual chem light, and then continue
moving right into the assault."
Pich, who has served five previous combat tours, said Land Warrior also
helps prevent fratricide because it allows Soldiers to see the location
of their buddies. "The leader on the support-by-fire is able to see his
front line trace of the other element that's moving."
Cpt.
J. Dow Covey and Staff Sgt. Justin Evaristo, both assigned to 4th
Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, move around the
corner of a building to secure its perimeter for the Mobile Civil
Military Operations Center in Mushahidah, Iraq (2007). Photo by Program Executive Office Soldier
Source and credits : http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/05/28/9450-army-to-equip-brigade-with-land-warrior/
|
