Digital Range Training Systems (DRTS)

The Instrumented Range is a live, virtual and constructive gunnery and tactical complex. It allows for individual, crew, platoon and Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercises (CALFEX) that incorporates digital information systems. DRTS provides the infrastructure for Abrams, Bradley and Stryker live-fire gunnery qualifications. Beginning in Fiscal Year 2011, Apache gunnery will be conducted as well. Instrumented ranges support Live-Fire Exercises (LFXs) for individual and crew-served weapon skill qualification and sustainment, for collective training events at local training areas, for combat training centers and in tactical force projection environments. Range Operations (ROPS) personnel use the results of training exercise plans to prepare DRTS for exercise execution. During exercise execution, ROPS personnel use new- generation range sub-systems to provide realistic friendly, neutral and threat simulators to collect audio, video and digital training data. After exercise execution, DRTS sub-systems support training data analysis, preparation, presentation and feedback for After Action Review (AAR). The DRTS will be an evolutionary system-of-systems, rather than a revolutionary end state. As training requirements and technology mature out of the spiral development process, this may become the basis for controlling future enhancements and integration requirements.