94th RSC Adds State-of-the-Art Laser Technology to the Range

Some of the best shots in the US Army just got better with the help of a new high tech system designed to improve marksmanship skills.

Soldiers of the 941 Regional Support Command tested the Laser Marksmanship Training System (LMTS) during the RSC's annual Commander's Cup marksmanship competition - a three day event held mid-September at the Devens Reserve Forces Training Area, Devens, Mass.

According to Sgt. 1st Class Scott Anzivino, the soldiers used to test the device were not your ordinary marksmen.

"These soldiers are all in competition for the Commander's Cup and, as such, represent the best shots from units around New England," said Anzivino, the non-commissioned officer-in-charge (NCOIC) of this year's challenge "Winners of the competition advance to the All-Army Championship with hopes of continuing on to the interservice championship at Quantico, Virginia, next July and finally the National Competition to represent the US around the world."

The use of the LMTS represented the first time the device was tested by any RSC in the nation. Commanders wanted to judge the results of the device on soldiers who were already

experts with their weapons to eliminate errors caused by inexperience

MPRI of Maryland, developed a diagnostic system to identify marksmanship problems. The first component of the system is a laser calibrated to the weapon to ensure every good sight picture will result in a hit. The laser transmitter, which looks like a meat thermometer weighs about four ounces and locks firmly into the barrel. There's also a smaller tube for the M-9 pistol, according to Master Sgt. David Quinny of A Company, 2/ 385 Inf. Regt.

The targets are the second system component and can be set up in any 25 meter area. The targets for the laser begin with a six inch disk that the shooter acquires with a continuous beam. This enables a shooter to see exactly where his round will hit at any time-during his aiming sequence.

After the shooter is comfortable with his sight picture, the beam is switched to fire mode. The targets are changed to silhouettes simulating distances of 300, 450 and 600 meters.

To add realism to the LMTS range, a modified M-16 upper receiver, called the Blazer, can be used. The Blazer takes a special cartridge that gives 90 percent of the recoil and 50 percent of the sound of an M-16. It is also OSHA approved for indoor use.

All targets are linked to a laptop computer. Up to ten targets can be observed on the screen or shown individually for greater detail. There is no limit to the amount of laptops or soldiers who can fire at one time. During the 941th's test, sixty soldiers were broken down into two firing orders. Among them was SPC. Carl Pilgrim, of the 94th RSC, who was looking forward to trying out the LMTS.

"I'm pretty familiar with ranges but I think this will definitely help out soldiers who don't get the chance to fire much," said Pilgrim. "There is a huge benefit with squaring someone away before they get to the range."

"This is an excellent way to get soldiers properly zeroed before they get to the range," agreed Spc. Ray McElroy of the 4111 Quartermaster battalion. "It'll save on rounds but more importantly, you don't tie up a whole company waiting on just a few problem shooters to zero."

-- Posted on Saturday, September 18 2004