US Army tests Spider networked munition system
The US Army’s 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is testing an upgrade to the Spider munition system used to defend perimeters and support offensive ambushes and situational obstacles.
The Spider Increment 1A networked munition system is being tested at Ft Campbell, Kentucky, to assess how effective, suitable and survivable Spider will be during real-world operations.
The Spider networked munition provides the same munition field effectiveness as antipersonnel landmines, but without the residual life threatening risks after hostilities end or troops withdraw. Each munition is controlled by a man in the loop, allowing for more precise lethal or non-lethal responses. It uses a remote control station to monitor the system, while controlling every munition system networked to it. It can be safely and rapidly deployed and recovered, and allows the safe passage of friendly forces. It also eliminates the possibility of an unintended detonation through early warning and selective engagement.
By the end of the test, the units will have employed the Spider Increment 1A network munition system during defensive and offensive force-on-force engagements each day for 16 straight days of tough, realistic training in the highly vegetative environment of Fort Campbell.
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