US Army tests precision targeting system

The US Army is testing the Joint Effects Targeting System Target Laser Designation System (JETS-TLDS) at the Cold Regions Test Center in Alaska, the US Army announced on 15 March.

The JETS-TLDS is a modular advanced sensor suite of three components including a hand-held target location module, precision azimuth and vertical angle module, and laser marker module (LMM).

The system is being tested in a range of operations including using the infrared imager and colour day imager to detect, recognise and identify vehicles and personnel at various distances to determine whether they are friend or foe. The system was also used in a simulated urban environment, where soldiers cleared multiple buildings and occupied rooftops and rooms to observe opposing forces in the city.

The LMM was also used to mark targets for a live-fire with an AH-64 Apache from 1st Battalion, 25th Infantry Division Attack Reconnaissance Battalion.

The system's ability to determine target location has also been tested. Following the acqusition and location of targets using the JETS-TLD, soldiers used the Precision Fires-Dismounted, which is an application used on NET Warrior by fire supporters to digitally transmit fire missions, to develop a fire mission and send it to a simulated company fire support team.

Pfc. Anthony Greenwood of Battery D, 2-8 FA, said: 'With the push that the army is making for all Fire Support Specialists to become Joint Fires Observers, the LMM provides a tool at the platoon level that allows us to designate and mark targets for aircraft. Its light weight makes it easy to take it out on a mission and utilise it to its fullest capability.'

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