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Device designed to enhance small-unit leaders' communication and battle planning could enter fleet by October
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 200421916118
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Matt Hevezi
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(Feb. 19, 2004) -- Small-unit infantry leaders who must serve on the digital battlefield are poised to take what observers say will be a huge leap forward in battlefield communications and navigation technology when they begin receiving and using a palm-pilot-like device called the Dismounted Data Automated Communications Terminal.
Built to withstand the most rugged of field conditions, the device -- which could start entering the fleet as early as October -- weighs just 31 ounces and is designed to perform key field communications functions Marines say they want and need.
Moreover, it interfaces with a global positioning system to provide real-time reports on troop and threat locations to higher commands and other units.
Eighteen Camp Pendleton Marines from the 5th Marine Regiment worked with Marine Corps Systems Command and D-DACT engineers here Jan. 23- Feb. 6 on final testing to ensure the device performs as promised in the field, said Francis Stepanski, a D-DACT support engineer and former Marine who now works with Titan Corporation in Stafford, Va.
Stepanski said if D-DACT passes final tests and is approved for purchase, initial distribution of 561 devices to Marines at I Marine Expeditionary Force may begin as soon as October. Other combat units throughout the Corps also will receive distribution of D-DACT devices, Stepanski said.
The device is a handheld green pocket computer that will primarily be used by small-unit leaders such as platoon and company commanders to provide huge advances in battlefield communications functions, Marine and company sources said. Loaded with a GPS receiver and a tactical radio interface, the device will allow users to instantly send and share important tactical information between higher commands and other battlefield users connected to the device's communication network. Marines testing the device report they especially like its digital navigation capabilities and ability to function as a field text messaging “chat” machine, said Capt. Shawn Davis, the D-DACT project officer assigned to MarCorSysCom. Two or more platoon leaders moving through enemy territory can talk to one another by typing and sending information about their progress or generating reports on discovery of minefields, challenging terrain conditions or even enemy positions that endanger units on the move.
Cpl. Ryan Hamilton, one of the Marines selected to help test the device, says a key feature is sharing of information between small-unit leaders and commanders at the battalion and regimental level.
“If you find a minefield, you can mark it on the D-DACT and send the information to everyone else. Everybody sees the report at the same time,” said Hamilton, who is assigned to 5th Marine Regiment. “It has all the combat reports stored, so if one of the leaders gets taken out, a PFC or a lance corporal could pick it up and just fill in the blanks.”
Although the new tool is loaded with capabilities, Stepanski said many Marines are skeptical at first, fearing another force-fed piece of equipment that will weigh down the pack on their shoulders.
“By the end of the first day after seeing what this can do, there is a complete reversal,” Davis said of reactions from Marines who spent time with him field-testing the device near Camp Talega.
“Once they see what it can do, they want it in their pack,” said Steven Woods, a D-DACT project engineer and former Marine who now works for SPAWAR in North Charleston, S.C.
“I'm pretty-old fashioned and was a little leery at first,” said Cpl. Justin Reaves, another D-DACT tester from 5th Marine Regiment. “I learned to do everything over the radio. When they told me I would be able to do it all on a computer, I was a little skeptical. But it is pretty accurate.”
Even though Reaves said he believes the Corps should equip Marines with the device, he said one drawback is the time it takes to confirm transmitted information.
“Sometimes it takes five to 10 minutes to get confirmation that a message has been received,” Reaves said. “If you need a medivac or call-for-fire, you are going to need something faster.”
For battalion or regimental commanders who must orchestrate and manage the complex, ever-changing movement of troops, equipment and plans during the heat of battle, the device provides instant, GPS-accurate digital reports from subordinate units on positions and movement. Commanders refer to such feedback as “situational awareness.”
Such timely information is considered crucial to commanders’ battlefield decision-making process. Previous reporting methods involved voice transmission via crowded tactical radio channels and a chain of relay points that sometimes costs precious time and accuracy.
“Accuracy of information is important to building situational awareness,” said Maj. J.D. Harrill, a battalion operations officer assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.
Units equipped with the device can continually update their positions and report on enemy positions, capabilities and numbers. D-DACT also functions as a digital mapping device. Users can load, store and display military maps in a variety of formats and sizes, including 1:1,000,000 through 1:25,000 scales.
Battlefield plans using arrows and symbols can be digitally sketched on the small screen that can zoom in and out over map terrain. The sketched plans, often referred to by infantry leaders as overlays, can be digitally transmitted to other users.
Designers say once fielded, the device will not replace the traditional hard copy map and compass used today. But it will be a tremendous high-tech addition to these tools and help Marines perform better on the modern battlefield, they say.-30- |
