N251-054 TITLE: Rifleman-Assisted Instructional Device (RAID)

OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sustainment

OBJECTIVE: Develop a fieldable, small arms/weapon mounted device (e.g., M27, M4, M18) and associated software application that detects and provides individual and group level feedback regarding marksmanship performance during dry- and live-fire training.

DESCRIPTION: Dry-fire weapon simulators provide safe mechanisms in which service members can practice weapon handling and marksmanship fundamentals [Refs 1-2]. However, these systems are large, obtrusive, require maintenance, and support personnel to operate. A simplified, more scalable platform is needed to provide the capability to conduct weapons training in resource constrained environments or at larger scale. The development and employment of a modular and scalable weapon mounted sensor/device that can track and provide feedback about weapon handling and marksmanship fundamentals would greatly enhance training time dedicated to small arms proficiency. Anecdotal reports from Marine Corps commands indicate that using a commercial product designed for individual shooters may reduce training resources (e.g., time and ammunition) required to make Marine recruits into proficient shooters [Ref 3]. Dry-fire training is a fundamental component of the Marine Corps revamped marksmanship training programs, such as Infantry Marksmanship Training Program (IMTP), and supporting these programs will lead to a more lethal force. However, the current devices used are missing key components to support training doctrine, such as: military focused design, group level training, and after-action review at aggregate level.

The objective of this SBIR topic is to develop a device for use with Marine Corps issued small-arms (i.e., M4, M27, M18) that can capture data during dry-fire marksmanship training (and live-fire) at the individual and aggregate level. The software product should provide group reporting and accountability, create powerful data dashboards for training cadre to review, and provide immediate, comprehensive, and specific answers regarding marksmanship capability – based on the data captured by the device. The device should allow for group monitoring by an individual instructor or cadre for up to 20 shooters at the same time, where the instructor can also create specific drills, and user-defined performance parameters associated with those drills. The device and associated software should maintain historical records, provide comparisons, and add group-level features that drive competition, competency, and capability improvement.

The weapon mounted device sensor (WMDS) prototypes should be developed to be employed via picatinny attachment, modified magazine/bolt, or other novel means so as to not encumber upon normal and safe weapon handling. The prototypes should not significantly add or reduce the felt weight of the weapon, nor should they interfere with normal weapon functions, such as holstering. The WMDS should be rated to IPX7 water resistance and store at least 150 minutes of training data. The WMDS should connect wirelessly in real-time, or post-hoc in event of transmission loss, to a smartphone or tablet device, that houses the associated software, which provides the analysis, data aggregation, data display, and controls the training sessions. The software application should have a readily understandable user-interface (UI) which allows users to navigate to the training or analyses dashboards with ease and maintains a search function to find historical data.

PHASE I: Define and develop a plan for the design, development, and fabrication of a small arms weapon (i.e., M27, M4, M18) mounted device with integrated sensors, and a corresponding software application, that can capture weapon handling fundamentals and small arms dry-fire training performance. The device should be capable of transmitting data wirelessly to a tablet that contains software application that interprets real-time dry-fire and weapons handling performance at both the individual and group level. The WMDS should be ruggedized to handle regular training use in military settings and should be rated to IPX7 water resistance. The proof-of-concept hardware device should be able to transmit data wirelessly, in real-time and store up to 150 minutes of training data when out of range of transmission. Multiple devices (n=20) should be able to connect wirelessly to a single tablet with the program’s software application so that an instructor can view multiple users simultaneously. Phase I will result in a proof-of-concept for testing and refinement in Phase II. The deliverables for the Phase I are to include, but are not limited to, conceptual development of the WMDS and detailed plans for the software application to perform the data capture, aggregation, analyses, display, and storage. In addition, the Phase I will deliver a defined plan to improve any existing capabilities to support disconnected military relevant environments.

PHASE II: Focus on prototype development and refinement of at least 150 devices of the proof-of-concept small arms WMDS conceptualized in Phase I; along with a software prototype. The prototypes will be demonstrated in a military relevant environment in Phase II. Additionally, the WMDS should be capable of storing at least 150 minutes of training data onboard the device should wireless signals be interrupted or unable to be established during a training session. During normal use, the WMDS should transmit data wirelessly to a smartphone or tablet with a preloaded software application that will store the data locally on the smartphone or tablet and can also analyze and interpret the data for user and instructor feedback. The WMDS should use accelerometry or other means to determine actions taken by the user such as, but not limited to: reloading, accuracy, and trigger press. A detailed definition of the device requirements will be provided to the firm(s) selected for Phase II award. The Phase II awardee should also provide a detailed plan that will occur for testing and evaluation (to include data type, frequency, and structure).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Further refine the products developed in Phase II to include adding more automated processes for data analyses for Marine Corps end-users. Phase III will focus on integrating the finalized products into current and future training programs, such as IMTP, under USMC TECOM, as well as expand out to active-duty operational units to maintain small arms weapon handling and performance during time in the fleet. The Phase III effort should lay out a plan for longitudinal evaluation of their Phase II product in a real-world training environment. This evaluation will consist of a comparison of the performance and skill retention in Marines provided the training tool and those not. In Phase III performers shall outline the ability to mass produce, support, and service the developed wearable devices. The small business should also aim to leverage the products developed under this SBIR effort for commercialization to federal and local law-enforcement agencies, as well as the civilian market.

REFERENCES:

1. Jensen, T., & Kennedy, Q. (2012). A naval marksmanship training transfer study the use of indoor simulated marksmanship trainers to train for live fire. Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School. (https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/36700447.pdf)

2. Tate, D. A. (2019). SUFFICIENCY OF NAVY HANDGUN TRAINING FOR FORCE PROTECTION WATCHSTANDERS (Doctoral dissertation, Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School). (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/SUFFICIENCY_OF_NAVY_HANDGUN_TRAINING_FOR_FORCE_PROTECTION_WATCHSTANDERS_%28IA_sufficiencyofnav1094563510%29.pdf)

3. Fuentes, G. (2024, Mar 13). Marines Want More Expert Riflemen as Part of Marksmanship Revamp. USNI News. (https://news.usni.org/2024/03/13/marines-want-more-expert-rifleman-as-part-of-marksmanship-revamp)

KEYWORDS: Lethality, Dry-Fire, Live-Fire, Marksmanship, Human Performance, Shooting, Small-arms

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