Marine Corps Sets Sights on Developing Force-on-Force Training Systems-Next

Col. Luis Lara, the Marine Corps Systems Command’s program manager for training systems, has made developing Force-on-Force Training Systems-Next one of his top priorities.

The Marine Corps awarded the $128 million, single-award FoFTS-Next contract in June to Swedish aerospace and defense company Saab.

According to the Marine Corps, the new capability will immerse trainees in realistic, scenario-based, simulated environments against live, role-playing opponents, National Defense Magazine reported.

Competing Marines undergoing training with the FoFTS-Next system will wear vests and harnesses fitted with sensors and transmitters that link to weapons loaded with laser-emitting blank ammunition, Lara told National Defense Magazine during the National Training and Simulation Association’s Training and Simulation Industry Symposium.

During practice sessions, officials overseeing the training can evaluate the data gathered, such as individual and unit performance metrics, to determine areas of improvement.

The new training platform is being deployed as a replacement for the Instrumentation and Tactical Engagement Simulation System. The service is retiring ITESS due to its inability to support large-scale exercises.

FoFTS-Next system deployments are scheduled for 2023 to 2026 at bases in California, North Carolina, Hawaii, Virginia, Japan and Guam.

The FoFTS-Next contract is part of an enterprise-wide effort to upgrade USMC training systems for improved warfighter readiness.

Lt. Col. Jon Mohler, product manager for range training systems at the office of the program manager for training systems, added that MCSC is investing in upgrades for automated scoring systems used in grading trainees’ performance in hitting ground and air-to-ground targets.

The service also wants to develop training environments that would eliminate the need for role players required in infantry immersion trainers, Mohler said.

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