REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama -- The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, or TRADOC, capabilities integrator learned how the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command is continuing its efforts to design the future space and missile defense force, develop tomorrow's leaders and train Soldiers to perform space and missile defense operations.
Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, director, Army Capabilities Integration Center, or ARCIC, and deputy commanding general, Futures, TRADOC, discussed how USASMDC/ARSTRAT's science and technology efforts are leading the Army when he visited the command Dec. 2.
"The visit was great, and it was a tremendous opportunity for me to learn more about what SMDC is doing to make sure that our Army doesn't have fair fights in the future," McMaster said. "SMDC is critical in giving us an advantage over enemies today and in the future. What is critical is that Army understands how to integrate the capabilities SMDC is developing in space and through their research in missile defense.
"We want to integrate that into our force so we can fight and win," he added.
SMDC leaders explained how the command's space and missile defense professionals are providing trained and ready space and missile defense forces for Army, joint Warfighters and international missions. McMaster was also shown how SMDC is the architect of Army space, high altitude, and missile defense capabilities while designing future space and missile defense forces, developing leaders and training Soldiers in the current force.
McMaster was briefed about the Future Warfare Center's objectives of improving force development process; building operational architectures; validating science and technology; facilitating better technology transfer; and optimizing coordination with ARCIC.
"The main objective today was to give him a much better idea of what we do in the space arena," said James Johnson, SMDC Future Warfare Center director. "We showed him some of our concepts we have in development and our science and technology initiatives. It was a fantastic visit. I think all of our objectives were met and he seemed to be really impressed with some of the capabilities we bring to bear."
Johnson talked about how crucial it is to accomplishing this and continuing to expand the partnerships with TRADOC.
"We do quite a bit in the concept development arena," Johnson said. "They have an initiative called, '2025 and beyond' with several Army warfighting challenges that TRADOC has identified and SMDC has a leading role in three of them. We work together on a regular basis and usually meet with him and his staff about once a month."
McMaster also learned more about SMDC's Technical Center and how it researches, develops, tests and integrates capabilities for materiel solutions in tactical space, high-altitude, missile defense, cyberspace, directed energy and other related areas of technology.
"We want to make sure that we, as a materiel developer for space and missile defense technologies, are synchronized with the Army's requirements and Army warfighting challenges," said William Colson, Tech Center director. "So it is very important for these types of visits so we can discuss that and ensure that we are aligned and synchronized."
During a science and technology discussion, McMaster was informed on SMDC's current and future space capabilities to enable mission command and protect U.S. interests in all domains.
"We talked about some of the efforts we are doing within the Tech Center, specifically on small satellites and directed energy," said Tom Webber, director, SMDC Space and Strategic Systems Directorate. "We wanted to let Lt. Gen. McMaster know what we are doing here at SMDC since he had not been here before.
"We briefed him on small satellites and the capability they can deliver to the Army," he added. "It was very worthwhile and I am glad he was able to visit. It is very important that we fully integrate with ARCIC and TRADOC as to what we can help provide and deliver to fill capability gaps for the Warfighter."
McMaster and his team visited SMDC's Concepts Analysis Laboratory where they learned how the command trains college students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines and newly hired engineers and scientists.
They were then given a Space Kits demonstration by the SMDC G-31 Training and Exercise Division and a tour of the CAL before visiting the High Energy Laser Mobile Test Truck, or HEL MTT. The team learned how in the future, HEL MTT will use directed energy against rockets, artillery, and mortars; unmanned aerial vehicles; and cruise missiles to protect Soldiers on the battlefield.
"The biggest thing I am going to take away from this visit is just how much collaboration occurs for improving capabilities for our force," said ARCIC Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Travers. "I have never been to SMDC before, and I learned a lot about what we can do and what capabilities our Soldiers have to provide missile defense. Most importantly, I learned how SMDC, as an organization, is reaching out and helping train the force to overcome challenges on the battlefield and complete their mission.
"What a great team SMDC has here," he added. "I want to thank SMDC for all they do for the Soldiers."
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