FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (Army News Service, Jan. 8, 2013) -- A new "location of miss and hit" electronic shot detection and location system recently passed its government acceptance test.
The location of miss and hit, or LOMAH, system tracks rounds fired on or near targets to support basic rifle marksmanship training strategies. The new system improves rifle range efficiency, increases training effectiveness, and saves time for commanders and Soldiers.
The LOMAH uses acoustic sensors to detect hits or misses on or within a two-meter radius of a target. Then sensors at the target emplacement relay the results to an Android-based tablet at the firing point. LOMAH automatically triangulates the shot group to provide the shooter with corrective data.
"LOMAH will provide immediate feedback to Soldiers to help them improve their shooting skills," said Matt Golden, Targetry Development team chief of TCM-Live at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
During the government acceptance test, or GAT, held at both Fort Benning, Ga., and Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., the system successfully detected hits and misses for targets at 75 meters, 175 meters and 300 meters.
At Fort Benning, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 81st Armor Regiment, provided support during all phases of testing and was instrumental in its success. The company is also the sponsor for the range and will continue to be actively involved with the LOMAH system as the range cadre.
The LOMAH system is designed for both the M16 rifle and the M4 carbine with iron sights, back-up iron sights, close-combat optic, or advanced combat optical gun sights. It can be used for basic rifle marksmanship and advanced rifle marksmanship.
The test also demonstrated how LOMAH makes rifle ranges more efficient. An active-duty platoon from Charlie Troop, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division took part in the LOMAH GAT at Fort Benning.
The platoon used the LOMAH range to conduct three marksmanship tasks on one range. Tasks included:
-- grouping and zeroing (at distance)
-- practicing qualification and qualification versus using three different ranges to complete the task of zeroing (at 25 meters)
-- confirming zero at distance (normally conducted on known-distance range) and qualifying
All tasks were accomplished using standard qualification targets.
"LOMAH will save time by allowing Soldiers to qualify more quickly," said Golden.
As an example, it would take a unit three days and three ranges to zero at 25 meters, confirm zero on the known-distance range, and qualify on an automated record fire range or modified record fire range.
The LOMAH system embedded on a qualification range will allow all three tasks to be completed on one range. Soldiers move more quickly through the tasks because each lane is run independently and shooters can progress to the next task. The LOMAH range has no need for a detail to raise and lower targets to show shooters their performance as currently required on KD ranges.
The new LOMAH system will be added to Fort Jackson, S.C. this fiscal year.
The program is overseen by TRADOC Capability Manager-Live, which is the Army agent for the Sustainable Range Program and other programs. The materiel developer for LOMAH is the Project Manager for Training Devices, an organization of the Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation.
TCM-Live is a subordinate organization of the Combined Arms Center -- Training, Fort Leavenworth. CAC-T manages Army training support and training development, and provides training and leader development programs and products to support Army readiness.
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