Photo By Darrin McDufford | U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, Pfc. Christopher Dizmang, 364th Engineer Battalion...... read more read more
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. – Army Reserve engineer Soldiers trained on a munitions system for the first time, designed to replace mines, reduce personal hazards and maintain the element of surprise.
A total of 18 Soldiers trained on the system, known as the M7 Spider Networked Munitions System. It has been in use by active Army units for more than 10 years, but is now being implemented into Army Reserve combat engineer units.
The Spider system has the ability to deter the enemy in battle and serves as an early warning system.
The Spider uses a global positioning system as an enabled warning device.
“This is similar to GPS we have used before,” said Spc. Lucas Musich, 402nd Engineer Company (Sapper). “It’s pretty easy to use, view potential threats and eliminate them.”
It uses both old and new technology to improve on tactics and combat efficiency.
“The system is deployed to keep track of the components and uses the (M18) claymore mine as an integral deterrent,” said Mike Hendrix, instructor for the M7 Spider Networked Munitions System.
The Spider can detect intruders and allows for the operator to monitor, control and initiate aggressive actions. It’s designed as a deterrent as well as defensive and offensive weapon.
“This is an amazing tool. It is the next generation weapon system. This is new stuff for the Army Reserve,” said 1st Lt. Dakota Koolmees, with the 364th Engineer Company (Sapper) and class leader.
The system uses up to six grenades and M18 Claymore anti-personnel mines to defeat the enemy. The Spider Munitions is part of base defense and serves to protect travel routes.
“The effects and coverage of the system prevents harassing small arms fire by keeping the enemy at bay,” said Hendrix. “Spider is limited to the imagination of the user. It is flexible.”
Soldiers can use the system with layered effects during ambushes, to defend operating bases and deny terrain to keep the enemy from accessing certain areas.
“I’m excited to train on the Spider,” said Koolmees. “This system has mobility, counter operations, prevention of field breaches. It is a great maneuver enhancement element. Its uses are endless.”
The system has an operational distance of up to 1,000 meters, giving Soldiers a safe distance from the enemy. It allows for early warning by setting up trip wires, enabling better security.
“The Spider munitions system is a force multiplier. It requires only one person to operate,” said Snell. “The intent is to get away from dumb munitions and replace mines with human operational ones.”
This leads to advantage in the battlefield with fewer Soldiers becoming casualties of negligent or accidental mine explosions. It also prevents mine proliferation, a term used to describe when there are too many mines in a certain area of battlefield.
These are the first three Army Reserve units to get trained on this weapon munitions system.
“It’s refreshing to see the Army Reserve engineers get such great (technology),” said Koolmees.
The event culminated in a live-fire exercise allowing the Soldiers an opportunity to get experience in firing the Spider munitions system.
“Our live fire range went well. It gave our Soldiers the opportunity to emplace and fire a live Spider munitions in the field. By the end of our training all of the Soldiers in attendance left prepared to go back to their units as Spider trainers,” said Koolmees.
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.02.2015 15:25 |
| Story ID: | 164908 |
| Location: | FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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