The Spider Increment 1A is a command-activated munitions system intended for small unit force protection. It is designed as a networked system that incorporates sensors, communications and a combination of both lethal and non-lethal munitions.
Spider incorporates self-destructing and self-deactivating technologies to reduce the residual risk to non-combatants. It can employ six munitions per unit; giving it the ability to protect a larger area and allows for selective engagement.
The Army will use Spider as a landmine alternative in order to satisfy requirements outlined in the 2004 National Landmine Policy.
“It’s basically a way for us to control the rate of fire, as well as where we want to emplace those claymores,” said a platoon leader with the 1st AD. “For example, right now I can set off claymores one, three and five; and then employ two, four and six – instead of them all going off at once.”
The incorporation of a communication and monitoring network keeps Soldiers in the field connected with a command element, insuring appropriate and proportional ordinance deployment.
“I’ll have an engineer attached to me with a monitoring system, and he’s able to employ those specific numbers whenever I tell him,” added the platoon leader with the 1st AD. “It really helps me due to the fact that if one, three and five don’t get the enemy right away, I have that ability to deploy two, four and six.”
Multiple Spider munition control units (MCUs) can be placed throughout a given area. The MCUs can then be loaded into a remote control unit (RCU), allowing the operator to monitor and ‘fight the field’ from a distant location.
Giving Soldiers every possible advantage on the battlefield is the primary focus when it comes to the Army’s modernization effort. The Spider one of seven network and non-network systems being tested or evaluated throughout NIE 16.2.
Nowhere in the Army is there a larger operation exercise that tests and evaluates systems and capabilities. NIEs serve as the principal driver of change in the Army.
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.12.2016 20:25 |
| Story ID: | 197974 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 96 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Defending the force: Iron Soldiers evaluate latest version of Spider, by SFC Jarred Woods, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
