Adjusting [Simulated] Fire: MCBH mortar simulator receives upgrade.

Photo By Cpl. Chandler Stacy | Upgraded M252 81mm mortar training systems are display at the Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainers, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 25, 2023. Upgrades to the mortar ISMT will enhance simulated training by reducing firing errors and increasing the realism of the user's input to provide ultra-realistic feedback. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chandler Stacy)  

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

09.29.2023

Story by Cpl. Chandler Stacy 

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Marine Corps Base Hawaii’s Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer (ISMT) enables Marines across the installation to maintain skills and proficiency with a variety of weapons systems without firing live ammunition. The ISMT is an interactive audio/visual weapons simulator that provides basic and enhanced marksmanship training, weapons employment training, and tactical decision making for a variety of small arms and crew served weapons. Recently, mortarmen assigned to 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, stationed at MCBH conducted training using the newly upgraded M252 81mm mortar ISMT.

Upgrades to the mortar ISMT enhance the value of simulated training by reducing firing errors and increasing the realism of the user’s inputs to provide ultra-realistic feedback.

“The upgrade we just got solved a lot of issues the legacy system [old ISMT] had," said Marcellus Gilmer, the training systems liaison officer from Marine Corps Systems Command. “We upgraded the foot pads with these new anti-skid plates that allow the mortarman to adjust fires, we upgraded the base plate for a more snug fit so the system wouldn’t slide around when they use it, and we increased the number of contact pins so that we would have less misses and less missed connections.”

This innovative technology not only accelerates and expands the development of a Marine’s skills, but also sustains unit readiness while Marine’s aren’t deployed for training elsewhere like Twentynine Palms, CA, or the Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island.

"Marine Corps Base Hawaii doesn’t have the ability to live fire 81mm mortars," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Harry Taylor, the regimental gunner of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment. "This system greatly enhances the ability for the Marines to continue to train and be combat ready on the 81mm mortar system."

Ultimately, Marines become more capable warfighters by using the ISMT. The live-virtual-constructive training environment is available around the clock, rain or shine.

"The purpose of this system is to allow the Marines to be able to maintain peak readiness at all times," said Taylor. "There’s no weather restrictions, there’s no range restrictions, there’s no environmental restrictions, Marines can come in here anytime as long as they schedule it, allowing combat readiness to be at its peak."

• Date Taken: 09.29.2023
• Date Posted: 09.29.2023 18:46
• Story ID: 454709
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HAWAII, US