Army paratroopers have successfully completed testing of a lighter, ruggedized version of its laser target locator needed to improve artillery fire accuracy, officials said June 1.
The Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate (ABNSOTD) and 82nd Airborne Division demonstrated full mission capability for the Laser Target Locator Module (LTLM) II, and officials plan to roll out the capability to paratroopers Army-wide.
“The LTLM II provides the dismounted squads the capability to obtain targeting data, no matter the weather conditions or location,” Staff Sgt. Marcus Love, an ABNSOTD test officer, said in a statement. “The reduced size and weight make the LTLM II an attractive tool for providing a critical and immediate need for a lightweight, day/night capability to determine threat target data.”
French defense company Safran received a $304.5 million deal in 2017 to develop a smaller, lighter LTLM II. The original LTLM was built by BAE Systems.
The new LTLM II is meant to deliver more accurate targeting data before firing artillery and mortars.
Paratroopers were first trained on the device by ABNSOTD officials and then conducted 22 static line and free fall tests as both operators and maintainers of the ruggedized laser-guided system.
“The LTLM II is a ruggedized system for military use. Some military equipment I have worked with previously did not withstand the rigors of Airborne service,” Spec. Martinez Chamorro, a member of the 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, said in a statement.
Participants in the testing exercise conducted both day/night range testing, including target engagement exercises with the LTLM II.