Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System

Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System
Name	Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System
Type	Laser tag training system
Origin	United States
Service	1978–present
Used by	United States Army, United States Marine Corps, British Army, Canadian Army, others
Wars	Used in training for Operation Desert Storm, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Designer	Science Applications International Corporation
Design date	1970s

Contents

Overview
Development and history
Technical specifications
Operational use
Variants and upgrades
See also

Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System. It is a laser tag-style tactical engagement simulation system used for force-on-force training by military forces. The system uses eye-safe lasers and detectors to simulate direct and indirect fire engagements, providing realistic combat feedback without live ammunition. Developed initially for the United States Army, it has been widely adopted by NATO and other allied nations to enhance the realism of training exercises.

Overview

The core function of the system is to provide a safe, instrumented method for conducting realistic military training. It integrates laser transmitters, known as Small Arms Transmitters, onto individual weapons and vehicle-mounted systems, which communicate with detector harnesses worn by personnel and installed on vehicles. When a "hit" is registered, the system can impose penalties such as weapon lockout or casualty status, transmitting data to an After Action Review center. This technology allows units like the 101st Airborne Division and the 1st Marine Division to conduct highly detailed combat exercises at locations such as the National Training Center and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.

Development and history

The system was developed in the late 1970s by Science Applications International Corporation under contract from the United States Department of Defense. It was conceived as a successor to earlier systems like the Simulation of Tactical Alternative Responses and was influenced by the need for better training after the Vietnam War. A major test and validation occurred during the Army–Air Force Joint Exercise at Fort Hunter Liggett in 1978. Its successful deployment for major exercises like REFORGER cemented its role in Cold War-era training, preparing units for potential conflict in regions like the Fulda Gap.

Technical specifications

The individual soldier system consists of a laser transmitter that mounts on the M16 rifle or M4 carbine, interfacing with the weapon's blank-firing adapter. The Laser Detector harness, worn on the helmet and torso, contains sensors and a Control Indicator module. For vehicles like the M1 Abrams or M2 Bradley, the system uses the Vehicle Integrated Laser Engagement System, which includes multiple emitter arrays and detectors. Data is collected via the MILES 2000 system and relayed using radio frequency communication to a central Instrumentation-Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System for analysis by Observer Controllers.

Operational use

The system is a staple at major combat training centers worldwide. At the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, it is used in full-spectrum exercises involving units like the 10th Mountain Division. The British Army employs it at the British Army Training Unit Suffield in Canada, while the Australian Defence Force uses it at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. It was extensively used to train coalition forces for the Gulf War and subsequent operations in Kuwait and Iraq. The system's ability to simulate casualties and assess unit performance under stress has made it invaluable for brigade combat team and battalion-level training.

Variants and upgrades

The original system, often called MILES I, was succeeded by the improved MILES 2000, which offered better reliability and data handling. A significant advancement was the fielding of the Instrumentation-Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System, which integrated Global Positioning System data for precise tracking. The United States Marine Corps developed the Tactical Combat Training System for aviation, while the United States Air Force uses related technology for Red Flag exercises. International variants include the British Army's Direct Fire Weapon Effect Simulator and systems used by the Israel Defense Forces.