"The Land Warrior (LW) system is the Army's future system for the individual soldier. The LW consists of five subsystems, with the weapon subsystem the focus of the training research. The training of two platoons in preparation for a LW operational test was observed. Four sights and devices were trained (the close combat optic, two aiming lights, and the thermal weapon sight), plus a bore light. The training adequately prepared the soldiers to qualify on the M4 carbine with the close combat optic and the thermal weapon sight. Qualification standards were extremely difficult to achieve with the aiming lights on the M4, due to environmental conditions typical of Army ranges, not to lack of firer expertise. A standardized technique for boresighting all the devices was developed. Diagnostic skills needed by trainers and soldiers to effectively hit targets with each device were identified. The findings have immediate applicability to the Army, as the devices are currently being fielded. The report describes what contributes to quality training on the devices, and what should be integrated into marksmanship programs of instruction, technical manuals, and the training and doctrine literature." -- Stinet.

The Land Warrior (LW) system is the Army's future system for the individual soldier. The LW consists of five subsystems, with the weapon subsystem the focus of the training research. The training of two platoons in preparation for a LW operational test was observed. Four sights and devices were trained (the close combat optic, two aiming lights, and the thermal weapon sight), plus a bore light. The training adequately prepared the soldiers to qualify on the M4 carbine with the close combat optic and the thermal weapon sight. Qualification standards were extremely difficult to achieve with the aiming lights on the M4, due to environmental conditions typical of Army ranges, not to lack of firer expertise. A standardized technique for boresighting all the devices was developed. Diagnostic skills needed by trainers and soldiers to effectively hit targets with each device were identified. The findings have immediate applicability to the Army, as the devices are currently being fielded. The report describes what contributes to quality training on the devices, and what should be integrated into marksmanship programs of instruction, technical manuals, and the training and doctrine literature.

The Land Warrior (LW) system provides the Soldier a new combat capability the ability to conduct surveillance and to fire from a reduced exposure posture. The day capability is achieved with the daylight video sight; the night capability with the thermal weapon sight. An experiment was conducted to determine the relative lethality of this capability versus standard direct fire techniques. The LW v1.0 system was used. Soldiers who participated in the experiment represented a cross-section of military occupational specialties. Data were obtained on probability of hit, round dispersion, target acquisition, and Soldier exposure to the enemy. Over all the experimental conditions, marksmanship accuracy was reduced somewhat (18% decrease), but Soldier exposure was decreased by 75% compared to direct fire positions and the absolute amount of exposure was small. A training plan was developed that identified the required skills and incorporated the training lessons learned on techniques and firing exercises that facilitate skill acquisition.