Perhaps the main goal of optimizing and expanding military training programs is, of course, making today’s warfighter as lethal and prepared as possible. Next week, Defense Strategies Institute (DSI) is hosting their 3rd Annual Warfighter Systems Summit in Alexandria, VA, where defense experts will discuss current and future DoD efforts to maximize the lethality, protection, and situational awareness of close combat warfighters. The event boasts speakers from the DoD, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Air Force.
To learn more about what to expect at this year’s show and emerging technologies catering to improved warfighter lethality, the Modern Military Training team sat down with Richard Giordano, Program Manager for DSI. Here’s what he had to share in our conversation:
MMT Editors: What will be some of the key topics and themes discussed at the Warfighter Systems Summit?
Richard Giordano, Program Manager for DSI
Richard Giordano: Some of the topics covered by the various military services at this Summit include: advancing warfighter lethality to ensure a more lethal, effective, and cohesive Infantry, maximizing warfighter lethality through advanced training programs and synthetic training environments that will help close the gaps, and ensuring the overall equipping and sustaining of the USMC with fully integrated infantry combat capabilities.
MMT Editors: What new technologies do you think contribute most to advancing warfighter lethality?
Giordano: I feel that technologies such as the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NSGW) will help most in enhancing soldier lethality because it will increase range and accuracy for improved soldier survivability, as well as provide increased flexibility and power. Another technology that will help to increase lethality would be the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS). This technology will detail how lightweight goggles will allow the soldier to blend digital elements into their field of view and improve their thermal/night vision capabilities, as well as enhance their ability to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in the battlefield.
MMT Editors: How can modern training approaches like LVC and their respective systems contribute to making the warfighter more lethal than ever?
Giordano: The LVC training methods and Synthetic Training Environments (STE) enable the warfighter to be more lethal because they provide them a decisive overmatch at the small unit levels. They allow the warfighter to see more of their environment and help them to be more prepared to face all types of threats in the battlespace. With these immersive training methods and devices in the hands of combatant commanders, this will help to close the gaps for the current warfighter.
MMT Editors: Which legacy warfighter capabilities stand to be replaced most with today’s and tomorrow’s enhanced systems and technologies?
Giordano: Two capabilities that come to mind being replaced with today’s enhanced systems and technologies would be the current weapons being used by the warfighter and current training devices not yet in the hands of the combatant commanders. Technologies in these spaces are continually evolving and are set to replace current legacy systems in the near future. Additionally, soldier protective gear will continue to be upgraded in order to better optimize size, weight, and power (SWAP).
MMT Editors: Anything else to add?
Giordano: We encourage those interested to join us for two days of open dialogue centered around this year’s theme of “Enhancing Lethality and Survivability for Close Combat Warfighters.” This is your chance to engage with senior leaders from the various military branches leading the development and fielding of advanced technologies for current and future warfighter systems.
Modern Military Training is a proud media partner for the 2019 Warfighter Systems Summit and we look forward to learning more about progress in warfighter preparedness and lethality from experts in attendance.
