MTS: A Success Story for Battlefield Logisticians

摘要

The Movement Tracking System (MTS) is a critical battlefield enabler for combat support and combat service support (CSS) soldiers. MTS is bridging communication gaps that have existed for years within the CSS community. It is making up for the low number of frequency modulation (FM) radios in CSS units and overcoming the limitations of FM radio line-of-site communications caused by long range or mountainous terrain. MTS is a commercial off-the-shelf product that has been "semiruggedized" to provide vehicle operators and their leaders with digital National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency maps, global positioning system (GPS) location data, and L-band (long band) satellite two-way text messaging. MTS computer systems come in two configurations: a mobile system that can be mounted in any tactical wheeled vehicle and a laptop control station for use at platoon, company, battalion, or brigade headquarters. The system enables soldiers to see the position of, and communicate with, other MTS-enabled vehicles and control stations. Leaders can pass critical information, route and mission changes, and other information to their soldiers while the soldiers are on the road conducting missions.