US Army’s MDUSA to enhance soldier’s target acquisition range and reduce time to acquisition

The US Army has embarked on a  new project to develop a “Multidomain User Sensor Architecture Prototype” for situational awareness and target acquisition. The goal of the MDUSA effort is to address the need for increased situational awareness and target acquisition range in very low Size, Weight, and Power consumption (SWaP) when compared to existing Far Target Location Systems.

The service is seeking a modular approach for the sensor architecture, which is to include a “handheld target location module” and augmented reality, among other technologies. The products of this program will provide improved target acquisition ranges, reduced time to acquisition, and improved situational awareness, all while maintaining the ability to adapt to new and unforeseen threats faster in an improved SWAP through modularity.

The Army expects to award up to two agreements for technology readiness level 6 prototypes as part of the three-year effort, according to a statement of objectives.

MDUSA Award to Elbit Systems

Elbit Systems of America subsidiary, Kollsman, Inc., was awarded a Prototype Project via the Sensors Communications and Electronics Consortium (SCEC) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) held by SOSSEC, Inc. for the development of the Multi-Domain User Sensor Architecture (MDUSA) targeting system in support of the U.S. Army.

Key components of the MDUSA prototype project include a handheld target locator module, precision azimuth and vertical angle module, a laser marker designator and tripod and additional cutting-edge technologies.

The company’s solution will enable the dismounted soldier to prosecute targets with true handheld targeting, while increasing situational awareness in a small, lightweight, modular package. The solution will provide advantages such as greater target acquisition ranges and reduced time to acquisition.

Kollsman’s prototype solution will provide the capability for dismounted soldiers to counter targets with handheld targeting. The small, modular, lightweight system will also help enhance situational awareness.  “This next-generation system performs in GPS-denied and other contested environments, offering increased situational awareness in all battlefield environments.”

Elbit Systems of America Ground Combat & Precision Targeting Solutions vice-president Ridge Sower said: “Our MDUSA prototype solution provides revolutionary advancements from current targeting products and equips US Army Forward Observers with information needed to dominate the battlefield.

Forward Observers will be able to adapt to new threats quickly.  Elbit Systems of America said that the solution ‘also aligns with the US Army’s modernisation efforts by enhancing lethality effects from the sensor to the shooter’.

References and resources also include:

https://www.army-technology.com/news/kollsman-prototype-project-us-mdusa/