Cubic receives $20 million order from USA for laser combat training system

Cubic Defense Applications, the defense systems business unit of Cubic Corporation, has received approximately $20 million in orders for its laser combat training system -- the MILES Individual Weapon System (MILES IWS). Soldiers use MILES IWS instrumentation during force-on-force training exercises to provide real-time feedback during weapons engagements, as well as an electronic record of their performance for after-action reviews. In a military version of "laser tag," soldiers fire laser "bullets" toward opponents and the laser detectors determine whether they are hit. Player instrumentation consists of laser detectors worn on helmets and lightweight cloth harnesses, and a laser transmitter mounted to weapons such as the M4 and M16 rifles, M2 and M40 machine guns and the M249 squad automatic weapon. The U.S. Army placed its latest order for systems and spare equipment under Cubic's 2005 contract with the Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation and Training Instrumentation (PEO STRI). Scheduled for delivery starting in August 2009, the systems are destined for users at Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Cubic and PEO STRI field-tested MILES IWS at Fort Irwin in November 2008. There were positive user reports about "look and feel" improvements over earlier generations of laser-based engagement systems. The improvements include lighter weight components and improved weapons alignment.