Units heading to Iraq equipped with upgraded technology.

• Author: Tiron, Roxana

The Army's 3rd Infantry Division is preparing to return to Iraq with a number of new technologies designed for urban fighting. Among them is an anti-sniper vehicle system that will be operated from a Humvee. It will be ready to deploy in late summer or early fall, according to John Dillon, an Army engineer working on the project.

The Army Aviation and Missile Command has outfitted an older Humvee with an acoustic sensor and a remote weapon station. "These two systems are highly integrated to produce a protective system," Dillon said.

The original plan, Dillon said, was to equip up-armored Humvees with this anti-sniper kit in tire United States, but because all the vehicles are in Iraq, the kit will be shipped there.

Another option, Dillon explained, would be to integrate the acoustic system onto the Stryker light armored vehicle, which already has the remote weapon system. The Stryker brigades have expressed interest in the acoustic sensor, Dillon told National Defense.

"They tested the Strykers with the acoustic sensors and they performed very well," he said.

At first, only one kit will be sent to Iraq. Its performance in the field will determine the final numbers the troops will receive.

Another technology the 3rd ID will take to Iraq is the long-range advanced scout surveillance system, or LRAS3.

During the initial phase of the war last year, the Army did not have enough time to outfit all tanks with the system, said Maj. Thomas Lippert, from the office of the project manager for night vision and reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. Several LRAS3 systems were issued to the 3rd ID in Kuwait and then handed over to the 1st Armored Division. The Stryker brigades already have the LRAS3, he said.

The Army changed its delivery schedule to outfit the tanks returning to Iraq, said Lippert. The LRAS3 consists of a second-generation forward-looking inflated with long-range optics, eye-safe laser rangefinder, a day video camera and a global positioning system with attitude determination.

"LRAS3 is a phenomenal thermal FLIR, which allows you to see in fog and sand," said Lippert. "It is basically a far target locator." LRAS3 also exports far target location coordinates to the Army's unit tracking system, the Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade-and-Below.

Meanwhile, the PM NV/RSTA is working on developing a "change-detection technology," said Lippert, which allows soldiers to survey an area to determine if any changes occurred from...