Urban exercise tests novel technology: Unmanned systems and sensors play prominent role in marine experiment.

• Author: Tiron, Roxana

Aware of their weaknesses in urban warfare tactics, U.S. Marines are experimenting with new technology that could help them fight more effectively in crowded cities.

The Marines spent several weeks testing urban combat equipment this summer, during Millennium Dragon--the Marine portion of the joint Defense Department experiment called Millennium Challenge 2002.

"The U.S. military is not ready to fight in MOUT [military operations in urban terrain] unless they are ready to rake a lot of casualties," said Marine Maj. Brian Homberg, from the Joint Forces Command. "It is not that they are not capable of doing so, but they want to be able to do it without taking a lot of casualties."

The urban environment is the most difficult setting for any baffle, said Maj. Robert Barr, a wargaming expert at the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. Out of the last 66 conflicts where Marines fought, 58 involved some type of urban terrain, he said.

To prepare for what could be a war in the streets of Baghdad, Marines forming an "experimental task force" prowled the streets of the now-closed George Air Force Base, in California. "Besides the infrastructure that is present, the housing area has over 300 individual structures on it," Barr explained. He added that there are nearly a thousand houses on the base.

In the enveloping dust and scorching heat, the enemy (the opposition force, or OPFOR) moved like shadows across the streets, eluding the Blue Force, which was rolling in with ranks and high-tech equipment.

The tanks quickly became sitting ducks for anti-tank missiles. During the free-play before the combined arms exercise started, an M1A1 was pinned down between two houses, making feeble attempts at trying to move forward.

"Tanks provide firepower to infantry when they are shot at," said Homberg. "It's a team effort. If the rank is without the infantry around it, it is vulnerable, and so is the infantry without the tank." He explained that ranks are important for destroying enemy positions. Tanks can be blown up by rocket-propelled grenades from the back, and the soldiers usually cover that.

"Gadgets aren't worth everything without sophisticated tactics in urban environments," said a Marine spokesman. The Marines had to adapt to some of the classic, but most effective opposition tricks in the book--deception and illusion.

"We make them think something is happening, while really something else is going on," said a Marine from the OPFOR, who identified himself only as Pfc. Widener. "We focus on the surprise element, and illusion is a big factor.

"Being the enemy, you are in your house, while the good guys come into an environment where they have limited intelligence, if any at all," he added.

Eventually, the Blue Force...