Modernization of the current Call for Fire Trainers across the Army and ARNG

Current Call For Fire Trainer’s have been sunset, and the Army is no longer providing sustainment dollars to maintain the equipment, requiring states to either self-repair/sustain or depend on state funded contractors to maintain equipment. While this is a known issue for the Department of the Army, the current plan is to not field a new system until 2030. Per Army standards (and some Air Guard positions) infantryman and artillery personnel are required to be trained on proper call for fire procedures. Not only are the current systems difficult to use, but they also require extensive manpower and are often non-operational. To meet this critical training need, a new virtual, deployable systems that can be used in standalone mode with a single instructor and student, a classroom environment where all students are involved in each CFF mission and an instructorless mode powered by a voice-activated simulated Fire Direction Center (FDC) to train Call for Indirect Fire fundamentals that are needed immediately. both classroom and instructorless mode to train Call for Indirect Fire fundamentals are needed immediately. Providing the newest, most advanced technology is critical for maintaining the skills needed for the National Guard to be trained at the highest level. More importantly, increasing the amount of training available will increase skill retention and will lead to less friendly fire and other deadly events in wartime operations.

Congress funds the National Guard to field a new, modern, and advanced Call for Fire Trainer across the entire force immediately and not wait until the current 2030 sunset date.