PACERS: Platoon Aid for Collective Employment of Robotic Systems

Abstract : This report presents guidance to help train platoons equipped with organic unmanned systems. The Army currently is supplying platoons with both prototype and commercially available unmanned systems to evaluate military utility and to develop tactics, techniques, and procedures; however, the training provided prior to these experiments focuses almost entirely on individual operator training. While different unmanned systems require different detailed procedures, there are certain aspects of operation applicable across systems, and training could be given on these system-general aspects of employment. The purpose of this report is to (1) lay out these system-general aspects and (2) suggest a list of activities to focus on to help train system integration. Each activity has associated observations and related after-action review questions applicable to both air and ground assets, and avoiding the particulars of any specific system. Trainers will not have the opportunity to become conversant with the specifics of the myriad of systems they may encounter. Besides being system general, the training guidance provided is also mission-general. It suggests appropriate observations and questions to facilitate coaching and after action review discussion specifically with respect to system employment. Therefore, these represent an addition to, not a replacement of, mission-specific observations and after-action review topics.