Although not participating in the tactical scenarios, the AETF brigade headquarters is providing “higher command” inputs to both blue and red forces during the free-flow engagements.

Outlining his “commander’s intent” in the brigade Tactical Operations Center, Col. Randy Lane, AETF commander, describes the purpose of the testing as “To help facilitate an Army decision through the testing and evaluation of spin out (SO) capabilities in a full spectrum Limited User Test (LUT).”

In terms of methodology, Lane outlines: “We will conduct an Operational Test Command controlled and brigade-driven exercise to further test and evaluate the spin out capabilities. The LUT is a “battalion-minus” level test that will consist of missions conducted in an operationally realistic environment to assess equipment performance across the full spectrum of operations. The LUT will run in four iterations over 96 hours incorporating offensive, defensive, and stability operations in each iteration. 2 CAB will provide command and control for subordinate units involved in the LUT. 1 CAB provides the TRISA [U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Intelligence Support Activity] certified OPFOR throughout the LUT. Fires Battalion provides the NLOS-LS platoon, fire support element, and fire markers. BSB [brigade support battalion] has sustainment operations for all player units. FFID [U.S. Army Future Force Integration Directorate] provides trained and certified subject matter experts for OTC [Operational Test Command] to help control and gather data on the exercise.”

Key tasks being performed during the LUT focus on the validation of both capabilities and possible limitations for the employment of the spin out technologies, as well as attempting to capture the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to optimize the capabilities at platoon, company, and task force level.

In the case of both Tactical and Urban Unattended Ground Sensors (T-UGS and U-UGS), for example, Lane notes that this validation process involves the employment of the sensors “to detect dismounted and mounted enemy movement to help provide actionable intelligence.”

NLOS-LS participation in LUT involves demonstration of interoperability with “current force” command and control systems through the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS).

The network is also working on integration between both present and future command and control capabilities by demonstrating the operational integration of the sensors, the spin out Network Integration Kit, and existing FBCB2 [Force XXI Battle Command and Below] system.

The LUT is also providing an opportunity for the forces to train with the new OT-TES [Operational Test – Tactical Engagement System] to provide realistic feedback on operations.

Other efforts range from the capture of lessons “to inform development or training strategy and maintenance packages” to the evaluation and recommendation “on distribution of SO systems for E-IBCT.”

As outlined by Lane, the LUT “end state” will be achieved when all required data has been collected “to inform future decisions concerning the SO capabilities,” all 5th Brigade and FFID soldiers have been redeployed without serious incident, and after action reviews have been conducted to capture lessons learned and emerging TTPs.

“It’s not the soldiers that are being tested,” noted a test planner. “It’s the equipment. The soldiers are helping us test this equipment. Everyone has a cell phone that operates on a commercial network. And what we’re trying to do out here is test our network. We have UAS variants and robot variants that are in theater right now, but they’re not all tied to a single network.”

Depending on the results of LUT testing, coupled with subsequent acquisition decisions, the systems reflect the initial package that may be applied to the first seven Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT) beginning in calendar year 2011.