Laser Designators (questions)

d3mm

Some units already carry helmet cameras that are linked to remote displays or to other members in the unit, I do not really see the benefit of putting this on the rifle instead. It would need to be in addition to the helmet stuff as it would be for targeting only, so an extra thing for everyone to carry. Also, you still need to carry goggles for night vision, and unlike video games, not everyone is always shooting all the time. Realistically do you need more than 1 desginator per squad or platoon?

edit: Tanks with the 'battleifeld intenet' upgrades already have it, but infantry are already carrying too much weight. Assault pack and a rifle is 20 kilos (44 lbs), add another 20 kilo for a rucksack.

Apophenia

No video games here. :)
That's why I was saying I was unsure of the practicality behind it. Youtube videos of some actual combat situations made it seem like a targeting system may be useful.

Well, I think anyone in a sticky situation should designate where a target is or may be; it may be easier/more efficient for direct communication through sight in an eye piece or scope.

Id suppose it can be put to other use as well; not just combat or even military. Yeah, 44 lbs is hindering maneuverability; I was thinking really lightweight stuff.

d3mm

It will happen, but not this generation.

Drakkith

Well, there's a big issue of keeping track of all these targets. It's fine to point one out, but if that guy ducks behind a building and appears on the other side do you mark him again? Do you now have two targets marked? How would the soldier shooting unmark and mark them? Will he even have the time to do so? Would it be detrimental to divide his attention? There's a LOT more to this than it seems at first.

d3mm

Ah you are confusing an artillery/airtrike desginating system with regular spotting.

1/ A fireteam has 4 members, the leader of which is an NCO and carries an under-rifle grenade launcher or some kind of fancy laser designator.

2/ A guy in the fireteam seems some enemy blokes. He calls out "<nco's rank or name>! 2 o'clock, 50 meters, 2 bogies with a machine gun, looks like they're falling back"

Even if he had a laser "pointer" he would still need to call out or press buttons to show the number and type of targets to the NCO.

3/ The NCO decides what to do about it, optionally choosing to mark the target with his grenade launcher or laser, then issues orders as appropriate.

4/ If they want artillery, the NCO goes via his platoon commander who can request it from company or battalion level, via a mate called a "forward observer" that has one of those big, heavy LLDR-type things and a radio. It has to b authorised as all units in the platoon are using a 'share' of assets controled at a level above the platoon.

The sort of system you are envisaging is an integrated digital type thing were anyone can just click a button, see everything on their helmet visor, and call in spaceships from Jupiter to bomb people. It will happen but right now the current system works in the way above, becuase: a) an LLDR is very expensive, b) an LLDR is very heavy and these guys are already overloaded, c) you *still* need a higher authority to authorise your support fire.

Apophenia

@ Drakkith
Of course its not always as simple thought out as on paper.

I was thinking more along the lines of a general location targeting but who knows about something as specific as single enemy targeting.

Some of the combat footage Ive seen made it seem like a lot of the time its more ambush tactics on the "enemy" side. So an unknown attack location...

@d3mm

I mean just regular spotting. Even something as simple as pointing out a location that may or may not be hostile.

Sorry for the delay..