Jet Propulsion Laboratory (U.S.). R&AD Construction and Support Services Procurement Section 626.

The U.S. Army Material Development and Readiness Command (DARCOM) sponsored the Simulation of Area Weapons Effects (SAWE) task. SAWE is concerned with the development of field training devices to simulate the effects of indirect fire, mines, nuclear/biological/chemical (NBC) and communications disruption. JPL's involvement started in 1982. They were involved with the manufacturing and testing of the SAWE Indirect Fire Simulation (IFS), Player Detection Device (PDD), Mine Effects Simulator (MES) and Tactical Engagement Simulation (TES).

The Army started the actual work in early 1981 with emphasis on training devices for indirect fire simulation. The first efforts determined the best technological approach. Proof of concept hardware was then developed, followed by a controlled field test in May 1983. The results of the test indicated that, with certain improvements, the concept showed good potential for use as a training device. Work on a mine effects simulator, included both analytical studies and demonstration hardware, also was performed at the proof of concept level. Similar activities for two chemical training devices, a mask and a persistent chemical agent simulate, had also been conducted.

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