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Cannon debuts latest in moving target technology

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ericka Engblom
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Explosions shake the air as a white truck, almost invisible through the dust and smoke, weaves its way across Melrose Air Force Range, N.M., towing a target being shot at by 40mm rounds from aircraft patrolling the sky.

Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., tested the latest in unmanned vehicle technology, Feb. 4.
 
The newly acquired $180,000 remote-controlled truck, guided by a Global Positioning System, is being used by the 27th Special Operations Wing to train aerial and ground crews in combat operations.

"This moving target will provide a much more realistic training environment for our Air Commandos," said Col. Buck Elton, 27 SOW commander. "It is the first of its kind to be used in Air Force Special Operations Command."

The GPS controlled Ford F-250, is able to start, stop, drive in various patterns and tow a target without a human presence in the cab.

This capability not only allows Cannon air crews to practice shooting at a moving target, but will also be used by ground crews to simulate multiple aggressive hostile situations.

"The truck can be used to aggress an area and provide a persistent threat up to a point," said Maj. Ian Frady, 27th Special Operations Air Operations Squadron, deputy range manager. "However, 98 percent of what it will be used for is aerial moving target practice."

Though in its initial testing phase, members who control the range training program are optimistic about the training potential the truck will provide in the future.

"This is an unparalleled tool," said Frady. "We cannot wait to bring teams from other wings in AFSOC out to Cannon so they can train with the vehicle. It opens up a new and unique training opportunity for us. We really cannot express how excited we are about this."

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