Delivery of the Marine Corps' next generation marksmanship trainers may be delayed after at least one company competing to produce it is protested inrecently filed a protest of the contract award.
The $32.7 million 
contract, awarded Nov. 5 to Meggitt Training Systems, Inc., is being contested, according to Marine Corps Systems Command officials. They who declined to discuss the new system further pending resolution of the matter. It was not immediately clear on what grounds the award was being disputed.
The ungraded versions will It will also allow for training Marines to handle complex battle scenarios with calls for fire support. It will also challenge Marines who serve in specialized jobs, like those who guard embassies, to pass unique training scenarios that will better prepare them for real-life missions. or even situations faced by specialized Marines like Marine security guards posted at embassies.
"The system shall be a three dimensional simulation based system for indoor use capable of instructing in basic and advanced marksmanship, shoot/no-shoot judgment, combat marksmanship, supporting arms, and weapons employment tactics," the read system specifications published on FedBizOpps.gov state.
It will even support forward observers by allowing them to call for mortars, artillery, naval gunfire, close air support, and close-in fire support.
Those robust capabilities will not only allow for better training of standard infantry and support Marines, but also those with specialized roles. For example, if Marine security guards are training in one, they can recreate the layout of their embassy compound.
It will also allow for scenarios in a multitude of topographies including mountain, desert, woodland and urban. The service would also like the system to be able to depict glaciers, volcanoes, ocean and coastal areas, and continental plains and rivers.
Potential scenarios the simulator can accommodate will include deliberate and hasty attacks, combat and reconnaissance patrols, meeting engagements, raids, and military operations on urban terrain. It will also simulate night attacks that are illuminated or non-illuminated, position defense in the day and night and engagement of enemy targets that include aircraft, helicopters and armor.
The hyper-realistic system will mimic the actual ballistics of everything from pistol rounds to buckshot.
"For example, an M16A4 round should penetrate grass, bushes, canvas, and other soft targets, but not damage a tank," the system requirements state read.
To complete the immersive experience, the service requires that sounds "be of such fidelity, quality realism and volume that students shall experience the cues, stresses, and distractions of a 'real life' combat situation."
IT will also show rounds that are normally visible as they travel down range including rounds from AT4 Anti-tank Weapons, Mk 19 grenade launchers, tracer rounds and more.
