Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RE-CONFIGURABLE ARMORED TACTICAL
PERSONNEL AND COLLECTIVE TRAINING FACILITY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a training
facility
for military and law enforcement personnel. More particularly, embodiments of
the
present invention pertain to a reconfigurable armored unit for use in live
fire training
exercises.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] To maintain proficiency in the use of firearms, typically military and
law
enforcement personnel engage in target practice. Traditionally, target
practice has
been conducted on a range in which targets were placed a distance away from
the
shooter. However, target practice on a range does not adequately train
military and
law enforcement personnel for many real life situations. Therefore, structures
that
include ballistic walls in arrangements to resemble a house or other building
were
formed. These structures, typically referred to as shoot houses, enable
military and
law enforcement personnel to train in situations in which the officer faces
realistic
threats to their safety.
[0003] Traditional shoot houses were originally constructed out of concrete,
gravel filled walls, or tire walls. While these shoot houses provided a marked
improvement over traditional training at a target range, they still do not
feel as
realistic as conventional looking walls.
[0004] As technology improved, the traditional shoot house became more
sophisticated. Today, as part of most military and law enforcement training
scenarios, dynamic encounters, while either moving or against moving "Friend-
Foe"
targets in realistic settings, are required. Currently, military and law
enforcement
personnel use a variety of facilities including automated and non-automated
static
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ranges, convoy training structures, and shoot houses to fulfill their training
requirements.
[0005] Combat veterans and progressive training instructors have acknowledged
that the human body and mind have predictable, instinctive responses to
surprise
and lethal threats. While the basics of weapons handling and marksmanship are
important skills for all shooters, they are not the basis for success during
most lethal
encounters involving the defensive use of a firearm. Trainees are much more
likely
to be caught off-guard by an aggressive attacker in close quarters and low
light
conditions than when "confronted" by a simulated lethal threat in broad
daylight
standing 25 yards in front of an earthen berm.
[0006] An environment that accurately recreates situational realism is
requisite to
firearms/tactical training programs, especially with the shift in doctrine to
urban
training to support the global war on terror and to allow our war fighters to
train as
they fight. As such, static (non-automated) outdoor ranges with permanent
target
positions are least desirable to meet the changing mission requirements for
these
training exercises. With regard to tactical training, the traditional shoot
house is also
not fully adequate or desirable because of life cycle costs. Further, the
traditional
shoot house requires significant design time and construction efforts to
erect.
Furthermore, the traditional shoot house lacks flexibility in modifying
training
scenarios once erected. Additionally, the traditional shoot house lacks
realism for
today's training mission requirements. Also, the traditional shoot house
includes a
large surface danger Zone (SDZ) footprint. In addition, the traditional shoot
house
typically raises encroachment, nuisance, and/or noise issues. Furthermore,
traditional shoot houses typically have an open top due to air quality issues
among
other things. Therefore, there is a need for an improved shoot house
arrangement
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is generally directed to a reconfigurable armored
unit for use in live fire training exercises. In one aspect, a reconfigurable
training
facility is provided. The reconfigurable training facility includes a first
modular unit
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having at least one subsystem and a second modular unit having at least one
subsystem. Each modular unit is constructed from a standard structural
footprint
and each modular unit includes at least one bullet containment wall. The
reconfigurable training facility further includes a control member, wherein
the
subsystem in each modular unit is controlled by the control member.
[0008] In another aspect, a modular unit for use in a reconfigurable training
facility is provided. The modular unit includes a portable structural member,
wherein
the portable structural member is configured to be interconnectable with
another
portable structural member. The modular unit further includes at least one
bullet
containment wall inside the portable structural member and at least one
subsystem
for providing a controlled environment inside the portable structural member.
[0009] In yet another aspect, a method of forming a reconfigurable training
facility
is provided. The method includes positioning a first modular unit at a
predetermined
location, wherein the first modular unit has at least one subsystem and at
least one
bullet containment wall. The method further includes positioning a second
modular
unit relative to the first modular unit, wherein the second modular unit has
at least
one subsystem and at least one bullet containment wall. Additionally, the
method
includes connecting the subsystems together and controlling each subsystem.
[0010] In a further aspect, a method of building a scenario in a graphical
space is
provided. The method includes providing modules to construct the scenario and
transporting the modules to a location. The method further includes
configuring the
modules in a predetermined configuration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present
invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the
invention,
briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of
which
are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the
appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and
are
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therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may
admit to
other equally effective embodiments.
[0012] Figure 1 is a view illustrating one embodiment of a reconfigurable
armored
tactical personnel and collective training facility (RATPAC) for live training
exercises.
[0013] Figure 2 is a view illustrating the first floor of the RATPAC in Figure
1.
[0014] Figure 3 is a view illustrating the second floor of the RATPAC in
Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present invention is generally directed to a modular unit for use
in live
fire training exercises in order to train fighters as they fight. Various
terms as used
herein are defined below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined
below,
it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have
given that
term, as reflected in printed publications and issued patents. In the
description that
follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with
the
same reference numerals. The drawings may be, but are not necessarily, to
scale
and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better
illustrate details
and features described below. One of normal skill in the art of shoot houses
will
appreciate that the various embodiments of the invention can and may be used
in all
types of shoot houses.
[0016] Figure 1 is a view illustrating one embodiment of a reconfigurable
armored
tactical personnel and collective training facility (RATPAC) 100 for live
training
exercises. As shown in Figure 1, the RATPAC 100 includes three modular units
150
configured in a cluster. It is to be understood, however, that the RATPAC 100
may
include any number of modular units without departing from principles of the
present
invention. For ease of explanation, the invention will be described generally
as it
relates to a single building structure. It is to be understood, however, that
the
invention may be employed in any number of building structures without
departing
from principles of the present invention.
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[0017] The modular units 150 in the RATPAC 100 are configured to construct the
tactical training facility. Each modular unit 150 is portable, thereby
allowing the
RATPAC 100 to be reconfigured with minimal effort. For illustrative purposes,
the
roof on each modular unit 150 has been removed. As shown, the interior of each
modular unit 150 may be configured with various features, such as widows,
doors,
stairwells, walls, and hallways but the overall structure of each modular unit
150 is
constructed to a predetermined standard design or structural foot pattern. For
instance, each modular unit 150 includes a standard width and a standard
length.
Additionally, each modular unit 150 includes a support structure 160 at each
corner.
The standard design allows each modular unit 150 to be arranged in a side by
side
configuration or in a stacked configuration without substantially modifying
the
modular unit 150. Additionally, the standard design allows the modular unit
150 to
be prefabricated prior to assembly of the RATPAC 100, thereby reducing the
design
and construction efforts. Another benefit of a standard design is that the
modular
unit 150 may be disassembled and reconfigured with minimal effort, thereby
adding
flexibility in modifying training scenarios once erected. In one embodiment,
the
modular unit is containerized. For instance, the modular unit is built on ISO
9000
container concepts, with foldable frames for flat-pack shipping. In addition,
other
features, such as an exterior stairway 165 may be added to the RATPAC 100 to
create the realistic tactical training facility.
[0018] Generally, each modular unit 150 includes interior and exterior panels
that
consist of standard dimension panels mounted on a grid system, and includes
solid
panels (single and double sided), window panels, door panels, with or without
breach capabilities. The interior of each modular unit 150 includes bullet
containment walls configured to allow live-fire within the modular unit 150.
More
specifically, the walls in each modular unit 150 include armored panels and/or
armored steel plates to maintain the integrity of the walls when rounds of
bullets are
shot in the modular unit 150. The exterior facades of each modular unit 150
can
also be mounted on the grid system to provide additional realism when the
RATPAC
100 training facility is used as part of a Military Operations on Urban
Terrain (MOUT)
or Combined Arms Collective Training Facility (CACTF) to simulate the desired
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objective. Additionally, the exterior of each modular unit 150 may include
brick and
mortar to create a realistic tactical training facility. In another
embodiment, the
modular unit 150 may be configured for simulated munitions, such as
paintballs. In
this embodiment, the lightweight walls may be used in place of the bullet
containment walls.
[0019] Each modular unit 150 typically includes several subsystems for
providing
a controlled environment within the modular unit 150. For example, each
modular
unit 150 may have a subsystem 195, such as closed circuit television (CCT),
computer controlled targetry arrangement, sound effects, power, and an airflow
ceiling ventilation system. Typically, each subsystem is integral to the
modular unit
150 and is connected via an umbilical cord 180 to a central control module in
a
control room 175. In another embodiment, each modular unit 150 is connected to
the control room 175 through a wireless network. The subsystems may also be
connected to an after action review (AAR)/classroom space, as well as
mechanical/electrical units that are configured to meet each application's
requirements. The subsystem arrangement allows the modular unit 150 to be
mobile and affords the end-user a plug and play product.
[0020] The RATPAC 100 may include the capability of integral breaching walls
185 and doors 190 to gain entry to the modular unit 150 and/or individual
rooms to
add realism to the training session. The interior and exterior "breach panels"
simulating walls 185 and doors 190 are substituted for the standard armor
panels, at
predetermined entry points, allowing for demolition effects simulator (DES) or
mechanical breaching techniques without damaging the modular unit 150. In
addition, each modular unit 150 offers the added realism of traditional height
ceilings
and an airflow ceiling ventilation system, thereby reducing the Surface danger
Zone
(SDZ) footprint and encroachment or noise issues. Further, each modular unit
150
includes room sizes that can be configured to match the required tactical
scenario,
as well as flexibility afforded by portable target systems that are easily
relocated/reprogrammed to change training scenarios.
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[0021] Figure 2 is a view illustrating the first floor of the RATPAC 100 in
Figure 1
and Figure 3 is a view illustrating the second floor of the RATPAC 100 in
Figure 1.
As shown in Figure 2, the RATPAC 100 includes two modular units 150 side by
side
and as shown in Figure 3 a single modular unit 150 on the second floor. As
clearly
shown in Figures 2 and 3, each modular unit 150 has the same exterior
dimensions.
In other words, each modular unit 150 has the same structural footprint,
thereby
allowing the modular unit 150 to be arranged in numerous configurations. As
previously described, each modular unit 150 includes a number of subsystems
that
are interconnected with other modular units to form a single unit. The single
unit is
connected to the control room 175 via the cord 180, thereby allowing the
single unit
to be controlled at one location.
[0022] Although the RATPAC 100 in Figures 1-3 illustrates a three module unit
arrangement, the RATPAC 100 is scaleable from a single module arrangement to a
multiple module arrangement with practically limitless floor plan
possibilities.
Additionally, the RATPAC 100 may be configured as a high rise building
arrangement with multiple stories, thereby allowing the integration of
rappelling and
tactical training in a realistic setting using a single facility. Furthermore,
the
RATPAC 100 may include interior/exterior stairs and balconies, rappel points,
and
large open rooms to create a realistic tactical training facility.
[0023] In one embodiment, multiple RATPAC 100 buildings may be combined to
create a live-fire Combined Arms Collective Training Facility (CACTF) capable
of
providing culminating urban operations training that was previously
accomplished
through an Urban Assault Course, a Shoot House, and Breach Facilities
separately.
A CACTF constructed using modular units 150 allows multiple units to train
simultaneously on the collective tasks of breaching, tactical movement, target
engagement and discrimination, building entry, and room clearance in a live-
fire
environment, wherein each modular unit 150 includes a bullet containment
frame.
Additionally, the multi-story RATPAC buildings can be constructed with rooftop
over
watch positions to allow the incorporation of elements such as command and
control
and security into the aforementioned live-fire training scenarios.
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[00241 To develop an appropriate configuration to meet specific
mission/training
scenario requirements, 3 dimensional (3-D) computer simulations are conducted.
Commercially available engineering architectural software, enhanced with
proprietary programming, enables construction and viewing of the facility in a
virtual
world from a site perspective. Walk-thoughs, fly-overs, and rotational views
through
3-D animation enable the trainer to review the "completed" facility early in
the design
phase, to ensure targetry location, functionaility, and training realism prior
to
finalizing the site detail design and tendering construction.
[0025] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present
invention,
other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without
departing
from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the
claims that
follow.
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