MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- In recent years, rapid technological advancements have changed the character of modern warfare, providing our adversaries an asymmetric tactical edge, and challenging our ability to deter aggression.
To mitigate this risk, the Department of Defense’s 2022 National Defense Strategy called on the Joint Forces to shift its focus towards innovation, urging military leadership to rapidly develop new technologies such as advanced computing, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, autonomy, robotics, directed energy, hypersonics, and biotechnology.
Although this has led to the creation of countless ground-breaking new systems – helping prepare the Corps for the future of warfare – it has also driven the acquisitions experts at Marine Corps Systems Command to field new gear that directly affects how Marines fight on the modern battlefield.
One example of this is the fielding of the Instrument Set, Reconnaissance, and Surveying toolset – or ENFIRE 9.0 -- a tactical engineering tool kit designed to modernize the collection and dissemination of engineer information to help route reconnaissance in combat.
“In basic terms, the ENFIRE system provides commanders with geospatial engineering or geospatial intelligence of the AOR in which they’re working,” said MSgt. Andrew Dorf, project officer for Explosive Hazard Defeat at Logistics Combat Element Systems. “Marines no longer have to go into an area blind.”
In a wartime environment, the warfighter can use his ENFIRE 9.0 toolkit to gather and analyze location-based data, such as topography, terrain features, and structures, to plan and execute operations more effectively. Furthermore, the toolkit helps identify potential hazards and obstacles, thus allowing Marines to navigate the battlefield safely.
“This technology directly supports the assured mobility of the follow-on forces,” explained Rick Daley, Product Manager for Explosive Hazard Defeat at Logistics Combat Element Systems. “The engineers on the ground with this capability can now map, conduct bridge span estimates, and even mark ammunition stockpiles. At the end of the day, this enhances safety by providing a perceived safe passage through the area of operation.”
Furthermore, the toolkit allows engineers to do their job more effectively by enabling them to spend a fraction of the time in contested areas than before ENFIRE 9.0 was fielded. The collected data is now more accurate and can be shared with decision-makers in near real-time.
“You have to remember that engineers would previously be collecting data with tape measures and sketch pads,” said Daley. “Now they’re using lasers, laser rangefinders, cameras, video recorders, and so much more, allowing them to capture a lot more data while still getting out of danger much more quickly.”
Because many of the toolkit’s elements are actually commercial off-the-shelf products, Dorf added that ENFIRE systems can be easily modernized and upgraded over time.
Currently, the team is waiting for after action reports from Marine battalions running operations in Northern Europe, but Daley believes there’s a “big appetite” from commanders who want their own toolkit. Luckily, ENFIRE 9.0 is currently fully funded in POM 23, and Dorf expects the remainder of the systems to begin fielded by June 2023.
But the ENFIRE 9.0 team is providing more than just a state-of-the-art geospatial toolkit; its showing how cross-service cooperation in the acquisition’s world can get gear in the warfighter’s hand quicker while saving the taxpayer money.
“As you know, ENFIRE is an Army program of record,” said Dorf. “Working with the Army Geospatial Center has allowed us to save significantly on research and development costs while putting the right product in the warfighter’s hands.
“Collaboration with the Army has been key,” said Daley. “We’ve been able to take advantage of research and development investments that increase the return on investment for ENFIRE and the Corps.”
Nevertheless, Dorf believes there is still room for improvement and that increased collaboration is necessary for ENFIRE to truly be effective.
“ENFIRE is a phenomenal tool for any mobility unit across the Marine Corps, but ultimately the tool is only as good as the information being passed along,” said Dorf. “At the end of the day, we’re fighting the same war and there’s a good chance we won’t get the full picture unless we’re actively sharing data.”
But there’s no denying the team’s hard work is paying off.
“There’s always room for improvement, but don’t forget the biggest complaint just a few years ago was connectivity. Marines actually had to burn information onto a CD and carry it directly to their Commanding Officer. Today that would be unheard of,” said Daley.
“People often complain that the acquisition process is slow and arduous, but we’re finding ways to ensure the warfighter has what he needs when he needs it,” said Dorf. “At the end of the day, our mission is to field safe, reliable and supportable systems.”