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Vehicles in Kuwait get Movement Tracking System

by Bob Whistine

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (Army News Service, March 11, 2003) -- The Army's new Movement Tracking System, or MTS satellite technology, is being installed on hundreds of tactical wheeled vehicles in Kuwait.

The new system provides communications and tracking that will help direct the movement of combat-service-support assets in the theater of operations, officials said. It provides e-mail capability to drivers, and a compact computer screen displays a "rolling map" designed to let operators know exactly where they are at all times.

"MTS will help get logistics faster to where it needs to be to support the soldiers," said Robert Straub, deputy assistant project manager, Movement Tracking System for Program Manager, Logistics Information Systems.

A vast improvement over old line-of-sight communications, MTS offers numerous tactical advantages, according to Straub. For example, if a unit expecting supplies has moved or it is determined that another unit has a more urgent requirement for those supplies; a convoy can be sent an e-mail re-routing it to where it needs to be.

MTS can be installed on some vehicles in less than an hour.

"If I have two installers working on a HUMVEE, it normally takes less than an hour to install the system," Straub said. "Our goal is to place 1,700 systems; larger vehicles take longer because you have to drill holes to affix the equipment," he said.

MTS provides the capability to identify position, track progress and communicate with the operators. Through the use of positioning and commercial communication satellites, Straub said MTS provides the means for transportation movement control anywhere in the theater.

A recent test of the system demonstrated how quickly a commander could get in touch with his or her convoys. A transmission from Germany to Texas took less than 10 seconds to complete.

(Editor's note: Bob Whistine is the AMC Logistic Support Element PAO for Southwest Asia.)