Umpire Controller Gun (UCG)
The UCG uses the following two communication media to accomplish its tasks:
- laser coded beams (when affecting equipment from a distance), and
- optical communication (through the opto-port or the IR link when used from close proximity – less than 0.75 metres).
Once the proper settings are displayed on the UCG menu, aligning the opto port of the UCG with that of the target equipment (e.g. projector or harness) and pulling the trigger of the UCG will program the equipment to the desired settings or obtain information from the equipment. A recess on the opto port area of the UCG is made to help it align with the corresponding notch on the opto port of the target equipment.
The UCG is fitted with a pistol grip and a shoulder strap. It has a LCD display, which has a built in light for viewing at night, and displays all the relevant operational information. An optional standard scope can be attached to the UCG sights for aiming.
The Umpire Controller Gun also has the capacity to simulate weapons or mines, by generating kill, near miss and reset codes to assist exercise controllers with the management of the training exercise.
Typical usage of the UCG is as follows:
- Prior to commencement of an exercise, the opto-port is used to program each combatant’s harness, mine simulators, vehicle equipment, etc. to set the clock, clear its memory, and initiate recording of the laser strike data. Also, the opto-port is used to program all laser projectors attached to combatant’s weapons to simulate the type of weapons in use.
- During the exercise, the laser capability of the UCG is used to simulate a “kill”, “near miss”, “injury”, etc or area weapons. Also, the “killed” or “injured” harnesses/vehicles can be reset to rejoin the exercise.
- Post exercise: the opto-port is used to extract recorded data from combatant’s harnesses/vehicle equipment and then to transfer this data to the PC running CAS software for analysis and printing reports.
The UCG Menu System.
The UCG menu system is layered, i.e., the underlying menus can be accessed from the menu above it in the hierarchy. The following major menus are available (menus can be changed according to customer requirements):
The UCG menu system is easily navigated and values changed with the help of keypad keys and display screen which also provides online cues / hints.
Pulling the Trigger performs the displayed function screen task and a piezo sound and LED flash indication is given for the action performed.
