Earlier on TFB we reported on the transition from MILES to DISE within EUCOM. However, it must be noted that the MILES system is still in use, even if sparingly. In fact, during Swift Response ’16, a multi-national airborne training operation, we have seen some of the most recent usages of the updated versions of the MILES gear. Most of the upgrades appear to be in weight reduction, with soldiers carrying less cumbersome and bulky versions of the personally worn vest. However there is another introduction that has the MILES Small Arms Transmitter taking advantage of the picatinny rail installed on most of the U.S. Army’s weapon systems. From a distance the Small Arms Transmitter could easily be mistaken for a black PEQ15 ATPIAL instead of the training device that it is. Since the 1980s MILES has gone through a number of manufacturers throughout its design phases, however most recently Cubic Global Defense is providing the latest iterations of the design, to include the picatinny mounted Small Arms Transmitter. From Cubic Global Defense-

Compatible – Designed to interface with homestations, CTCs and Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) facilities.

Easy Alignment – Requires only seconds to align a weapon.

Less Equipment -The Small Arms Transmitter (SAT) can now be mounted directly to a picatinny rail or to a weapon’s barrel with a universal clamp.

Lighter Payload – Entire kit weighs < 3.5 lbs including batteries.

This is what the older models of MILES looked like-

A video review of the training operation-

During Swift Response ’16, MILES gear was used by a number of allied forces, to include American, Dutch, French, and British soldiers. The older method of attachment to the weapon was still present, but a number of troops were using the picatinny module over the older, barrel clamp module. Images are all from DVIDs-

Polish Paratrooper

French Paratrooper

British Paratrooper

French Paratrooper

Dutch Paratrooper

American Paratroopers