The Army has been training women soldiers to operate the Hummer combat
vehicle in urban warfare missions. A military statement said the training
has been facilitated by the use of the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement
System, or MILES, developed by Lockheed Martin.
"The training they provide includes how to drive a Hummer on various
surfaces and landscapes, avoiding the enemy line of fire, and operating the
Hummer using various systems," the military said. "The IDF's Hummer
Operators Unit is the only all-female unit of Hummer operators in any army
in the world."
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In a statement on July 10, the military said the army was training only
women to operate the U.S.-operated Hummer, also known as the Humvee and
operated in Afghanistan and Iraq, Middle East Newsline reported. The military said the Hummer Operator Unit
receives a new group of combat soldiers every week to learn how to drive the
2.4-ton vehicle.
"The operators take part and participate in the battalion and brigade
exercises just like any soldier," the military said.
MILES has been deployed to help Hummer operators respond to live fire
and other urban attacks. The military said the system used lasers and other
sensors to replace ammunition, with different colors signifying a hit.
"Red means that the vehicle has been struck severely — for example, if
the vehicle has been shot in the motor," the military said. "Green means
lightly hit — for example, if the vehicle has been hit in the wheel.
Through this laser system, the operators are able to effectively simulate a
combat experience as closely as possible."