Enhancing Operational Readiness: The Vital Role of Ranges and Training Areas (RTA)

Article / April 22, 2024 / Project number: 24-002CADTC

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Throughout their career, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) soldiers train to ensure that they’re ready to operate in the most challenging environments and varying circumstances. Whether it is routine annual shooting ranges or a more intricate exercise, the significance of Ranges and Training Areas (RTAs) should not be overlooked. With no training areas, there is no training. With no training, there is no Canadian Army (CA).

RTAs encompass many facilities and terrains crucial for military training. These designated lands and facilities may include structured areas or may be undeveloped landscapes, often referred to as "the field." They serve as the essential foundation for perfecting the skills and capabilities of CAF personnel. Within the CAF, the management of the majority of RTAs falls under the scope of the Canadian Army Doctrine and Training Centre (CADTC) RTA Management Officer and the RTA Section.

Their responsibilities extend beyond supervising the ranges and training areas. Annual RTA inspections serve as a prime illustration of where CADTC sets the standards for the establishment of a range facility - for example, a grenade range. A Division RTA Inspector, part of the RTA Management, conduct regular checks on these facilities to ensure that they meet safety standards. If any repairs are needed, they are documented, If the facility is found unsafe, CADTC is notified; the range license is suspended until necessary repairs are completed.

The RTA Section plays a pivotal role in upholding CA RTA policies, such as the CA RTA Strategy, training safety manuals, and range construction guidelines. They ensure that policies and manuals are kept up to date for safe and effective training. Additionally, the section manages the Canadian Armed Forces Range Information System, which is the central repository for range licenses and operational requests. As the system of record, Canadian Armed Forces Range Information System contains critical information for safe and efficient use of each individual range. For example, the list of weapons and ammunition that is authorized for use in each area.

The CADTC RTA Section is currently updating the CA RTA Strategy, which will establish the framework for RTA management and development in the long term. The strategy will seek to create even more realistic training and challenge soldiers to improve their readiness. An example of this effort is the refinement of targets for live fire training. Traditional practices on standard ranges typically involve static targets from fixed positions. As soldiers achieve proficiency in basic marksmanship, their training progresses to live fire exercises incorporating movement, such as "jungle lanes," where soldiers advance through terrain while engaging targets that emerge from concealed locations.

Currently, this represents the most realistic form of live training, while simulation technologies like the Small Arms Trainer (SAT) offer an even more authentic environment with dynamic targets moving across the range. The future vision for live training within our RTAs involves replicating combat scenarios more accurately, including the integration of autonomous targets capable of independent movement and engagement at unpredictable times and locations. This concept forms part of an upcoming RTA Modernization initiative, which aims to enhance the realism of training exercises, thereby increasing the level of challenge for soldiers.

Establishment and stewardship of RTAs are essential to enable training required for a professional and competent military. These designated spaces are crucial for increasing the skills and capabilities of soldiers by providing a realistic environment to simulate combat scenarios. On behalf of the CAF, CADTC will continue to modernize RTA management and leverage technology for enhanced training realism. Effective management and strategic investment in RTA are not only essential for current operational requirements but are also critical for future readiness.

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