Abstract:
The present invention is generally directed to a reconfigurable armored unit for use in training exercises. In one aspect, a reconfigurable training facility is provided. The reconfigurable training facility includes a first modular unit. The reconfigurable training facility further includes a second modular unit, wherein each modular unit includes a frame with corner connection members and a grid system, whereby the corner connection members are used to connect the modular units together and whereby the grid system is used to selectively support a plurality of panels. In another aspect, a modular unit for use in a reconfigurable training facility is provided. In yet another aspect, a method of forming a reconfigurable training facility is provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/283,630, filed on Nov. 21, 2005, now abandoned which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a training facility for military and law enforcement personnel. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention pertain to a reconfigurable armored unit for use in training exercises. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     To maintain proficiency in the use of firearms, typically military and law enforcement personnel engage in target practice. Traditionally, target practice has been conducted on a range in which targets were placed a distance away from the shooter. However, target practice on a range does not adequately train military and law enforcement personnel for many real life situations. Therefore, structures that include ballistic walls in arrangements to resemble a house or other building were formed. These structures, typically referred to as shoot houses, enable military and law enforcement personnel to train in situations in which the officer faces realistic threats to their safety. 
     Traditional shoot houses were originally constructed out of concrete, gravel filled walls, or tire walls. While these shoot houses provided a marked improvement over traditional training at a target range, they still do not feel as realistic as conventional looking walls. 
     As technology improved, the traditional shoot house became more sophisticated. Today, as part of most military and law enforcement training scenarios, dynamic encounters, while either moving or against moving “Friend-Foe” targets in realistic settings, are required. Currently, military and law enforcement personnel use a variety of facilities including automated and non-automated static ranges, convoy training structures, and shoot houses to fulfill their training requirements. 
     Combat veterans and progressive training instructors have acknowledged that the human body and mind have predictable, instinctive responses to surprise and lethal threats. While the basics of weapons handling and marksmanship are important skills for all shooters, they are not the basis for success during most lethal encounters involving the defensive use of a firearm. Trainees are much more likely to be caught off-guard by an aggressive attacker in close quarters and low light conditions than when “confronted” by a simulated lethal threat in broad daylight standing 25 yards in front of an earthen berm. 
     An environment that accurately recreates situational realism is requisite to firearms/tactical training programs, especially with the shift in doctrine to urban training to support the global war on terror and to allow our war fighters to train as they fight. As such, static (non-automated) outdoor ranges with permanent target positions are least desirable to meet the changing mission requirements for these training exercises. With regard to tactical training, the traditional shoot house is also not fully adequate or desirable because of life cycle costs and lack of an opposing force in live training scenarios. Further, the traditional shoot house requires significant design time and construction efforts to erect. Furthermore, the traditional shoot house lacks flexibility in modifying training scenarios once erected. Additionally, the traditional shoot house lacks realism for today&#39;s training mission requirements. Also, the traditional shoot house includes a large surface danger zone (SDZ) footprint. In addition, the traditional shoot house typically raises encroachment, nuisance, and/or noise issues. Furthermore, traditional shoot houses typically have an open top due to air quality issues among other things. Therefore, there is a need for an improved shoot house arrangement 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to a reconfigurable armored unit for use in training exercises. In one aspect, a reconfigurable training facility is provided. The reconfigurable training facility includes a first modular unit. The reconfigurable training facility further includes a second modular unit, wherein each modular unit includes a frame with corner connection members and a grid system, whereby the corner connection members are used to connect the modular units together and whereby the grid system is used to selectively support a plurality of panels. 
     In another aspect, a modular unit for use in a reconfigurable training facility is provided. The modular unit includes a portable structural member having corner connection members that are configured to be interconnectable with another portable structural member. The modular unit further includes a plurality of composite panels mounted on a grid system in the portable structural member, wherein the panels are reconfigurable on the grid system between a first training scenario configuration and a second training scenario configuration. 
     In yet another aspect, a method of forming a reconfigurable training facility is provided. The method includes positioning a first modular unit at a predetermined location, the first modular unit having corner connection members. The method further includes positioning a second modular unit adjacent the first modular unit, the second modular unit having corner connection members. Furthermore, the method includes connecting at least two corner connection members in the first modular unit with at least two corner connection members in the second modular unit to form a first training scenario configuration. The method also includes disconnecting the corner connection members in the modular units. Additionally, the method includes repositioning the second modular unit relative to the first modular unit and connecting at least two corner connection members in each modular unit to form a second training scenario configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a view illustrating one embodiment of a reconfigurable armored tactical personnel and collective training facility (RATPAC) for live training exercises. 
         FIG. 2  is a view illustrating the first floor of the RATPAC in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating the second floor of the RATPAC in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of corner connection members with a clamping member. 
         FIG. 5  is a view illustrating two modular units in a stacked configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view illustrating the corner connection members with a lock member. 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the modular unit with several panels removed. 
         FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a frame structure of the modular unit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to a modular unit for use in force-on-force training exercises in order to train fighters as they fight. Various terms as used herein are defined below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term, as reflected in printed publications and issued patents. In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawings may be, but are not necessarily, to scale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features described below. One of normal skill in the art of shoot houses will appreciate that the various embodiments of the invention can and may be used in all types of shoot houses. 
       FIG. 1  is a view illustrating one embodiment of a reconfigurable armored tactical personnel and collective training facility (RATPAC)  100  for live training exercises. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the RATPAC  100  includes three modular units  150  configured in a cluster. It is to be understood, however, that the RATPAC  100  may include any number of modular units without departing from principles of the present invention. For ease of explanation, the invention will be described generally as it relates to a single building structure. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may be employed in any number of building structures without departing from principles of the present invention. 
     The modular units  150  in the RATPAC  100  are configured to construct the tactical training facility. Each modular unit  150  is portable, thereby allowing the RATPAC  100  to be reconfigured with minimal effort. For illustrative purposes, the roof on each modular unit  150  has been removed. The modular unit  150  is made from a frame and panel construction. As shown, the interior of each modular unit  150  may be configured with various features, such as windows, doors, stairwells, walls, and hallways but the overall structure of each modular unit  150  is constructed to a predetermined standard design or structural foot pattern. For instance, each modular unit  150  includes a standard width and a standard length. Additionally, the modular unit  150  includes a vertical support structure  160  at each corner that is interconnected with horizontal support structures  130 ,  135 . As illustrated, each support structure  160  includes a corner connection member  105  at an upper end and a lower end. In one embodiment, the corner connection member  105  is a corner casting in order to facilitate the use of ISO-3874 connectors. The standard design allows each modular unit  150  to be arranged in a side by side configuration or in a stacked configuration by connecting the corner connection members  105  without substantially modifying the modular unit  150 . Additionally, the standard design allows the modular unit  150  to be prefabricated prior to assembly of the RATPAC  100 , thereby reducing the design and construction efforts. Another benefit of a standard design is that the modular unit  150  may be disassembled and reconfigured with minimal effort, thereby adding flexibility in modifying training scenarios once erected. In one embodiment, the modular unit is containerized. For instance, the modular unit is built on ISO 1486-1 container concepts, with foldable frames for flat-pack shipping. In addition, other features, such as an exterior stairway  165  may be added to the RATPAC  100  to create the realistic tactical training facility. Exterior landing for stairway may be hinged to frame  125  to facilitate set-up and reconfiguration. 
     Generally, each modular unit  150  includes interior and exterior panels that consist of standard dimension panels mounted on a grid system. The interior and exterior panels may include solid panels (single and double sided), window panels, door panels, with or without breach capabilities. The interior of each modular unit  150  includes bullet containment walls configured to allow live training within the modular unit  150 . More specifically, the walls in each modular unit  150  include armored panels and/or armored ballistic panels to maintain the integrity of the walls when rounds are shot in the modular unit  150 . The exterior facades of each modular unit  150  can also be mounted on the grid system to provide additional realism when the RATPAC  100  training facility is used as part of a Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) or Combined Arms Collective Training Facility (CACTF) to simulate the desired objective. Additionally, the exterior of each modular unit  150  may include brick and mortar to create a realistic tactical training facility. In another embodiment, the modular unit  150  may be configured for simulated munitions, such as paintballs. In this embodiment, the lightweight walls may be used in place of the bullet containment walls, 
     The modular unit  150  may also be configured for simulated munitions, such as biodegradable marking projectiles, such as dye marking rounds. The use of biodegradable marking projectiles allow the environmental impacts to be minimized, while offering realistic training. A traditional drawback to dye marking rounds is that the dye marking rounds cannot penetrate the walls like small arms rounds. To overcome this deficiency, the modular unit  150  may include a shoot-through panel (or wall). The shoot-through panel looks similar to the other panels but is constructed with skins that allow through wall penetration of dye marking rounds. 
     Each modular unit  150  typically includes several subsystems for providing a controlled environment within the modular unit  150 . For example, each modular unit  150  may have a subsystem  195 , such as closed circuit television (CCT) either wall or ceiling mounted, or embedded within a composite wall panel to afford eye-level recording of human factor elements, computer controlled targetry arrangement, sound effects, power, smoke, smell and an airflow ceiling ventilation system. Typically, each subsystem is integral to the modular unit  150  and is connected via an umbilical cord  180  to a central control module in a control room  175 . In another embodiment, each modular unit  150  is connected to the control room  175  through a wireless network. The subsystems may also be connected to an after action review (AAR)/classroom space, as well as mechanical/electrical units that are configured to meet each application&#39;s requirements. The subsystem arrangement allows the modular unit  150  to be mobile and affords the end-user a plug and play product. 
     The RATPAC  100  may include the capability of integral breaching walls  185  and doors  190  to gain entry to the modular unit  150  and/or individual rooms to add realism to the training session. The interior and exterior “breach panels” simulating walls  185  and doors  190  are substituted for the standard armor panels, at predetermined entry points, allowing for demolition effects simulator (DES) or mechanical breaching techniques without damaging the modular unit  150 . In addition, each modular unit  150  offers the added realism of traditional height ceilings and an active ventilation system, thereby reducing the (SDZ) footprint and encroachment or noise issues. Further, each modular unit  150  includes room sizes that can be configured to match the required tactical scenario, as well as flexibility afforded by portable target systems  120  that are easily relocated/reprogrammed to change training scenarios. In one embodiment, the target systems  120  include an image that changes between a friend scenario and a foe scenario. In this embodiment, the target system  120  may include a board member that rotates about an axis point, wherein one face of the board includes a friend image and another face of the board includes a foe image. In another embodiment, the target system  120  may include a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) targetry system, such as computerized image targetry or instrumentation. 
       FIG. 2  is a view illustrating the first floor of the RATPAC  100  in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  is a view illustrating the second floor of the RATPAC  100  in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the RATPAC  100  includes two modular units  150  side by side and as shown in  FIG. 3  a single modular unit  150  on the second floor. As clearly shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each modular unit  150  has the same exterior dimensions. In other words, each modular unit  150  has the same structural footprint, thereby allowing the modular unit  150  to be arranged in numerous configurations. As previously described, each modular unit  150  includes a number of subsystems that are interconnected with other modular units to form a single unit. The single unit is connected to the control room  175  via the cord  180 , thereby allowing the single unit to be controlled at one location. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the corner connection members  105  of the two modular units  150  are connected together by a clamping member  110 , such as a bridge fitting.  FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of the corner connection members  105 . After the modular units  150  are positioned adjacent each other, a first end of the clamping member  110  is placed within the corner connection member  105  of one modular unit  150  and a second end of the clamping member  110  is placed within the corner connection member  105  of the other modular unit  150 . Thereafter, the clamping member  110  is manipulated in order to connect the corner connection members  105 , thereby interconnecting the two modular units  150 . In this arrangement, the two modular units  150  are connected together without welding. It is to be noted that the clamping member  110  is releasable which allows the two modular units  150  to be separated, repositioned and subsequently reconnected in a different training configuration. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates two modular units  150  in a stacked configuration. For convenience, the components in  FIG. 5  that are similar to the components in  FIGS. 1-4  will be labeled with the same number indicator. As shown in  FIG. 5 , one modular unit  150  is stacked on top of another modular unit  150  and the corner connection members  105  are connected together by a lock member  115 , such as a twistlock stacker. As also shown in  FIG. 5 , the modular units  150  are designed to allow vertical access with the use of a stairway  220  or other vertical access members, such as ladders or hatches. A vertical opening may be centered on either side of the modular unit  150 . Further, when the vertical opening is not in use, the opening may be sealed off with filler plates  230 . This arrangement allows the modular unit  150  to be reconfigured from side to side, as well as end to end to change the direction of the stairway  220 . Additionally, the stairway  220  is man-portable, and can be reconfigured without heavy equipment. 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the corner connection members  105  with the lock member  115 . After the modular units  150  are positioned in a stacked configuration, a first portion of the lock member  115  is placed within the corner connection member  105  of one modular unit  150  and a second portion of the lock member  115  is placed within the corner connection member  105  of the other modular unit  150 . Thereafter, the lock member  115  is manipulated in order to secure the corner connection members  105 , thereby interconnecting the modular units  150 . In this arrangement, the two modular units  150  are connected together and may also be disconnected by releasing the lock member  115  to allow the modular units  150  to be separated, repositioned and subsequently reconnected in a different training configuration. 
       FIG. 7  is a view of the modular unit  150  with several panels removed. For convenience, the components in  FIG. 7  that are similar to the components in  FIGS. 1-4  will be labeled with the same number indicator. Each modular unit  150  may include interior panels  205  and exterior panels  210  that are mounted on a grid system  215 . The interior and/or exterior panels  205 ,  210  may include solid panels, window panels, and door panels, with or without breach capabilities. In one embodiment, the panels  205 ,  210  include bullet containment walls configured to allow live-fire within the modular unit  150 . In another embodiment, the modular unit  150  may be configured for simulated munitions, such as paintballs. In this embodiment, the interior and/or exterior panels  205 ,  210  may be made from a lightweight material instead of a heavy material that is used with the bullet containment walls. In a further embodiment, the interior and/or exterior panels  205 ,  210  may be made from a composite, non-metallic construction. For instance, the interior and/or exterior panels  205 ,  210  may be made from a color-molded/textured fiber-reinforced plastic skin, over a plywood/honeycomb core. The interior and/or exterior panels  210 ,  215  may also be made from Kevlar® or other synthetic ballistic materials. 
     The interior and/or exterior panels  205 ,  210  may also include an edge detail that consists of an extruded edge section, which may be bonded to the panel in order to provide a weather tight fit of the panel components and a weather tight fit with the other panels and the grid system  215 . Further, the interior and/or exterior panels  205 ,  210  may be corrosion resistant, lightweight, and strong and may allow for simple wipe-down cleaning if the training includes dye marking cartridges. 
     The interior and/or exterior panels  205 ,  210  may be configured as shoot-through wall panels which include an aluminum frame with a synthetic material cover. The synthetic material cover is releasably connected to the aluminum frame and may be replaced with another synthetic material cover. In one embodiment, the shoot through wall panels may be used with biodegradable marking projectiles. Additionally, it is to be noted that the interior and/or exterior panels  205 ,  210  are man-portable, and can be reconfigured without tools. 
       FIG. 8  is a view illustrating a frame structure  125  of the modular unit  150 . For convenience, the components in  FIG. 8  that are similar to the components in  FIGS. 1-4  will be labeled with the same number indicator. The frame structure  125  may be made from a metal, such as steel. As shown, the frame  125  structure includes the vertical support structures  160  interconnected with the horizontal support structures  130 ,  135 . As also shown, the frame  125  includes the corner connection members  105  at each corner. Further, the frame structure  150  includes the grid system  215  to mount the panels which are interchangeable and can be mounted on interior partitions or exterior walls. Furthermore, the frame  125  may optionally include a lower floor  140 , an upper floor  145  and rails  155 . The frame  125  may also include mounting ports for the rails  155  and integral rappel points. This allows roof-top access for sniper/training exercises, as well as rappelling down the modular units  150  through the windows. 
     The frame  125  does not require a permanent foundation. The contact points on the frame structure  125  are the corner connection members  105 . The frame structure  125  is self supporting and can be assembled on any firm level surface. For installations on compacted gravel or soil, an optional bearing plate may be placed under the lower corner connection members  105 . Additionally, it is to be noted that the lower floor  140  is spaced apart from the ground (or firm level surface). 
     Although the RATPAC  100  in the Figures illustrates a two or three module unit arrangement, the RATPAC  100  is scaleable from a single module arrangement to a multiple module arrangement with practically limitless floor plan possibilities. Additionally, the RATPAC  100  may be configured as a high rise building arrangement with multiple stories, thereby allowing the integration of rappelling and tactical training in a realistic setting using a single facility. Furthermore, the RATPAC  100  may include interior/exterior stairs and balconies, rappel points, and large open rooms to create a realistic tactical training facility. 
     In one embodiment, multiple RATPAC  100  buildings may be combined to create a live-fire Combined Arms Collective Training Facility (CACTF) capable of providing culminating urban operations training that was previously accomplished through an Urban Assault Course, a Shoot House, and Breach Facilities separately. A CACTF constructed using modular units  150  allows multiple units to train simultaneously on the collective tasks of breaching, tactical movement, target engagement and discrimination, building entry, and room clearance in a live-fire environment, wherein each modular unit  150  includes a bullet containment frame. Additionally, the multi-story RATPAC buildings can be constructed with rooftop over watch positions to allow the incorporation of elements such as command and control and security into the aforementioned live-fire training scenarios. 
     To develop an appropriate configuration to meet specific mission/training scenario requirements, 3 dimensional (3-D) computer simulations are conducted. Commercially available engineering architectural software, enhanced with proprietary programming, enables construction and viewing of the facility in a virtual world from a site perspective. Walk-throughs, fly-overs, and rotational views through 3-D animation enable the trainer to review the “completed” facility early in the design phase, to ensure targetry location, functionality, and training realism prior to finalizing the site detail design and tendering construction. 
     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.