Barry K Williams

Sapper Lane Assault Marking System Barry K Williams

Publisher Marketing: The purpose of this study is to ascertain whether the Sapper Lane Assault Marking System (SLAMS) will enhance light infantry and the light combat engineer's capability to standardize minefield marking. It was hypothesized that SLAMS is a critical asset for providing rapid and deliberate minefield marking of obstacles on restrictive and severely restrictive terrain for light infantry and light combat engineers on the battlefield. The study explains the rationale behind the construction and the employment of SLAMS on today's battlefield. The study also discusses the importance of SLAMS' integration into the light community and how SLAMS serves as a combat multiplier for light combat engineers and light infantry leaders. A survey was administered to a group of subject matter experts comprising infantry and engineer leaders, the U. S. Army Engineer School, and personnel assigned to the combat training centers (CTC). Results of the survey are analyzed and discussed. The study concludes that SLAMS can enhance light infantry and light combat engineer's capabilities to provide rapid and deliberate minefield marking of obstacles. SLAMS' lightweight and day and night capability appealed to leaders in the field. However, more testing and observations must be conducted before SLAMS is fielded for use on the battlefield.