Hunter-Killer Research Program

Human-machine systems for light infantry must be designed to support the natural decision cycles of the warfighter — enhancing recognition, enabling rapid simulation, and preserving adaptive capacity — while minimizing disruptive cognitive overhead…..

Overview:

The Lightfighter Hunter-Killer Research Program is an applied research initiative designed to enhance the Cognitive Dominance of light infantrymen. This program focuses on human-machine systems and how they interact with light infantry tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), We do this through structured experimentation, where our researchers observe live-fire or simulated force-on-force warfighter exercises, identifying moments where operators make significant perceptual, tactical, or strategic decisions.

Following operations, researchers and participants conduct structured sensemaking sessions, where LFSG researchers record and categories rich data in context for further analysis at the system level, recognizing that humans, machines, and environments create collective decision architectures. Lightfighter survivability and success depend on the resilience of these distributed systems under combat stress and our researchers specialize in uncovering those architectures for further support and enhancement.

This methodology serves as the first layer of needs analysis within the broader Lightfighter Research Model.

By capturing and mapping naturalistic decision-making, we can systematically identify:

  • Training gaps requiring development.

  • Material limitations necessitating new equipment or interface designs.

  • Conceptual gaps that demand doctrinal adaptation to include organizational structure modifications.

  • Opportunities for human-machine architectures to offload cognitive labor without disrupting operator flow.

Structured Experimentation

Utilizing the capabilities of warfighter Battle Labs and Live-Fire Battle Labs, the program provides a framework for systematic training and testing of Hunter-Killer concepts and technologies.

Our field researchers collect extensive performance data while shadowing warfighters while they operate. This enables our analysis of Lightfighters natural decision making, tactics, techniques, and procedures, as well as technologies. This data is instrumental in refining concepts and making informed decisions regarding further Concept, capability, training or doctrine development.

Our researchers also facilitate after-action reviews (AARs) to evaluate the outcomes of experimentation events. The insights gained from these reviews inform future experimentation objectives and guide the iterative development of TTPs, weapon systems, and technologies.

Experimentation Research Events:

LFSG conducts structured Experimentation Research Events to validate tactics, techniques, procedures (TTPs), equipment, and organizational concepts through field-tested, evidence-based methods. These events support LFSG’s mission to ensure all recommendations are grounded in real-world performance, not theoretical assumptions.

Experimentation events follow a progressive methodology, moving from technical validation to tactical evaluation, culminating in immersive force-on-force testing:

Limited Technical Assessments (LTAs): Conducts LTAs to evaluate the technical performance of new equipment or technologies. These assessments precede Limited Objective Experiments (LOEs) and focus on verifying whether the technology meets its intended purpose before being tested in tactical contexts.

Limited Objective Experiments (LOEs): Executes LOEs to assess the utility of experimental TTPs and equipment within tactical scenarios. This allows for practical testing of innovations identified during LTAs, ensuring that each tactic or piece of equipment is rigorously evaluated within a controlled environment, enhancing its viability for real-world application.

Simulation Warfighting Exercises: Utilize live, Force-on-Force (FoF) immersive wargaming over days/ weeks with live participants to simulate continuous tactical operations under realistic combat conditions. Unlike LTA’s or LOE’s, FoF wargaming emphasizes decision-making, endurance, and adaptive behavior over time. These research experiments stress test not only technology and TTP’s but also the cohesion and resilience of warfighters and their units during Multi-Domain Operations. This semi-structured, free-play method provides unmatched insight into human factors, systems integration, and operational tempo.

Objectives Include:

Validation of Warfighting Concepts: Both the Patrol Battle Lab and Live-Fire Battle Lab serve to validate experimental tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), human-machine teaming architectures, and material capabilities, ensuring they are effective and suitable for integration into real-world operations. By conducting both simulated Force-On Force and live-fire exercises, each battle lab evaluates how emerging warfighting concepts perform in dynamic, combat-like conditions.

Advancing Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs): The program is dedicated to the continuous improvement of light infantry Hunter-Killer TTPs by conducting rigorous research and experimentation. This commitment helps ensure that our United States Light Infantry forces (Army & Marine) remain agile and effective in the face of evolving threats.

Assessment of Weapon Systems and Technologies: Focused on validating the effectiveness of weapon systems and associated technologies, the Live-Fire Battle Lab ensures that innovations meet operational requirements before being fielded. This validation is crucial for maintaining the readiness and effectiveness of light infantry forces.

Collaboration with Material and Capabilities Developers: The Patrol Battle Lab serves as a vital partner for material and capabilities developers. By engaging in joint research and development (R&D) efforts, developers can leverage the insights gained from our battle lab experiments to enhance military capabilities and operations significantly.