ACME Focuses on Realistic Recoil for Realistic Training: Recoil is such an integral element of firing projectile weapons that weapon trainers and simulators reap tremendous benefits from this system. Training with realistic recoil forces the trainee shooting a gun to anticipate and adapt to the recoil forces to keep the aiming point on target just as it’s required in the real world. The following is an overview of the Gun Simulators that we have design, developed and delivered. 

MCAT-P - Marine Common Aircrew Trainer:  ACME delivered a GAR™ for support for a follow-on project to Pathfinder Systems' Prototype Aviation Combat Crew Trainer(PACCT) SBIR. The MCAT is a training device capable of training aerial gunnery, external loads and crew-coordination for CH-46E, UH-1N, MV-22B and MH-53E aircrews. The MCAT-P provided the Marine Corps with the prototype training device to aid in the detailing of requirements for the MCAT. While future production MCATs may use a motion base, MCAT-P is a fixed-base prototype. The system will interoperate with the USMC's Tactical Environment Network to implement friendly and opposing forces. The MCAT-P was delivered to the Marine Corps Air Station, New River in August 2008. MCAT-P, as is, is a capable training device for aerial gunnery, crew coordination and external load operations.  Delivery of 275+ Raydon Type I MA-2 GARs:  ACME has delivered over 275 Type I GARs™ to Raydon for implementation into their training systems.  ACME successfully investigated, designed and manufactured 275 electro-mechanical GAR™ systems that represent the recoil of a 50-caliber machine gun. The guns were retrofit to fit into the existing Raydon gun mounts. The GAR™ systems were adjustable in order to modify the most effecive magnitude of recoil for a 50-caliber gun. Further detailed analysis reports gave Rates of Fire versus Recoil; Recoil Cycle Duration versus Recoil Magnitude; Effectiveness of Various Recoil Tracking Algorithms; and Evaluation of the Tested GAR™ design. CGAWT - U.S. Coast Guard Aircrew Weapons Trainer:  ACME is currently delivering Patherfinder an actual M249 retrofitted GAR™ for support on the Coast Guard Aerial Weapons Trainer. The CGAWT is a motion-based simulator supporting USCG armed helicopter aircrew training. It expands upon the Pathfinder repertoire of aircrew simulator capabilities. It will accommodate various on-board weapons employed by the Coast Guard, and it will be quickly convertible between the MH-60C and MH-60J aircraft. The CGAWT will be installed at the US Coast Guard Aviation Training center in Mobile, AL in 2009.

M4 Assault Rifle:  The M4 Gun Active Recoil (GAR™) program evolved from the M2 program as an effort to determine if an electo-mechanical recoil system was possible for the M4 rifle. The test program was to evaluate the viability of recoil system within the buttstock of the rifle that would eliminate current pneumatic systems. ACME successfully designed and produced two rapid prototypes to support Raydon’s desire to demonstrate the weapon to soldiers on site at a trade show. ACME proved that the concept was possible and created a full recoil system within the buttstock, produced removable batteries in the replicated weapons magazines, and produced the weapons on time for the demonstration. The M4 rifles use the identical navigation joysticks, weapon tracking cubes, trigger switches and many other components that will be required in the M4/203 and M249 weapons. The weapons were built with no tethering involved and contained a rechargeable battery power system. Further enhancements and refinements have been made since the original prototype was developed.

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