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By Patrick O’Malley
FORT BENNING, Ga., – The Machine Foreign Language Translation System (MFLTS) successfully demonstrated 2-way Speech Translation with foreign language speakers during the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment 2016 (AEWE).
MFLTS is a software product that provides a basic automated foreign speech and text translation capability that will be integrated into Army Tactical Systems, in order to augment and compliment limited human linguistic resources across all Army echelons in all environments. The open systems architecture enables continuous integration of additional language components (i.e. “language packs”) to meet the Army’s prioritized language translation requirements, resulting in an ever expanding portfolio of language translation resources. The MFLTS program is an incrementally deployed program that uses an evolutionary acquisition strategy to maximize the inherent advantages of product improvements and commercial best practices.
The AEWE is Training and Doctrine Command’s live, prototype experimentation campaign. It examines concepts and capabilities for the current and future force across all warfighting functions. The AEWE focuses on the Soldier and small unit, examining concepts and capabilities for the current and future force across all warfighting functions and doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel and facilities (DOTMLPF) domains. The AEWE places technologies, like MFLTS, into the hands of Soldiers and is the Army’s capstone event for investigation, experimentation and assessment of dismounted technologies, tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP), and emerging doctrinal concepts– informing critical Army decisions (such as structure, basis of issue plans, and leader development for the technology-enabled Infantry Rifle Company and subordinate elements). AEWE provides capability developers, the science and technology (S&T) community and industry a repeatable, credible, rigorous and validated operational experiment venue to support Doctrine, Organization, Training, and Leadership and Education (DOTL) concepts and materiel development efforts.
During the experiment, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) used the MFLTS 2-Way Speech-to-Speech Translation Application for Iraqi Arabic on the Nett Warrior (NW) End User Device (EUD) to assess the performance of the integrated application and peripheral devices consisting of different microphones and speakers. Soldiers from the 52nd Translator-Interpreter Company (TICO) at Ft Polk, LA; served as Iraqi role players in scenarios ranging from basic checkpoint and base security operations to tactical questioning. Both Translator-Interpreter Soldiers involved in the event, who recently returned from Iraq where they served as interpreters, believe that the MFLTS app would be a benefit to Soldiers involved in theater.
The NCOs used the MFLTS Application to communicate with the foreign language role players to complete basic tasks or to gather information from the local population. Staff Sgt. Steven Comeau, from the Exercise Force at Ft Benning, GA, stated, “In these tactical questioning scenarios, I understood what was needed. I liked having this application on NW; it was easy to use and effective. I felt that I could build rapport with the guy [foreign language speaker].”
“I see this app as ideal for basic communication and questioning when encountering the local population,” said Staff Sgt. Raymond Balona, from the Exercise Force “I like that the logs are automatically recorded on the EUD for later reference.”
One example scenario where Soldiers used MFLTS with good effect during AEWE was engagement with a foreign language truck driver who had information concerning the unit’s area of operations. Supported by an NCO equipped with the MFLTS app on the NW EUD, the Exercise Force Commander learned that the truck driver had recently delivered his cargo and visited his family in an area controlled by insurgents. The man showed the commander on a map where trucks driven by insurgents have been delivering construction supplies — an old airstrip a few kilometers from the unit’s position. With this information, the Commander was able to more effectively plan for the next day’s operation against the insurgents.
Besides assessment of the actual MFLTS Application on the NW EUD, Soldiers also used and evaluated three different peripheral microphone and speaker options. Soldiers assessed the peripherals on ease of use, microphone sensitivity, speaker volume, and overall combined performance with the software application. All of the peripheral options succeeded but with various pros and cons identified from the Soldiers, foreign language role players and AEWE observers. After further analysis of the data points, the Product Manager, Ground Soldier Systems (PdM, GSS) will make a determination on peripheral options for future fielding.
AEWE has proven again to be an excellent venue for Soldier feedback based on Soldier experiences in an operational environment established at FT Benning. With the knowledge gained at AEWE, MFLTS will confidently move forward with fielding of the MFLTS 2-way Speech Translation Application to NW in fall 2016.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]