Fires Forces (AAMDC, DIVARTY, ADA BDE, FA BDE, BCT FA BN) lack the ability to effectively and efficiently maintain accurate position and orientation control of its firing platforms, munitions, and sensor systems in all conditions (to include extended GPS denial) due to technological obsolescence of current systems in order to provide a common grid, common direction and single operational datum to allow massing of fires and engagement with precision munitions. A viable, expeditionary Survey Capability must be maintained by the Force in order to mitigate the vulnerability and potential loss of GPS. Our current primary survey system is the 'Improved Position Azimuth Determining System - GPS' (IPADS-G), which requires a dedicated vehicle mount (not dismountable @ 136 lbs), is training intensive (13T MOS - divested in FY18), and is rapidly reaching obsolescence ($52M sustainment UFR in POM 19-23). IPADS-G becomes fiscally unsupportable by FY22-24.

Replacement system has been identified - called the Lightweight Azimuth Determining System (LADS). A light-weight, man-portable field survey capability which reduces operational and training burdens to the Force (smaller/lighter than the current IPADS - simple to operate). LADS meets the needs of FA Survey and all customers requiring precise and reliable survey. LADS is MOS and Vehicle Agnostic. Additionally, LADS is government owned and will utilize commercial off the shelf (COTS) components.

LADS is expected to be funded in FY22 with fielding to the Army beginning in FY23. This resolution emphasizes the need to insure concurrent and proportional fielding to the ARNG Fires formations, as expeditiously as possible.