Future officers of the Defense Forces learn to operate in battle not only with maps and mock‑ups, but also in a full-fledged tactical environment where every shot and miss is recorded electronically. At the Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy, the M.I.L.E.S. combat simulation system is used for this purpose, allowing units to train without live ammunition.
According to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, M.I.L.E.S. (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) is a complex of laser emitters mounted on weapons and hit sensors installed on soldiers’ gear. During training, a laser beam replaces a bullet: if the system registers a “hit,” the soldier immediately receives a signal indicating simulated injury, while instructors receive a record for later analysis.
At the academy, the system is used in tactical training of various levels — from practicing individual actions to two-sided company-level exercises and training in the “Urban Combat” training complex. The system tracks all movements, assault attempts, retreats, and mistakes of the cadets in real time, after which instructors can analyze everything frame by frame: who “hit” whom, where the unit stalled, and where it lost the initiative.
The key advantages of M.I.L.E.S. are safety and resource efficiency. Cadets train with standard weapons and gear but without live ammunition, which reduces risks for personnel and makes it possible to conduct more intensive training without additional costs for ammunition and range logistics. At the same time, the quality of training increases due to objective data: it is no longer possible to “forget” a failed maneuver or blame mistakes on a “misunderstanding.”
The concept of M.I.L.E.S. originated in the U.S. Armed Forces in the late 1970s as a way to simulate combat using laser emitters and sensors on soldiers and vehicles. The system quickly became a training standard in many armies worldwide and has been continuously updated — from early infantry kits to modern modules for armored vehicles and aircraft.
In Ukraine, local developers are also advancing laser-based combat simulation technologies built on the MILES concept. In particular, the U-Force research and manufacturing company develops trainers featuring M.I.L.E.S technology, VR simulators, interactive shooting ranges, and training complexes for units of the Defense Forces and training centers, helping gradually build a national live combat training infrastructure without relying solely on imported solutions.
