The United States is sending Russia a laser system to be used in force-to-force training, Real Clear Defense reports.
The United States is not charging Russia for the system.
The Department of Energy’s fiscal year 2015 budget for the National Nuclear Security Admnistration includes a funding request to provide Russia with a Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System that will provide "protective force performance testing."
The system is essentially a laser tag system, according to Real Clear Defense.
MILES is essentially an advanced "laser tag" system, which uses a system of lasers and blank cartridges to simulate battle, especially for direct-fire force-on-force training. Cubic Defense Applications, which developed that latest version of MILES, says the system creates "a realistic tactical engagement simulation environment for soldiers and security forces training in the field against an opposing force."
Eighteen Republican House members, led by Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) and Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), are calling on the Department of Energy, which oversees the National Nuclear Security Administration, to stop the transfer of MILES and any other military equipment to Russia.
"It is difficult to imagine a worse time to provide military-grade technology employed by the U.S. Marine Corps, Army, and Special Operations Forces to Russia than when it has illegally invaded Ukraine and is violating the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty," said the lawmakers in a March 24 letter to Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz.
The House members also requested a list of any other funding that will be provided to Russia in the FY 2015 budget.