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Modern infantry soldier systems are becoming key components of the today's and tomorrow's land force. In Europe, the main soldier modernisation programmes include the UK Army’s Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST), France’s FÉLIN (“Fantassin à Equipements et Liasions Integrées”), the German Infantryman of the Future (“Infanterist der Zukunft” or IdZ), and the Italian “Soldato Futuro”. It is important to note that these and other programmes in the Czech Republic (Future Czech), the Netherlands (VOSS), Norway (NORMANS), Spain(COMFUT), Sweden (MARKUS), and Switzerland (IMESS) will not only change the complete soldier profile, but they will also make command easier, with more information available during planning and combat, enhancing protection as well as superior fire power against varying and increasingly asymmetric threats. As best shown in Afghanistan, the individual infantryman and its equipment will become part of a rapidly re-configurable network in which the C4I devices carried by the infantrymen relay real or near real-time messages and data to key decision makers. Within this scheme, C4I will deliver increased situational awareness, enabling tracking and identification of own forces, thus minimising the risk of “blue-on-blue” engagements. In sum, the combination of modern soldier systems and C4I will be the new paradigm of information technology to include fully integrated elements of doctrine, communications, procedures, organisational structures, equipment, facilities, and even personnel.
Technologies for the modern soldier
Since military forces are committed to operations like those in Afghanistan, the integration of modern soldier systems into a network force will be progressively maintained to gain full-scale interoperability across various, previously disconnected forces. As shown in various after action reports provided by the 19th German ISAF contingent, the individual soldier will require to distinguish between enemy and non-combatants, or between enemy and non-C4I equipped or compatible allies. This has been a complex task during many recent counter-insurgency operations in Afghanistan, also requiring huge efforts to allow for proper communications between individual units or soldiers. Operations in a tough environment as best represented by Afghanistan also take a lot of actionable intelligence and use of special tactics, whereby the success of such actions to find and identify the enemy in the rugged terrain and urban areas will depend upon heavy investments in the individual warfighter's information superiority, survivability, sustainability, and fire power.
Within this scheme, fixed, deployable and soldier-carried sensors will provide the “eyes and ears” which, combined with C4I and network-enabled capabilities, will form the basis for information-led infantry warfare. To provide a combat-winning capability, the correct fusion and filtering of sensor data to provide an accurate picture of the combat environment will thus be needed. To bring in advanced technologies for the modern infantryman, the year 2010 will see increased activity in any respect. In doing so, the French land forces will further intensify their principal programme in this field, the FÉLIN. Following extensive trials during the last couple of years, the French Army is about to receive additional pre-production systems as part of a total quantity of 31,500 systems that have been ordered for delivery until 2013. As to the FÉLIN’s voice and data communications equipment, there will be an infantryman information network radio with GPS and two antennas as well as a computer containing an identification chip for the soldier’s position.
The German Bundeswehr developed and introduced the Infantryman of the Future or IdZ systems approach. It is being used – in the form of the basic system – with success with German ISAF troops in Afghanistan since at least 2007. But this systems approach awaits further improvements which will be drawn upon the lessons learnt with the IdZ-BS (“Basissystem”) and the extensive trials undertaken by the industry in developing the new-generation IdZ-ES (“Erweitertes System”; Extended System). It draws on improved C2 and wireless communications means, GPS receiver technology (P/Y Code), night-vision devices (with the NSV 600 modular optronics replacing the Video Visier), the Concealed Engagement Unit (CEU) for concealed monitoring and engagement, integrated ballistic protection, and improved small-calibre weapons and ammunition. It is hoped that the latter will be able to eliminate any of the deficiencies that were observed while combating an increasingly asymmetric enemy in Afghanistan.
Besides the British, Dutch, German, and Swedish initiatives in the field of soldier modernisation, the Spanish Army is investigating high-grade technologies for its “Combatiente del Futuro” (COMFUT) project. It includes small wideband networking radios, new armour protection, chemical and biological protection suits, integrated helmets, body computers, and a rifle with night vision sights. The COMFUT project which is being financed by the Spanish DGAM (Dirección General de Armamento y Material) procurement organisation, is undertaken by an industrial group comprising EADS Defence & Security Spain as the programme leader and a number of Spanish sub-contractors to include Elint, Fedur, GMV, Iturri y Amopak, and TECNOBIT. The prototype equipment to be delivered to the Spanish Army for trials will equip three squads with twelve soldiers each. The overall project calls for up to 7,000 COMFUT sets.
The Italian soldier modernisation programme is being undertaken by Finmeccanica’s SELEX Communications plus other companies involved in the development of the six integrated modular subsystems, including Aero Sekur, Beretta, Galileo Avionica, Larimart and Sistema Compositi. The first Soldato Futuro pre-series sets will be delivered to an experimental unit to integrate and test the new equipment. As told by the Italian Army, the aim is to equip a first NEC unit of brigade size and Italy’s amphibious force by 2014 or 2015. A second brigade to be outfitted with the Soldato Futuro equipment could then be realised between 2016 and 2020.
UK FIST programme
The UK FIST programme facilitates on innovative developments in the fields of communications, protection, and armament. The overall project will cover some 35,000 sets of FIST kits which will be deployed by the British Army, the Royal Air Force Regiment, and Royal Marines between 2015 and 2020. FIST will provide the infantryman with enhanced C4I and lethality (improved sensors and weapons effectiveness), increased mobility (through improved navigation devices and reduced size and weight of equipment), better survivability (clothing, body armour, stealthiness) and a higher level of sustainability through logistical support.
THALES UK is responsible for developing and integrating the modular system including C2 software for dismounted close combat, sighting equipment, software-defined radios (SDRs) and weapons for the individual soldier. Other manufacturers participating in the FIST programme and trials include ABSL Power Solutions (power management including batteries), Chelton Defence Communications (section commander’s long range radios), NP Aerospace (integrated helmets and body armour), Police Resource International (load carriage subsystem plus integration of body armour) and SELEX Communications. The latter is delivering short-range radios.
One principal objective of FIST is increased sustainability. Therefore, it will be facilitated by introducing improved power cells. Their design will continue to be based on advanced lithium-ion battery technology. The UK’s research institution QinetiQ is investigating power supplies, including fuel cell configurations and the application of QinetiQ’s ammonium borate hydrogen generator, which could be later introduced into FIST. ABSL Power Solutions Limited (formerly AEA Technology Battery Systems) also produced a modified power system of two lithium-ion battery packs for the FIST V2 trials. Each could be integrated in the SA80 rifle magazine pouch and connected to the Power Management Unit (PMU). The latter provides power for the GPS receiver, the situation awareness computer, thermal imaging and image intensification sights as well as voice/data radios. Development work on handheld fuel cells is being undertaken by an industrial team encompassing Black and Decker, Ineos Chlor, Intelligent Energy and QinetiQ.
There were four industrial teams competing for the C3 system, including SELEX Communications (Soldier System Radio or SSR and advanced situational awareness software), THALES UK (Vector Tetra radio and Soldier Integrated Combat System or SICS), ITT Corporation (soldier radio), Cobham Defence Communications (BattleHawk Integrated Digital Soldier System or IDSS) and Raytheon (MicroLight radio). Cobham’s BattleHawk IDSS provides true interoperability for combat operations. Within this scheme, Cobham’s soldier and platform-based C4I systems provide a fully integrated combat management system (CMS). This allows mounted and dismounted combat units to monitor, analyse, communicate, and react effectively to the rapidly changing combat environment, even through the “chaos of battle”. The company's tactical C4I users may be equipped with the wearable IDSS with its Soldier Data Terminals (SDT) or may access the system via the BattleHawk Vehicle System (BHVS) or command terminal. With hardware and software conceived, designed, and built by Cobham, both IDSS and BHVS provide fully integrated solutions that can be easily reconfigured to meet customer requirements in terms of mission profile, load carriage, and platform integration. Incorporating advanced microprocessor technology and operating on Windows XP or Linux, all systems offer an open architecture, simplifying future technology insertion and providing the ability to run a wide variety of additional third party applications.
French FÉLIN Soldier Modernisation Project
Meanwhile, the French FÉLIN soldier modernisation project will provide the future soldier with an improved close-combat capability. SAGEM is delivering up to 22,500 FÉLIN V1 sets for 20 infantry regiments and an additional 9,000 FÉLIN sets for use by the troops of the armoured, engineering and artillery regiments of the French Army. Two years ago, SAGEM received an order for 5,045 FÉLIN systems which will be delivered until the end of 2010. It is estimated that all French infantry troops will be equipped with FÉLIN V1 by 2010. Production of FÉLIN V2 is planned to begin in 2015.
The target weight of the entire FÉLIN system, including weapons, ammunition, power supply as well as food and water provisions, is less than 25kg. This figure includes a portable computer, a voice/date radio, new combat clothing with body armour and a new ballistic helmet. The new lightweight helmet provides ballistic protection and is fitted with two LED displays and SAGEM’s monocular “Oculaire de Vision Déportée” (OVD) optronic system with a light-intensifying camera. The headband of the helmet is fitted with an OH-295 osteo-microphone supplied by Elno which picks up speech by sensing the vibration in the wearer’s skull. Special emphasis was given to the selection of the energy supplies and the methodology of recharging batteries.
Highly secure communications will be provided by the PR4G VS4 frequency-hopping tactical radio with GPS from THALES Communications. It enables a tactical internet connectivity and links the dismounted soldier to the vehicle’s SITEL battle management system (BMS). SAGEM’s RIF (“Réseau d’Information FÉLIN”) soldier personal digital radio will be the voice and data network connecting the soldier to other infantrymen in the section and to the section commander. The range of the RIF operating over 16 channels (830 to 862 MHz) is up to 1,000 metres in open areas and 300 metres in urban areas. SITEL, also developed by SAGEM, is being fitted to all French Army vehicles and, as of April 2008, had been deployed with two armoured brigades.
The weapons systems found in the FÉLIN include the GIAT FAMAS F1 5.56mmassault rifle, the GIAT FR-F2 7.62mm sniper rifle, and the FN HERSTAL Minimi 5.56mm light machine gun. The weapons are to be fitted with new sights for day and night operation and improved target acquisition. The soldier will have an image-intensifying sight as likely found in SAGEM’s Clara system. The commander will have a thermal imaging weapon sight. Both sights are linked to the communications system, allowing that acquired target images which are being transmitted digitally in real-time through the FÉLIN communications network, can be viewed through the weapons sights. SAGEM’s JIM MR multifunction binoculars have been also chosen for FÉLIN. Some 3,000 examples of this binocular are on order to equip FÉLIN squad leaders. It is based on 320 x 240 long-wave infrared (LWIR) focal plane array microbolometer detector technology, with the complete equipment weighing 1.8 kg. Also attached is a 1.54 microns eye-safe laser rangefinder with a 5 kilometres ranging capability, a Vectronix digital magnetic compass and a GPS receiver.
German IdZ-ES System
The German IdZ-ES system utilises cutting-edge technologies, thus merging the “complete infantry system” – the ten men strong infantry group with its new wheeled GTK BOXER combat vehicle including the base station – into a network-enabled framework. In German Bundeswehr parlance this is widely named “Vernetzte Operationsführung” or NetOpFü, requiring network-enabled equipment like a newly designed core computer (or “Computer-Einheit”) which will be lighter than its precursor system and requires less energy. The main functions of the core computer include the power supply management, the access control and monitoring, the soldier information system for the map/position presentation, navigation, messaging, exchange of follow-up and target data, the processing of various sensor data (NBC, biometric, position) as well as the operator interference and its presentation. Importantly, the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) used to control the basic IdZ system components is no longer required. The WBZG thermal sight developed by AIM Infrarot-Module GmbH will be used for the MG4 5.56mm machine gun and G-82 12.7mm sniper rifle. It provides a 1,500 metres identification range.
It is important to note that combat vehicles like the GTK BOXER will form the basis for networked operations, meaning that the battlefield is increasingly being digitised by supporting commanders at any echelons with real-time situational awareness, target identification and graphical combat area displays. The first examples of the GTK BOXER (of a total of 272 vehicles in different variants procured for the German infantry) were officially handed over to the German BWB (Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung) defence materiel procurement agency and the European OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement) programme agency in September 2009. Under the umbrella of NetOpFü, the infantry group made up of the IdZ-ES can then request support from land, sea or air forces.
The interaction of the IdZ with wheeled and tracked armoured infantry fighting vehicles (AIFVs) and the interconnection with the German Army's C3I system (“Führungsinformations Heer” or FüInfoSys Heer) by utilising TETRAPOL or VHF communications will be inherently benefiting from the technologies developed so far, said Dr. Karsten Deiseroth, President of Integrated Systems Deutschland, EADS Defence & Security, during a television interview with the author at the 24th AFCEA exhibition in Bonn (Germany) on 5 May 2010. When using the GTK BOXER in a military operation, the group connects to the command information system. The IdZ system enables the group leader of an infantry section to make a comprehensive local picture, with the helmet display supplying the soldiers with combat and order information. Within this scheme, it is possible to show and transmit the position of opposing forces, area obstacles and opposing mine barriers. Using a manual control unit, the soldier manages the core computer. It is based on the LINUX operating system and controls all other soldier device interfaces.
The IdZ-ES represent the Gen II of the IdZ system which will replace the IdZ-BS by 2012. The contract awarded to Rheinmetall Defence in December 2009 will result in the IdZ-ES system for a group of then soldiers. Following extensive trials in El Paso (Texas) and in Germany (Infantry School Hammelburg), Rheinmetall Defence has been modifying the equipment utilised in the IdZ-ES with respect to a greater degree of modularity, ergonomics, and weight reductions. A highly modular concept is seen herein to provide the future infantryman a superior system for use on the modern battlefield. Following parlamentary decision, the new-generation IdZ-ES could be delivered between 2010 and 2014, with approximately 900 extended systems to be foreseen for infantry and armoured infantry units.
Italian Soldato Futuro
The communications systems used by the Italian “Soldato Futuro” will be based upon two systems. The first one will be used by the individual infantryman providing a maximum range of 1,300 metres in open terrain. The second radio, a broadband radio with a 5,000 metres maximum range, will be employed by team leaders for linking with other teams. A remote control on the rifle can be also utilised to activate voice communications. Alternatively, the soldier can pull up a recipient for communications on a touch-screen pocket tablet. Mounted on the soldier’s helmet is a TV day/night camera which relays magnified imagery to the single-eye viewfinder worn by the soldier. Imagery derived from the rifle’s sight can be also beamed by Bluetooth to the same viewfinder. The principal weapon will be the 5.56mm ARX-160 rifle developed by Beretta. It will benefit from three quickly interchangeable barrel lengths while carrying a 40mm grenade launcher. The latter will be assisted by elevation readouts on a dedicated fire control system. Team leaders and unit commanders will carry target acquisition binoculars able to create images or video sequences and process range, azimuth, elevation and GPS readings.
Spanish COMFUT System
The Spanish COMFUT system will be facilitating on new technology provided by ITT Corporation’s Communications Systems division. It received a contract from EADS’ Defence & Security division for delivery of its SpearNet small wideband network radio system for the Full-Scale Engineeing Development (FSED) phase of the COMFUT programme. The pocket-sized, <350g, device utilises ad-hoc networking to bring individuals full situational awareness without the need of creating or monitoring network operations. Range is widely quoted at 1,000 metres between soldiers and 6,000 metres when using a vehicle-mounted antenna. The radio utilises self-forming, self-healing waveforms with multihop and wideband spread spectrum with multipath mitigation, allowing the radio system to function in urban warfare scenarios. Trials have demonstrated the transmission of digital photographs and voice in urban areas. When using such state-of-the-art radio equipment, the individual soldier will be capable to collaboratively plan its actions and network to a host of applications like intelligence reports and blue force tracking.
Norwegian NORMANS System
Meanwhile, the Norwegian NORMANS (Norwegian Modular Arctic Network Soldier) has been moving toward company level trials within a mechanised battalion in 2009. With the NORMANS system providing the basis for a net-centric Norwegian land component, the Harris RF Communications RF7800S Secure Personal Radio has been already selected via the Norwegian Personal Field Radio programme. This radio system is operating in the 350 to 450 MHz band, having a simultaneous data/voice capability and a range of 2,000 to 3,000 metres in open terrain and 800 metres in urban areas. During 2009, a competition has been underway between Norwegian companies to also supply some 416 C4I systems based on specifications derived from trials by the Norwegian FFI defence research establishment
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