Thermal imaging
Thermal imaging technology, in fact, allows you to determine the temperature difference between objects, warmer objects differ from colder ones, each has its own characteristic features depending on a variety of conditions and circumstances. Unlike luminance enhancement technology, thermal imaging does not rely on any external light sources and is capable of detecting heat-emitting objects through foliage, smoke, and even inside buildings. Modern digital thermal imagers allow you to quickly process, transmit and use information. Thermal imaging devices are generally larger than their electro-optical counterparts, most of them are either hand-held or mounted on weapons.
Since thermal imaging uses a digital environment, it is quite possible to see the image not only directly on the display of the device, but also remotely at any distance. This makes it possible to display the image on a helmet-worn display by the soldier, on which he sees what the weapon is aimed at, without the need to look in the same direction. This allows you to fire literally from around the corner. The soldier can point his weapon from behind a wall or corner, see a target and fire a shot at it without putting himself at unnecessary risk.
In order to demonstrate these capabilities, one of the very first systems was included in the French infantry equipment FELIN (Fantassin a Equipement et Liaisons Integres - infantryman's integrated equipment and communications) developed by Safran Electronics & Defense. Through a cable, it connects the thermal imaging sight on the FAMAS rifle to the optical device on the helmet. These systems were supplied to French soldiers in Afghanistan in 2011. The results of field tests were inconsistent: although the characteristics were satisfactory, the total mass of the rifle with the sight was considered too large. This reminded again of the common problems faced by the developers of systems for "broadening the horizons" of the individual soldier. Often these systems have mass, size, power consumption, complexity, and other design characteristics that are impractical in real combat conditions.
The continuous miniaturization process reduces the size and weight of thermal imaging devices. Safran's newest SWORD Light thermal imaging riflescope, designed for work in urbanized areas, weighs 0, 86 kg, has a night channel with a wide field of view and low magnification, digital zoom, built-in remote control, an optional collimator sight can be integrated. The operating time of the device from four standard AA batteries is 8 hours.
The development of the Family of Weapon Sights (FWS) family of weapon scopes for the American army takes the weapon sight to a new level of compactness and integration (photo above). The FWS-I (Individual) wirelessly transmits the reticle and thermal imaging to the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENVG) III and ENVG-Binocular NVGs, providing the functionality mentioned in the first part (Modern soldier by calling. Technical progress to help light infantry) functionality RTA (according to some reports, it can reduce the time to acquire targets by 50%). The Army regards the RTA as "providing a new level of tactical capability that enables soldiers to detect, recognize and accurately engage targets from any position." Based on the results of the competition, Leonardo DRS and BAE Systems were selected; the first serial contract was issued by BAE in March 2018 for the production of ENVG and FWS-I systems.
Day / night sights
Although the thermal imager is excellent at detecting objects, its recognition and identification capabilities are limited, it is difficult to use it to determine the properties of the observed object, whether it is a foreign, military or civilian. In this case, the optics for visual observation remains the preferred one. One of the solutions is the inclusion of day and night channels in a single mountable system. Safran's SWORD T&D scope uses a similar design. It combines uncooled thermal imaging and daytime optics. This new generation digital sight improves surveillance or near and long range fire. Additional options include remote weapon control and data and video channels. It is compatible not only with rifles, but also with machine guns and infantry support weapons, such as the Saab Carl Gustav grenade launcher.
The exclusion from equipment of devices and devices that impair the perception of the infantryman's sense organs allows to significantly increase the level of knowledge of the situation. This determines the limited use of binocular night vision devices by soldiers. When wearing them, the soldier completely loses his normal vision. Many people see a small helmet-mounted display as their preferred solution. Collins Aerospace's MV35XC display can output from any remote composite and RGB device. With it, the soldier can not only get instant access to video sights, but also computers, maps, GPS and other data. The small display allows the wearer to be aware of the surrounding environment, while it can be raised up or moved to the side for a completely clear view or to use a rifle scope.
Little eye in the sky
A new direction in the development of the infantry squad arose with the advent of fairly small unmanned aerial vehicles that easily fit in the palm of your hand. These micro and nano UAVs can potentially significantly expand the field of view of even the smallest dismounted unit. They are compact enough and lightweight for a soldier to carry, easy to use due to autonomous control, capable of flying for a short time, providing real-time video recording of the area of interest. One of the very first to appear was the FLIR Systems Black Hornet. This nano-UAV is used by the armed forces of the United States, France, Great Britain, Germany, Australia, Norway, the Netherlands and India. The entire complex is designated Personal Reconnaissance System (PRS) and includes two Black Hornet drones, a docking / charging station (powered by batteries), a hand-held touch controller and a display. Each unit weighs less than 45 grams and is 178 mm long. The Black Hornet device can stay in the air for up to 25 minutes and has a radio channel with a range of about 2000 meters within the line of sight. Each drone is equipped with two daytime cameras and a thermal imager and has the function of combining these three streams to obtain an image with high fidelity. The operator can operate manually or use a semi-autonomous mode of operation with following the pre-programmed GPS coordinates and returning by program or on demand. If the control signal is lost, the Black Hornet drone will automatically return to the take-off location.
These nano- and micro-UAVs can realize a long-standing desire of a soldier - to see what's behind a hill, forest or city block. Due to their accessibility for small units and a special configuration, they provide important information that can play a decisive role in confronting an opponent.
Lightweight yet durable combat vests and helmets
Body protection systems and helmets are evolving to provide soldiers with lighter and more advanced protection today.
Soldier survival is top priority. This is not just a desire to reduce or eliminate casualties among military personnel, but also a desire to eliminate the adverse impact that injuries or deaths have on the unit's ability to successfully perform assigned tasks. In a small infantry unit, typically 9 to 13 people, each soldier has a key role to play, and his retirement affects the overall cohesion and effectiveness of the team.
If we talk in detail about protecting a soldier from a bullet or shrapnel from an explosion, then the best solution is, most likely, to provide him with personal body protection. At the same time, it seems logical to further increase the survival rate by increasing the number of layers of protection and increasing the strength of its constituent elements. However, according to a spokesman for the US Army Procurement Agency, the reality is that "additional body armor can restrict the movement and actions of a soldier, while adding weight also impairs mobility and endurance."
Weight reduction is also a factor that can improve survival by allowing the soldier to move faster with greater functional mobility. According to a report by the General Accounting Office on the improvement of personal protective equipment, the marines in Iraq and Afghanistan wore an average of 53 kg, which is significantly more than the standard load on the march 32.6 kg. As a result, a slower reaction when making contact and a decrease in resistance to fatigue in a combat situation.
One of the body armor designers noted that the experience of the frontline soldier had a major influence on the selection trends of the body armor. Studies have shown that, due to the prevalence of counterinsurgency operations, in recent years, more attention has been paid to protection against bullets. This has led to what ballistics experts in the field call a minimalist approach to body protection - lighter vests that offer better mobility, but typically have only bulletproof or impact resistant plates with little or no protective fabric. The US Army's Soldier Plate Carrier System (SPCS) reflects this trend, while the next-generation MSV (Modular Scalable Vest) modular vest is essentially a "plate-only" body armor option. Although they are lighter, they still cover a smaller area than the previous military model, the Improved Outer Tactical Vest. The question is, how will these "minimal protection" vests perform in a conflict with an almost equal opponent, where artillery is actively used? Here, soft Kevlar armor packages to protect against shrapnel may be just the right thing.
It is also worth recalling that absolute protection is unattainable. For example, it is now clear that the Russians in Syria have deployed sniper rifles, including SV98 and SVD, which are capable of penetrating even the latest body armor at virtually any distance. Therefore, it is necessary to accept the likelihood of some risk while achieving the necessary balance.
Unloading and body armor. One family
A spokesman for the Office noted that the US Army has recognized that "simple personal body armor designed to be worn by all soldiers is not the optimal approach." To a large extent, this one-size-fits-all approach was vividly demonstrated in the earlier Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT). The SPCS and MSV systems are aimed at providing more adaptable body protection. The idea is to provide a lightweight alternative rather than a replacement for the Improved Outer Tactical Vest used in the Interceptor body protection system. The US Army has chosen the KDH Magnum TAC-1 body armor to meet the needs of its soldiers in Afghanistan. According to the company, this "highly adaptable system with improved fit can be adjusted on the fly without removing the vest using its side adjustable straps." The vest can be adjusted in real time when the requirements of the combat mission change. It uses ESAPI (Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert), which weighs 5, 9 kg in the largest version. Most of the protective plates in the West are made from high-strength ceramics.
Modular Expandable Vest MSV (Modular Scalable Vest) was accepted for supply in 2018 with the aim of replacing the IOTV (Improved Outer Tactical Vest) vest. The MSV weighs 11 kg, and when fully loaded with ballistic plates is 2.27 kg lighter than the IOTV vest. The biggest difference is that the design of the MSV vest allows it to expand or contract depending on the threat and the requirements of the task. The first row are soft, concealed Kevlar bags. Protective plates can be added to provide additional protection against impact. The next level includes a vest and ballistic plates, while the last level adds a "ballistic shirt with integrated neck, shoulder and pelvic protection, and a belt system for carrying wearables from the vest to the hips." KDH Defense Systems received the first contract for the manufacture of MSV vests in June 2013.
The latest unloading system for the United States Marine Corps allows for more efficient weight distribution so that each infantryman can adjust it to the needs of the combat mission. It includes the main vest in the style of a wide belt-scarf with the option of using the groin and lower back protection from the body armor of the IOTV vest (Interceptor). The system features fully integrated side protection, cable routing channels and an increased number of MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment) attachment points. The new unloading vest is an alternative to the larger IMTV body armor.
In June 2019, the Corps awarded a contract to Point Blank Enterprises for new light armor plates weighing about 3.8 kg. They are designed to be worn during low-intensity conflicts or counterinsurgency missions. A spokesman for the command of the USMC said that the Corps plans to begin accepting the supply of the first armor plates in early 2020.
The IOVT vest made by KDH Defense in the US Army replaced the Interceptor Body Armor (IBA). The company KDH Defense said that "it was refined several times based on real feedback from military personnel from theaters of war." The vest can use both Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (E-SAPI) and ESBI Side-SAPI armor plates. Various components can be added to the vest to provide a complete system with protection for the groin, lower back, deltoid and neck / throat areas. The standard vest of the German Bundeswehr is part of its IdZ Infanterist Modifziert combat gear. The modular vest weighing 10, 5-12 kg uses SK4 armor plates and SK1 soft armor packages. Components can be added to protect the neck / throat, groin, shoulders and lower back.
The 6B23 Russian combined arms body armor uses a combination of fabric armor panels and steel armor plates, and also includes groin protection. Newer vests 6B43 and 6B45 are lighter and have a neck section, splinter-resistant shoulder pads and an apron. The 6B45 modular body armor, which has an expandable configuration like the American MSV, includes ceramic armor panels. The use of steel or titanium plates instead of ceramic plates has the disadvantage that a bullet can split the plate and the resulting debris can injure.
Most of the units of the Chinese army are equipped with body armor. In fact, China is a major exporter of body armor for commercial use and security purposes. Many are structurally very reminiscent of American and Western systems in general, including an overlap front, side adjustment straps, removable throat and groin protectors, plate pockets and MOLLE mounts. Chinese bulletproof inserts are made from either ballistic steel (heavier than ceramics) or (preferably) alumina-based ceramics.
Combat helmets
The 6B47 Russian light combined-arms armored helmet, developed by the Armokom center, is included in the "Ratnik" combat equipment and is produced for army units. It has a built-in mount for NVG and a side guide. The helmet is made of fabric materials based on microfilament aramid threads, weighs 1 kg and can withstand a 9-mm pistol bullet from a distance of 5 meters. It comes with a balaclava and digital camouflage covers for vegetation and snow.
The F70 helmet, introduced in October 2018 by the American company 3M, is designed to meet the need to increase the comfort of the wearer while maintaining the required levels of ballistic protection. Weighing 0.77 kg for the high cut and 0.77 kg for the mid cut, it is lighter than the current Combat Helmet II L110, but offers better protection than the other Ultra-Light Weight Bump Helmet. N49. Particular attention has been paid to reducing weight and head stability even while running or performing other activities, including skydiving.
The US Army is adopting a new Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) helmet with improved blunt impact protection. This system is five percent lighter, it includes the helmet itself with a maxillofacial attachment and passive hearing protection. The first deliveries of serial products began in mid-2018 by Ceradyne (part of 3M).
The Marine Corps has awarded Gentex a contract to supply the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH), which is to be received by every Marine. The ESN helmet weighs the same as a standard Advanced Combat Helmet, but is capable of withstanding rifle bullets and shrapnel.
The ESN system consists of a ballistic helmet, padding and four mounts. In addition, it includes a reversible helmet cover, a holder for a night vision goggle and mounts for various accessories.
The USMC announced in June 2019 that it wants a new lightweight and integrated helmet. This Integrated Helmet System (IHS) will improve the integration of several current and emerging head-mounted systems such as optics and hearing augmentation / protection devices. A small helmet will weigh 1.31 kg, and the largest size 1.74 kg. The helmet should be optimized to transfer energy / data to the attachment accessories while minimizing the size.
