Central to soldier modernization activities is to ensure reliable communication and information exchange. Providing flexible open architecture and seamless and seamless connectivity has recently been one of the top priorities for countries such as Poland and Spain, and remains a high priority in ongoing soldier modernization programs in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
With open architecture combat information-guided systems (CIBS), soldiers are at the center of a vast amount of information. In addition to the virtual realm of modular, pluggable systems and bandwidth, many EDA research projects focus on redefining and re-evaluating the soldier in the physical world. Ongoing research into Signature Management Technology (SCT) is aimed at creating smart materials that will enable the future European soldier to fool advanced electromagnetic signal detection systems.
However, Estonia remains indifferent to all these newfangled tricks offered to the modern soldier. By signing a contract for new rifles in July 2019, the country reminded Europe that fighting is the backbone of modern operational space.
Basic principles
The rise in popularity of pluggable open architecture, which is built around rugged, war-ready computers and tablets, is just one example of how the future soldier concept is evolving in Europe, based on flexibility and speed of information processing.
The soldier modernization program in Spain, known as SISCAP (Spanish Foot-Soldier System), is in the readiness assessment phase, after which factory tests are planned. This became possible after a critical analysis of the project at the end of 2019.
As part of the SISCAP program, the Spanish company GMV (general contractor for the project) presented its new military-standard computer at FEINDEF 2019 in Madrid. According to the company, this technology reflects its intention to focus on developing communications solutions for dismounted soldiers with a higher level of integration, as well as updating guidance and fire control systems.
GMV's LGB-11 smart system integrates a soldier's control computer, power distribution, power management and hardware acceleration functions, which allows the integration of optoelectronics, cameras and helmet-mounted displays in a low-weight and low-power configuration. This system builds on GMV's previous work in the ComFut (Future Soldier) program prior to SISCAP, as well as other in-house research and development.
Another component currently selected for the SISCAP program are Bren-Tronics SMP batteries, which are also used in the German IdZ-ES (Infantryman of the Future) program, as well as the Harris radio station. The first prototypes of SISCAP equipment (including a soldier's computer, manual control unit and weapons control unit) were delivered in early 2020.
Interest in open architecture is also growing in France, not least thanks to the FELIN (Integrated Communications and Infantry Equipment) program of soldiers, which has been continuously updated since its commissioning in 2011.
Safran Electronics & Defense, its main contractor, is currently developing the latest version of FELIN. According to a Safran spokesman, V1.4 should bring the system in line with "the demands of the digital age and the increased informatization of the French army's Scorpion modernization program" in order to reduce the cognitive load on the soldier.
He said that the integration and communications are the qualities of V1.4.
"This new architecture connects the platoon commander to the Scorpion information management system as well as combat networks such as tactical soldiers' radios and vehicle intercom systems."
FELIN V1.4 also focuses on optimizing the mobility of the soldier. The weight of the electronic system has been significantly reduced, according to Safran, by 50%. The system uses a local wireless connection of Bluetooth technology, in addition, it includes a modular vest with soft bulletproof protection and metal plates for simplified adaptation to the needs of a combat mission.
In addition, V1.4 introduces new collaborative features such as tracking your forces, as well as other specialized systems that connect to the battle group via human-machine interfaces adapted for dismounted combat. The new system also integrates an intelligent computer along with digital communications, networks and voice interfaces to ensure close interaction between dismounted and mechanized units.
Continental connection
Meanwhile, the German IdZ-ES program also has an open architecture and maximum communication capabilities. Work on a project aimed at digitizing all ground operations under the Neeg 4.0 initiative continued in 2018-2019, as a result of which the German Ministry of Defense ordered an additional batch of IdZ-ES kits to equip more than 3,500 troops from all three branches of the German armed forces …
The Gladius 2.0 system is being produced for a German soldier modernization project by Rheinmetall, while it was also shown at IDEX 2019, as the manufacturer aims to promote new equipment in the Gulf countries. The system can be expanded or reduced in order to better suit the various operations and missions of the infantry, which is possible due to its open architecture, that is, the necessary components can be added on a modular basis depending on the soldier's mission.
In addition to Gladius 2.0, Rheinmetall participates in the European project GOSSRA (Generic Open Soldier Systems Reference Architecture). This project, sponsored by the European Defense Agency, explores ways to improve the communication capabilities of the future European soldier.
The current project is exploring the standardization of everything from electronics, data and voice communications and software to human-machine interfaces, sensors and actuators. The ultimate goal of the GOSSRA program is to formulate a framework for standardization and achieve technical suitability, as well as the adoption of this decision by the majority of European countries.
The GOSSRA project could increase its status and become more significant if the region continues to create a unified European army that can exchange information through a shared architecture, thereby potentially gaining huge advantages in coordinating actions against any adversary.
The military in many countries is studying how infantry units communicate with each other in order to develop measures to counter the threat of electronic warfare. This is especially true in Europe, as concerns about Russia's capabilities are growing, especially in terms of jamming in the VHF, GPS, 3G and 4G bands.
Many militaries choose programmable radios to provide secure communications on the battlefield, allowing the deployment of broadband and narrowband communications protocols, and appropriate implementation of radio upgrade and upgrade programs.
Poland hopes that its military will heed the trend of using modern communication systems. In September 2019, the Polish Ministry of Defense announced preparations for the next phase of its Tytan Individual Warfare System program, which will evaluate portable radios.
A spokesperson for WB Electronics said they are preparing to ship several dozen systems to the Department of Defense, as well as a broader set of supporting products, prior to the assessment process. Each system will include a programmable radio, an end-user device, and a central processing unit with battle control software.
In this concept, the role of a programmable radio station is played by an updated version of the Personal Radio P-RAD 4010, which, in order to ensure the security of data transmission, has undergone several technological improvements in accordance with the requirements of the ministry. The P-RAD 4010 radio station, capable of operating in the range from 390 to 1550 MHz, has a communication range of up to 4 km, depending on the type of terrain.
The radio has a built-in GPS and antenna to increase the reliability of tracking its forces. It supports many commercial devices such as rugged tablets and laptops for radio monitoring and visualization over USB or Ethernet.
Scalability is also a hallmark of the Tytan system. The basic cut-down version of the Mini-Tytan, developed based on the experience of the Polish contingent in Afghanistan and other theaters of operations, will soon enter service.
Invisibility costumes
In addition to ensuring a high level of interaction, significant research is being carried out in the field of soldier's equipment. In Russia, for example, they are included in the development of an exoskeleton under the national program for the modernization of the soldier and the creation of combat equipment "Ratnik".
In Europe, the emphasis has been more on smart materials than on the "robo-soldier" concept, as interest in DUS is growing in response to the continuous development of weapons systems. The Swedish Defense Research Institute FOI determined that the latest developments in sensor technology and especially image recognition algorithms have contributed to an increase in the level of threat, which has led to a revision of the requirements for detection systems.
According to a spokesman for the Swedish Defense Research Agency, multispectral sensor technology is developing among non-state actors, advanced optoelectronic systems, infrared and microwave sensors are increasingly common.
As part of its Future Soldier program, Austria is already releasing a version of the camouflage with reduced signatures for its soldiers, which was transferred to the Styrian mountain rifle battalion in March 2019. It is planned that in 2020 the new kit will receive from 3,000 to 4,000 soldiers. The kit, known as Tarnanzug neu ("new camouflage"), was developed by experts from the Austrian Armed Forces and is made from clever materials. It offers protection against evolving detection tools using optoelectronic technology, such as night vision goggles.
Camouflage can be confusing for devices operating in the military bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as the visible, infrared and radio bands. Detection works differently in each of these ranges.
For example, for protection against devices operating in the visible and near-infrared spectrum, it is very important to have characteristics such as, for example, spectrally selective reflectivity, low gloss and low polarization. In the case of RF shielding, coatings with either very high or very low reflectivity are desirable as they can absorb radio waves. Therefore, the most effective protection system is one that is able to protect the soldier in all frequency ranges.
The Austrian Ministry of Defense, on an experimental basis, planned to study an interim solution in order to meet the needs of military advanced units, this primarily concerns individual protection and communications and operational control units. Since in this area there was a lag behind other countries, the Austrian program could potentially absorb all the best from the experience of European programs for the modernization of the soldier.
While promoting the Austrian camouflage project, the European Defense Agency is also studying TUS as part of its ACAMSII (Adaptive Camouflage for the Soldier II) project. The goal of the program led by the Swedish institute is to develop several active and passive adaptation mechanisms in the soldier's cloth camouflage system in order to exclude detection, hinder identification and hinder the use of guided weapons. The goal is to improve soldier protection and reduce signatures in response to growing multispectral spectrum problems, and the results of the research should serve as a source of information for promising soldier modernization programs.
In addition to the FOI, the Portuguese company Citeve and Darnel, the German research institute Fraunhofer IOSB, the Lithuanian FTMC, the TNO Institute from the Netherlands and the French Safran are also involved in the ACAMSII project.
As for the FOI, the research assigned to him was divided into two technological areas - static camouflage and dynamic camouflage; the second direction is more complex and, accordingly, less developed technologically. The institute said that the project is scheduled for completion on April 30, 2021 and most of the results, no doubt, are expected in the second half of the project cycle.
After studying the current and future missions of the armed forces of the EU countries and the capabilities of sensors and devices of the electromagnetic spectrum, it is planned to disseminate the findings and conclusions of the ACAMSII project in the military, academic and industrial circles. The research results obtained will be used by national agencies for the procurement of military equipment and the armed forces.
Nowhere without lethality
Despite ongoing developments in the field of communications, smart materials and open architecture, the Estonian Ministry of Defense believes that the rifle remains the most important component of a modern soldier's equipment. As a result, increasing the firing efficiency of soldiers is considered a priority for the modernization of the Estonian army.
In July 2019, Estonia signed a contract with LMT Defense to supply a new standard rifle for the Estonian armed forces. The LMT MARS family includes AR15 and AR10 rifles, as well as 40mm grenade launchers. So, the rifles of the family were specially modified for the Estonian requirements by the LMT Defense company together with the local firms Milrem LCM and Visible Assets.
Features of the AR15 rifle chambered for 5, 56x45 include a wireless shot counter and electronics that track the movement of weapons in warehouses and weapon rooms. The rifle turned out to be quite light, the weight without cartridges is only 3, 36 kg, its upper receiver is made of a single piece of stamped aircraft aluminum.
Although the value of the contract has not yet been confirmed, Estonia will purchase 16,000 automatic rifles, as well as accessories for them, at the first stage. The first batch of rifles arrived in the country in early 2020, they will go into service with the reconnaissance battalion. Further, the weapons will be distributed among the recruits and reservists of the 1st and 2nd Infantry Brigades and members of the Volunteer Defense League.
“The Estonian Armed Forces will receive a new generation of rifles that are accurate, ergonomic, reliable and modern,” said a ministry spokesman. He also noted the ability of the American company to produce "the most advanced small arms in the world."
The UK, for its part, wants to update telescopic scopes for the use of weapons in low light. The country's Ministry of Defense intends to issue a five-year contract for the Assault Rifle In-line Low Light Sight riflescope.
According to analyst website Tenders Electronic Daily, the Department of Defense intends to issue a contract worth from $ 37.2 to 62.1 million for a night vision system that allows assault rifle operators to capture and fire targets in low or no light conditions, while “not inferior in characteristics to the current day sighting systems."
The European military is seriously concerned about maintaining the relevance of its troops and, in this regard, is implementing modernization programs that emphasize the adaptation of soldiers to combined combat operations in all environments, on land, water and in the air. Whether it's autoconfigurable radios and computer systems or open architecture and chameleon camouflage suits, all of these technological developments are aimed at creating a combat-ready military that can withstand an equal or near-equal opponent.
