In an effort to maintain tactical superiority over almost equal and high-tech rivals, the armed forces of many countries are forced to develop additional capabilities necessary in modern military operations in difficult combat situations, in particular, in populated areas.
According to the leadership of the British Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), the armed forces are very cautious about the future operational space, although they are confident that the urbanized area will become one of the "most difficult areas in which they will have to operate."
Tactical choice
According to Chris Nichols, chief adviser to the Tactical Cyber and Information Systems division of the Laboratory, cities will become multidimensional combat spaces in the future. “The armed forces operating in future cities will have to take into account all the variety of combat conditions, from underground communications to cyberspace. The scale of this problem is likely to be enormous, each city block will turn into an equation with many unknowns, requiring special tactics and principles of combat use."
Considering this Contested Urban Space (UCP) in relation to the British Army's FSV (Future Soldier Vision), he noted that it is necessary to "increase the level of command of the situation in difficult conditions" by increasing the level of physical and through observation, reconnaissance and collection of information at the tactical level in order to immediately obtain information about the situation and increase the controllability of combat forces and assets. "All this must be supported by reliable and stable communications in the terrain with difficult terrain."
With this in mind, DSTL is implementing the Five Eyes technical cooperation program with partners in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.
This concept pays special attention to the usefulness and effectiveness of indirect weapons in the UCP, as well as the ability to: fire on fast passing and undefined targets; increase the accuracy of the impact; use the terrain for camouflage, cover and deception; and finally, optimize communication and GPS systems inside buildings and underground structures.
Future directions for the development of the cooperation program are likely to include the choice of technologies and the determination of tactics, methods and methods of warfare in order to: own the situation in populated areas in almost real time through the management of intelligence and surveillance data, their reliable and timely collection, consolidation and distribution; on an ongoing basis to study autonomous systems and their role in reducing information overload at the tactical level; and prioritize sensors and information controls.
According to TT Electronics, there are more than 19 programs on the global soldier modernization market, all of which are at different stages of development and deployment.
Famous dismounted soldier programs in advanced stages include: FELIN (France); IdZ-ES (Germany); Dominator (Israel); ACMS (Singapore); and Nett Warrior (USA). Other programs in the "prototype test" stage include ISS (Canada); Land 125 (Australia); Warrior 202 (Finland); NORMANS (Norway); Tytan (Poland); MARKUS (Sweden); IMESS (Switzerland); and VOSS (Netherlands).
Each of these programs is distinguished by its combination of technologies, ranging from communication devices, advanced headsets, video devices, smartphones and wearable personal computers to UAVs, ground robots, unattended sensors and weapons systems.
Iron fist
The British Department of Defense pays special attention to the deployment of the FIST concept (eng., Fist - fist; Future Integrated Soldier Technology - the technology of the future integrated soldier), the purpose of which is to reduce the load on dismounted soldiers conducting close combat, while improving observation and target designation, situational awareness, survivability, mobility and lethality.
According to Colonel Alex Hutton of the Department of Combat Training Programs, the "ideal" weight for a British Army combat shooter is 25 kg, although he admits that the "acceptable minimum" could be 40 kg. However, he noted that the current load actually averages 58 kg.
British Army initiatives to meet the need to reduce combat load while increasing levels of protection include incorporating Raven's power and data management solutions into the forward-looking Virtus Pulse 3 PPE system to further optimize weight and performance.
In support of this initiative, the Department of Defense is in the process of determining the integration of the future soldier's systems, although the British are still lagging behind the achievements of the German IdZ-ES program and the French FELIN program.
The British Army places particular emphasis on the ability of dismounted melee soldiers to command and control space.
Current activities are focused on improving tactical hearing protection systems, both in-the-ear and in-ear solutions. This special program provides for the purchase of 250,000 “base” devices, 9,800 “special user” devices and 20,866 melee systems.
One of the winners of this program is Invisio, which has been supplying S10 monitoring devices and X5 hearing protection headsets to the British Army, Navy and Air Force since 2015.
In terms of situational awareness and operational management needs, the Department of Defense is awaiting confirmation of funding for the Dismounted Situational Awareness (DSA) program, which, according to army sources, remains in the middle of a "two-year hiatus": funding is due to resume in April 2019. …
Addressing delegates to a conference on advanced soldier technologies held in March this year in London, a spokesman for the development and training of infantry units of the British army said that the DSA and Raven projects "will be combined" in order to more quickly achieve mutual goals, as well as save resources.
Citing the need for a full launch of both programs during 2018 and 2019 as a top priority, Hutton noted that DSA continues to evolve “with the goal of increasing the pace, improving and accelerating decision-making, increasing the level of cooperation, reducing risks and losses of one's own strength, and reducing physical and cognitive stress. on dismounted soldiers."
The program, aimed at providing soldiers with a data link, an end-user device and an embedded battle management application, should be broken down into five weekly experimental blocks, involving laboratory testing and testing in combat conditions.
The British DoD continues to explore the practicality of tactical autonomous technology to support dismounted melee units. Among the options, a light tactical mobile platform LTMP (Light Tactical Mobility Platform) is being considered, which meets the requirements for a high-mobility cargo transportation system for evacuating the wounded, supplying and supporting advanced sniper groups.
Hutton noted that the concept is related to the "fight light" doctrine and that LTMP will replace the ATVs; funding for this program will be agreed later. Other innovative technologies are under consideration, including Boston Dynamics' Big Dog platform.
Many of these initiatives, which could support the future dismounted soldier community, were reviewed by the Department of Defense during the Autonomous Warrior (Land) exercise, which began in June this year and is being conducted as part of the Army Warfighting Experiment (AWE) 2018.
During the exercise, which will last until April 2019 (after which it will enter the operational phase), "prototypes of air and ground transport platforms, designed to reduce the danger levels for soldiers during hostilities, will be tested."
The ministry also said in a statement: "In addition to demonstrating last-mile resupply vehicles, the Autonomous Warrior will also test observation capabilities that will dramatically improve the effectiveness, range and accuracy of personnel's weapons."
The importance of enhancing such capabilities was also highlighted by the new Chief of General Staff, General Carlton, who stated that the military "must be ready to engage immediately today and prepare for tomorrow's hostilities."
In his opinion, “The essence of war is expanding beyond the traditional physical domains. We need a more proactive, threat-based approach. We need to place big bets on those technologies that can bring an exponential advantage, because, judging by the momentum gained, falling behind today means giving an advantage to opponents, after which it will be impossible to catch up with opponents."
The Autonomous Warrior exercises will also build on the experience gained in the previous AWE 2017 experiment, but taking into account new directions: the need for an intuitive combat control system, including the implementation of techniques for reading / sending data packets; audible warning signals; overlaying information on maps; return buttons; zoom function due to spreading and pinning fingers; remote deletion functions; and a prompt function.
In addition, the need for built-in calculators for counting ammunition was identified, for the compatibility of the user's end device with night vision goggles, in the options for the end devices mounted on the wrist.
Achieving Results
The industry has already reacted to another result of the AWE 2017 experiment. In June, Systematic unveiled a 3D visualization component for its SitaWare combat management software, designed to further enhance the dismounted soldier's familiarity.
Systematic's Hans Bolbro explains that the built-in 3D visualization tool in SitaWare Headquarters 6.7 allows users to “enhance the visualization” of the battlefield while retaining the same information and planning functions.
“This has a number of benefits. For example, when choosing possible observation posts, commanders receive a comprehensive picture of the operational space, allowing them to choose the most suitable positions to achieve the success of a combat mission."
However, Bolbro, referring in particular to the field of close combat, explained: “The biggest challenge so far is to get all the best and best systems with the necessary dimensions, weight and energy, as well as to develop various ways of using the user interface for the soldier on the field battle. While everyone is using smartphones with touchscreen technology, this may not be the best approach. There are new ways for the soldier to interact with their end-user device, tablet, head-up display, etc."
Citing operational control icon projection and graphics overlay on lenses of various optical devices as examples, he noted, “Several companies are considering integrating advanced augmented reality features into more elegant solutions without bulky headsets, or even projecting data onto the retina rather than the display. This is arguably the most important change for melee combat, bringing a more integrated user interface to the soldier."
“The battle management system is increasingly seen as a critical component of increasing the pace of operations, as well as safety. Knowing where your forces are is one of the key elements of the operation, as well as the ability to generate up-to-date situational awareness and exchange plans and commands on the battlefield."
Canada can
Director Daniel Thibodeau of the Integrated Soldier System (ISS) program confirmed that following NATO certification in June this year, the Canadian Army began deploying it. He added that ISS should eventually become compliant with NATO's STANAG 4677 standard, and its system architecture is still being improved and refined.
Speaking at the Future Soldier Technology conference. Thibodeau confirmed that the ISS program provides for the purchase of 4144 sets of equipment that will increase the capabilities of soldiers in close combat by increasing the level of knowledge of the situation and improved navigation systems, target detection and information exchange with other soldiers, weapons systems, sensors and vehicles.
In order to equip up to six "task forces" or battalions, this program received further impetus and moved to the second stage or Cycle 2. In the first phase or in Cycle 1, the "basic version of the wearable communication kit was initially developed, including data encryption and speech, logistic and technical support.
In accordance with the contract awarded to Rheinmetall Canada in 2015, an initial batch of 1,632 kits was delivered based on the Argus Next-Generation concept, which was presented at Eurosatory 2018. As Thibodeau confirmed, the first two task forces were equipped with ISS kits already this summer.
At the same exhibition, BAE Systems presented another Argus Next-Generation prototype. It features the Broadsword Spine open architecture hub, which was designed to reduce the weight, size and power consumption of a dismounted soldier. A sample of the technology demonstration was displayed with the words "Canadian ISS layout".
Also at Eurosatory were Broadsword integrations with Thales St @ R Mille radio, Persistent Systems MPU4 dedicated mobile network radio and Getac MX50 tablet.
ISS Cycle 2, which is expected to last from 4 to 5 years, focuses on product development in the following areas: the ability to establish communication with a combat vehicle; integration of existing and new soldier sensors; and the adoption to supply tablets, alternative headsets and navigation technologies. “Voice messages will remain important in combat, but there is a growing need for data transfer and therefore the Cycle will consider the possibility of data transfer between the ISS and the ground forces command support system,” Thibodeau explained.
However, Cycle 3 will implement further technological improvements based on the results of research and development. “The ISS has one variant with the same capabilities for everyone, from gunner to platoon commander. You use what you need, when you need it. We didn’t want to restrict the soldiers,”Thibodeau explained, referring to developments in the field of tactics, methods and methods of warfare conducted at the Training Center in Gagetown.
This test program was aimed at exploring the tactical use of user endpoints, for example, in parallel scanning of firing sectors using optical weapon sights.
“Much can be gained from appropriate combat training, but we have never had a problem until now, as soldiers know their job,” Thibodeau emphasized at the Future Soldier Technology conference. However, in his opinion, the rapid progress of technology will make it almost impossible to predict what may become available to the military in the next few years.
“I cannot predict which technologies will be available in five years. We will do some research in the defense industry, work with the business and determine where we want to go in the future. There is already one project to replace ISS. In essence, we know that a highly technology-dependent system will not last forever. So what happens next? Did we like her? Do we want to buy another product? Do we want to build on what we have understood and learned?"
The rise of the Bundeswehr
The German military is preparing plans to integrate the IdZ-ES system into its Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) by 2023. Currently under contract with Rheinmetall, upgrades to the existing IdZ-ES system include the integration of a "compact combat control system, as well as consideration of the IdZ-3 option."
According to a spokesman for the army, the armed forces are already working on a version of equipment for the shooter of a smaller form factor. This variant is distinguished by the so-called "electronic back", which includes a central battery and a power supply management system.
The previous version of the system was of a larger form factor. Therefore, this element was reconfigured due to problems associated with its poor ergonomics in combat vehicles, for example, in the new BMP "Puma". As you know, soldiers suffer from limited mobility inside the vehicle, including embarkation and disembarkation.
The variant, shown at Eurosatory 2018 in Paris by Rheinmetall Electronics, had a chest-mounted tablet computer, a communications control device, a headset, a programmable radio station and an acoustic shot detection system.
The German Armed Forces are also considering acquiring a command and control information (C4I) integrated into personal weapons, which has a push button on. Now the soldier does not need to remove his hands from the rifle in order to work with the combat control system or other subsystems. The new set of the shooter includes a helmet-mounted display, night vision goggles with an infrared channel, an "electronic back", an operational control unit - it will be used, among other things, for recognition and classification of targets, as well as navigation.
"The C4I operational control system of the IdZ-ES equipment, which has officially passed the security check, should be capable of processing classified data up to the" NATO classified "stamp, - confirmed the spokesman for the army.
It is assumed that the IdZ-ES system will network a dismounted soldier operating as part of a VJTF group with a wider range of weapons, including the Boxer BMP, a heavy weapons transporter, semi-autonomous ground robots, and nano and micro UAVs, including the Black drone. Hornet from FUR Systems.
Following the initial success of outfitting the future soldier, including FELIN and IdZ, the market continues to work closely with industry and the end-user community to develop solutions more suited to supporting missions throughout today's operational space.
However, no matter how matured the technology is, solutions must be supported by developed and proven principles of combat use, tactical techniques, methods and methods of warfare, as well as ergonomics, in order to allow dismounted soldiers conducting close combat to carry out their task safely and efficiently.
