Modern Soldier Armada International Compendium
2016/17
: The trusted source for defence technology analysis
DOMINATORTM Integrated Warrior Combat Suite Designed to highly enhance the effectiveness of the dismounted soldier As an Elbit Systems’ Light Warrior Combat Solution, the DOMINATOR suite enhances the combat effectiveness and survivability of soldiers across all military echelons. Comprised of a series of integrated hardware components, C4I applications and an advanced Load Carriage System developed by Elbit Systems, DOMINATOR revolutionizes user experience2016 forModern all Soldier dismounted users. 02 Compendium
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NATO forces conduct fast rope insertion which illustrates the importance of minimising combat loads during urban operations with casualties and sometimes fatalities continuing to be witnessed in training and operational environments.
NATO
Left To My Own Devices
The contemporary operating environment’s hybrid mix of regular and irregular warfare continues to be illustrated around the world with state and non-state actors employing a diverse range of Concepts of Operation (CONOP)
Andrew White
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uch CONOPs range from information operations involving a cyber dimension, through to kinetic strikes designed to create strategic, operational and tactical effects. Many of these CONOPs continue to be executed in highly contested and congested urban, suburban, subterranean and littoral environments, as well as more remote and inaccessible areas of the world. This means that armed forces must be well trained and sufficiently equipped to successfully execute such operations. All this must be achieved in an environment where any loss of human
life remains unacceptable to the taxpayers subsidising the operations, particularly in the West, where some elements of civilian populations have become increasingly critical of military action as a means to resolve security concerns. I Strategic Landscape
Within such a delicate environment, Counter Insurgency (COIN) operations remain highly prevalent missions for armed forces seeking to conduct internal security operations at home and abroad. For example, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s (ISIS) recent attacks in Brussels
on 22 March representing ISIS’ shrinking presence in northern Iraq and Syria, as the US-led air campaign against the movement in this part of the Middle East, coupled with Russia’s air campaign in full effect since late last year, continue to push the movement out of areas it controls in both these countries. However, despite these recent incursions into Western Europe, similar COIN operations continue to be conducted abroad with conventional and unconventional forces performing campaigns across multiple environments including tropical, desert, mountainous, cold
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The contemporary operating environment continues to witness an evolution towards military operations in urban terrain, as exemplified by US Army special forces practising rapid domination drills in buildings and compounds.
weather and temperate climates. Each of these pose different requirements for armed forces operating in extreme climatic conditions. Elsewhere, recent Russian involvement in Syria has led to a resurgence in the importance of combat identification systems for friendly forces and enemy forces across the battlefield. Although not
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working in collaboration with the US-led Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, which commenced in June 2014 to neutralise ISIS’ presence in the Middle East, Russian air forces and special operations units on the ground have been forced to deconflict with US and coalition counterparts in order to avoid ‘Blue-On-Green’ collateral damage.
Speaking to delegates at the Soldier Equipment Technology Advancement Forum (SETAF) in London on 14 March, representatives from the German, UK and US armed forces described “urgent” requirements for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) members to address interoperability issues including combat personnel, vehicle and base lo-
Meanwhile, the growing nature of multinational and multi-agency campaigns is also creating further considerations for armed forces to consider with NATO’s Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE held in Spain in November 2014 representing the first time members of the defence and security industry had been fully integrated into such an exercise. NATO commanders view their participation and feedback in such efforts as critical in fulfilling future armed forces requirements as combat units continue to suffer from ongoing financial constraints. Also present at the event was Richard Hansen, former programme manager for the US Army’s Programme Executive Office-Soldier Warrior, who warned delegates, “There is always a lot of focus on platforms. But really it comes down to the individual human who is part of that system and comes out the back of that platform.” Moreover, defence sources at SETAF explained to Armada how security priorities continued to move towards more homeland security and counter nuclear proliferation efforts which threaten to overshadow the requirements of dismounted soldiers at the lowest tactical level. No matter how uncertain the contemporary operating environment remains, what does remain assured are the areas in which current and future armed forces requirements will be focused as the future unfolds.
cation identification. One such defence source explained to Armada, “We won’t be fighting on our own so there is pressure on us to deliver a rudimentary common identification system. We can’t afford not to look at this and we have to do it quickly,” it was explained while referring to the 2019 timeframe for an initial operating capability across the alliance.
I Lethality
An ability to deliver lethal effects remains integral to much of the work of the armed forces, be it as a deterrent or as a practical course of action. However, ongoing research and development by academia, industry and military organisations appears to be agreed on how best to optimise it, via enhanced precision. Meanwhile, nextgeneration weapons appear unlikely to deviate from contemporary assault rifle and bullpup designs. However, the market is seeing increased adoption of suppressors (Sig Sauer appears to be one of the first to integrate a suppressor into its MCX rifle) while armed forces worldwide continue to monitor US Department of Defence (DoD) consideration of a calibre change from 5.56mm x 45mm to 6.5mm or 6.8mm ammunition. More than a decade of NATO and non-NATO operations in Afghanistan certainly did its best to nullify member states’ desire for enduring campaigns, endless expense and climbing casualty rates. Protection of deployed forces remains a high priority for force elements while a balance must be made with regards to appearing confident in the security measures of indigenous host armed forces who could view the carriage of overtly high levels of individual armour
I C2
As previously mentioned, C2 remains a critical component for dismounted forces, particularly in contested and denied environments against so-called ‘near peer’ adversaries with more mature technology. Concerns for the capability to maintain seamless communications and connectivity in a Global Positioning System (GPS)-denied environment continues to dominate research and de-
Andrew White
US DoD
I Power
Power, particularly when mobile, remains a critical issue for soldiers as commanders continue to place more emphasis on the integration of more and more Command and Control (C2) systems in order to maximise situational awareness across the battlefield. Although not yet mainstream (special forces are currently dabbling in this field), renewable energy sources such as solar power and fuel cell technology look set to play an important role in this area.
velopment work of armed forces with increased interest in Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) communications as units seek to minimise reliance upon satellite communications.
The international market continues to monitor consideration of a calibre switch in the US with 5.56mm potentially being swapped out for 6.5mm or 6.8mm ammunition.
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Revision Military
Revision Military’s initial concept for the US Special Operations Command’s TALOS is considering ergonomics, the integration of lethal, protective, C2 and mobility options into a single system.
as indicative of poor attitudes towards their own security measures. I Protection
The market has yet to witness the proliferation of liquid armour and current upgrades continue to comprise reductions in the size and weight of armour plate inserts by way of manufacturing improvements and the utility of new materials. Such enhanced protection comes at a price as continues to be witnessed with the US Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM’s) Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) which is working to develop new wearable technologies for commandos. In line with many other soldier modernisation programmes currently being facilitated globally, USSOCOM’s Joint Acquisition Task Force continues to juggle mobility and agility with the integration of additional body armour, sensors and weaponry.
and payloads, and protective solutions. Not only does this include ergonomic fits of technology and clothing but also efforts to assist the soldier to lower heart rates to improve marksmanship and physical performance, an area hitherto not focused on by defence ministries and departments beyond special forces. Each
of these factors previously listed will help shape the future soldier and their effectiveness to operate across a battlespace which is continually shifting and providing ever-increasing and evolving challenges, all of which will be considered in the following articles in Armada’s Modern Soldier Supplement.
Lessons learned in sniper development, including controlled heart rates, are now being rolled out across armed forces in order to improve operational efficiency alongside other human factors.
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US DoD
I Human Factors
Finally, armed forces appear to be paying attention to the human factors and ergonomics associated with the integration of weaponry, power solutions, C2 sensors
We Want Information!
Night Vision remains a stalwart for conventional forces although enemy combatants now have access to the same technology, but at lesser levels of sophistication.
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he C2 market is witnessing trends driven by the desire for improvements in size and weight with everything from communications and Electronic Warfare (EW) through to biometrics and blue force tracking capabilities downsized to the lowest tactical level. International efforts continue to be led by USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command) which is currently pursuing two major programmes to do precisely this for special forces cadres, with obvious implications for conventional soldiers in the near- to medium-term. I Radios
USSOCOM’s SOF (Special Operations Forces) Tactical Communications (STC) programme was first initiated in May 2014 to provide tactical Handheld (HH), Next Generation Man-Pack (NGMP) and Vehicle-Mounted (VM) capabilities
From CQB to semi-sniping capability in a split second!
US Army
Command and Control (C2) technology continues to dominate current operations with ever-increasing demands placed on airborne, maritime and landbased systems in support of dismounted users. Industry is stepping up to the challenge.
for conducting missions in austere conditions and at range. According to defence sources associated with USSOCOM, the effort is aimed at providing an integrated communications and reconnaissance capability down to the lowest tactical level of the special forces operative. The programme will have significant implications for more conventional units once the technology is established with these troops. The standard footprint radios will encompass a smartphone/tablet End User Device (EUD) and handheld tactical communications device allowing soldiers to achieve Line of Sight (LOS), Beyond LOS (BLOS) MANET (Mobile Ad Hoc Networking) communications as well as the capacity to send and receive Full Motion video (FMV), EW and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) data. On 29 September 2015, Harris was awarded a $390 million contract to deliver the STC
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I Mobility
US DoD
Airborne insertion, particularly in Afghanistan, could sometimes be unreliable due to high altitudes in the Hindu Kush.
HH phase of the programme having beaten competition from Thales, the latter of which has since disputed the contract award. As the Modern Soldier Supplement went to press, this situation had yet to be resolved. Speaking to Armada, a Harris spokesperson explained how the company’s solution would comprise a derivative of its Falcon-III series of tactical radios. The STC HH will be made in several form factors but both will include a requirement for concurrent two-channel communications in wide bands and narrow bands. The radios will also feature Integrated Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers. A spokesperson said, “The Harris STC handheld radio can operate in the harshest environments and meets rigorous requirements for small, lightweight, multiband, multi-function, multi-mission tactical radios. It can be upgraded easily and has built-in backward interoperability to communicate over legacy networks.” I MOUT
The STC HH is also being configured for optimised utility for Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) as well as maritime warfare, the latter of which requires the radio system to be capable of being
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submerged in up to 20 metres/m (65 feet/ ft) of saline water for a period of more than two hours. According to USSOCOM’s solicitation, it must also comprise the ability to update waveforms in line with contemporary software defined radios allowing the STC HH to be re-roled as necessary dependent upon mission requirements. Waveforms to be carried by the radio includes Harris’ Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform-C, Soldier TDMA (Time Division, Multiple Access) Networking Waveform, the Mid-Tier TDMA Networking Waveform, Soldier Radio Waveform and the Wideband Networking Waveform, the latter of the two also currently entering service with the US armed forces. The STC NGMP solicitation meanwhile, published a request for information on 10 June 2015, calling for “legacy single-channel narrow-band Type-1 encrypted LOS/BLOS communications, AES and Type-1 encrypted LOS wideband MANET waveforms, and an ability to receive and distribute Type-1 encrypted video, imagery and telemetry from SOFunique (reconnaissance) assets as well as the ability to cross-band waveforms from one channel to the other.” The solicitation explained how the STC NGMP should include an EUD capable of allowing operators to send and receive high defini-
tion FMV data; situational awareness, C2 and battle management information, plus voice and data transmission. Harris and Thales are both understood to be bidding for this second phase of the STC programme which is expected to be fielded in 2018 and beyond. Furthermore, USSOCOM’s TALOS (Tactical Assault Light Operation Suit) programme is seeking the integration of C2 technology down to the lowest level with its latest solicitation, presented to industry on 2 March, outlining requirements for wearable sensors typically seen onboard larger tactical ground vehicles, maritime vessels and even fixed-wing aircraft. Systems highlighted include tagging, tracking and location systems; biometrics and forensics data gathering tools; geospatial intelligence, imagery intelligence, SIGINT and low visibility communications capabilities. More specifically, this latter requirement includes demand for MANET and over-the-horizon communications; high bandwidth data and information management, C2, advanced signature management, precision moving target geo-location, cursor-on-target head-up display; and all-source fusion and distribution of data across the battlefield. Solutions are expected to run on small, high energy
US Army
Thermal imaging technology continues to gain popularity on the contemporary battlefield, particularly as a capability to be used to detect enemy troop movements during daylight conditions as well as in the dark hours.
power sources with an ability to update using radio waveforms while providing low probability of interception and detection, the solicitation reads. I Enhancing Vision
Referring to the integrated head-up display for TALOS, USSOCOM officials explained to Armada how such capabilities were traditionally only ever accessible to Tactical Operations Centres (TOCs) and larger EUDs such as ruggedised laptops, tablets and smartphones. Additionally, officials described requirements arising from the contemporary operating environment, where “current tactics, techniques and procedures depend heavily on equipment that can be jammed or spoofed to prevent the device from acquiring GPS data.” “USSOCOM seeks to develop tactical communications that use difficult-to-detect RF (Radio Frequency) waveforms that still can move large amounts of data in the battlespace. Research results of systems that involve the interaction of RF and optical parts of the spectrum would have a direct correlation to antenna systems (wireless and arrays) and potentially provide performance improvements and decrease the Size, Weight
and Power (SWAP) demands for integrated systems,” USSOCOM officials asserted. They added, “USSOCOM is interested in advanced technologies which provide multi-spectral signature management for personnel and vehicles while minimising the SWAP and operational burdens on the operator. The preference is for technologies that can be integrated into existing uniforms and vehicles without impacting their operational performance.” Elsewhere in the C2 domain, Harris continues to roll out its Night Vision Goggles (NVG) designed to significantly enhance more traditional Image Intensification (I2) viewing devices with fused I2 and Thermal Imaging (TI) capabilities as well as integrated Augmented Reality (AR) software. So far, the company has been contracted to deliver a total of 12000 variants across its Tactical Mobility NVG (TMNVG) family of products which includes the AN/PSQ-20A Spiral Enhanced NVG (9000 of which have been delivered to the US Army), TMNVG (5000 of which have so far been supplied to the Italian Army’s Combato Futuro soldier modernisation programme) and TMNVG Fused products, which are currently being demonstrated to potential custom-
ers across the US and ‘Five Eyes’ partner nations, namely Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. In April 2016, Elbit Systems announced that it had secured a contract worth circa $30 million to supply XACTth65 thermal weapons sights to the Australian Department of Defence. Despite the sight’s light weight, it is capable of supporting dismounted operations in day and night. The acquisition forms part of the Australian Army’s Project Land 125 soldier modernisation initiative. The fulfilment of the order is expected to take around two years, according to Australian press reports. This latest order builds on recent successes which Elbit has enjoyed in Australia, such as the provision of the Australian Army’s BGC3 battle management system. Night vision systems, with the exception of the TMNVG (which currently comprises purely an I2 sight picture), are capable of providing soldiers with a fused I2 and TI view overlaid onto a real-world view. According to Harris’ Eric Garris, business development manager at the company, the TMNVG Fused product represents the latest state-of-the-art technology which will soon be made
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Camero Camero’s Xaver 400 is being marketed to more conventional armed forces as a ‘go/no go’ decision maker for room clearance drills as part of wider military operations in urban terrain.
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within a ten metre (32ft) bubble, similar to requirements for the USSOCOM’s TALOS programme. Such capacity, for example, would allow assault teams to share targeting data ahead of a breach into a building or compound as part of an arrest operation to capture High Value Targets (HVTs).
I The Wall
Today’s emphasis on MOUT and COIN operations is perfectly summarised by specialist equipment including Camero’s See-Through-Wall technology, which provides soldiers with a capability to observe activities within an enclosed room before breaching. Currently, Camero supplies a number of undisclosed special forces worldwide with its Xaver product line which includes its 100, 400 and 800 series Camero
available in monocular and binocular configurations. Featuring the company own i-Aware software, soldiers wearing the TMNVG Fused variant will be able to receive and disseminate reconnaissance data including C2 information, FMV from supporting air assets, blue and red force tracking, navigational information via GPS coordinates and map overlays, target acquisition information and instant chat messages. Information will be connected to the Jagwire EUD which features USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection ports. TMNVG Fused systems can be networked to tactical radios such as Harris’ AN/PRC-152 on the battlefield. A first tranche of 100 TMNVG Fused models is due to be delivered to an anonymous NATO country for fielding with rapid reaction forces, although Mr. Garris was unable to provide any further details. It also emerged that the first TMNVG with AR integrated capabilities would be made available to the international market in 2017 and onwards. According to Mr. Garris, the technology continues to be developed following its proof-of-concept in 2015. Finally, TMNVG variants will also soon feature a WiFi capability allowing assault team members to swap reconnaissance and situational awareness data
Mr. Garris explained to Armada how a low energy RF signal could achieve this with a low probability of intercept. Furthermore, Harris has revealed plans to take this a stage further with the design of an Ultra Wide Band (UWB) signal, providing a larger bubble for data dissemination as well as a reduction in wires carried by a soldier, which can present what is known as a ‘snag hazard’ when working in congested and built-up areas. Mr. Garris explained, “Running wireless connectors gives you greater flexibilty without snag hazard. as well as expanding the potential number of sensors carried on a soldier, such as the integration of commercial bluetooth for biometrics … At the next level, the UWB, provides a much greater bandwidth for data transfer of high resolution sensors and greater rate and speed of data transmissions, integration of weapons sights and goggles information fused together,” he concluded.
The Xaver 100, initially designed in response to Special Forces requirements for a See Through Wall capability, provides a lightweight solution for armed forces reluctant to enter rooms without some kind of situation awareness.
Falconview
models. However, the company is seeking to extend the availability of the product to more conventional forces particularly to assist urban warfare. Speaking to Armada, company officials explained, “We are trying to implement this technology into larger conventional military formations and beyond SOF. So we are working on something to detect objects up to 70m (229ft) away but remain unsure as to whether it will be vehicle-mounted … The world will take time to understand this technology and for a soldier to change TTPs will take years. But Xaver will become bigger and change capabilities in the urban environment. Commanders want speed and this technology is all about thinking quickly,” the spokesperson added. The technology is already in use with the Israeli Defence Force elements of which rely upon the technology to penetrate walls made of cement, brick, plaster and concrete up to 850mm in thickness. It takes the various systems up to ten seconds to provide an operator with the situational awareness required as a ‘go/ no go’ method of entry into a building, by identifying enemy and hostage movement within a room.
End User Devices for situational awareness continue to be downsized with ruggedised tablets and smartphone devices now proliferating across the battlefield.
Similar to its larger counterparts, the Xaver 100 comprises a handheld device operating in the three gigahertz to ten gigahertz radio frequency range. Relying upon Micro Power Ultra Wide Band pulsed radar sensors, the Xaver 100 has a small size which provides an easilyportable solution able to be carried in a backpack and powered by a pair of AA batteries. The unit can also be remotelyoperated with a wireless capability at ranges up to 100m (328ft), with an operator using an EUD to monitor activity. Providing a slightly heavier SeeThrough-Wall capability is the Xaver 400 which allows an operator to view a threedimensional and more detailed view of a room. Camero officials refer to the system as a “quick tactical decision-making tool for urban operations,” providing not only information regarding enemy combatants and hostages, but also their movements in the room and any objects which could hinder assaulting troops. The Xaver 400 comprises an all up weight of 3.2 kilograms/kgs (seven pounds/lbs). The largest variants within the family is the Xaver 800 which has been designed for “mission-critical, accurate real-time information on live and static objects from behind solid walls or barriers including presence of life in the room, number of people and their location inside a room, tracking of target movement patterns, target height and orientation, and room layout, including dimensions and major infrastructure elements,” Camero officials described to Armada. Described as a “full three-dimensional (reconnaissance) device”, the system comprises an all-up weight of 14.5kgs (31.9lbs), and the platform is still capable of being carried onto a target by an (Explosive) Method of Entry team. Finally, Camero explained to Armada how a series of technology enhancements were in progress to optimise the utility of Xaver products across the evolving battlefield with specific areas of interest including reduction in the generation of false alarms and increased range. However, it was highlighted that such enhanced capability, particularly regarding extended range, would involve significant weight and size increases. Sources suggested to Armada that such increases might not be satisfactory for armed forces striving to achieve SWAP reductions across the battlefield for dismounted soldiers, already weighed down with large amounts of equipment.
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Hitting Where It Hurts With the advancement in equipment and technology associated with ‘Near Peer’ states including Russia, NATO members and other allied nations are becoming increasingly concerned with regards to being overmatched.
Norwegian MoD
Armed forces continue to prepare for more conventional operations against ‘near peer’ adversaries, with particular emphasis on anti-tank operations.
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and not in 25 to 30 minutes. I XM25
Referring to the future integration of counter-defilade weapon systems such as the experimental XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement system Lt. Col. Vest questioned whether this particular weapon would provide a capability for one round to be fired in order to quickly end a fire fight. According to US Army sources, the XM25 will soon begin its final phase of acceptance testing ahead of entry into service. It is designed to provide soldiers with a “revolutionary weapon system that breaks the current small arms direct fire parity.” US Army sources described how preproduction qualification testing would occur later in 2016 followed by limited user tests in the third quarter, with Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) by the end of the year. Should the weapon receive the go-ahead from the army, initial units could receive the technology in 2019.
According to the US Department of Defence budget request for 2017, the XM25 is described as a “number one materiel solution to mitigate a critical capability gap” in ground-based force elements TTPs (Tactics, Techniques and Procedures). The army’s plan for 2017 could see up to 105 weapons procured under the LRIP. The weapon was first deployed to support US operations in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013 with tactical formations satisfied regarding the XM25’s ability to end fire fights more quickly than traditional weapons. However, development was put on hold due to a personal injury situation regarding a weapon malfunction. Describing the XM25’s gamechanging capability, a spokesperson for the US Army’s Soldier Programme Executive Office explained to Armada, “It dramatically increases soldier lethality and range with a family of 25mm programmable ammunition.” Comprising a semi-automatic, individually-fired weapon, the XM25 pro-
The US Army’s XM25 25mm Counter Defilade Target Engagement system which could be equipping front line units in 2019 and beyond, significantly enhancing lethal effects open to dismounted soldiers.
US Army
A
ccording to Lieutenant Colonel Iain Moodie of the dismounted close combat capability directorate at the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, many NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) countries are now “trying to keep (their) heads above the water rather than overmatching anybody at the moment.” Referring to a resurgence in the capabilities of the Russian armed forces in recent years, Lt. Col. Moodie explained to delegates at London’s SETAF (Soldier Equipment and Technology) event on 14 March how NATO members were in danger of being overmatched “pretty quickly.” Additionally, US Army officials have explained an ongoing desire to equip soldiers with an “immediate overmatch” capability with US Army Lt. Col. John Vest of the US Army’s Training and Doctrine Command asking at the SETAF event whether current weaponry and supporting technologies can provide such capacity to end a contact as soon as possible
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US DoD
Saab’s Carl Gustaf anti-tank weapon provides dismounted soldiers with an ever increasing inventory of warheads, making it an attractive solution for infantry units operating in urban environments.
Heckler and Koch
Heckler and Koch’s M320 40mm x 45mm underslung grenade launcher which the British Army is considering replacing or reinforcing with Saab’s family of Carl Gustaf anti-tank weapons.
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vides soldiers with a maximum range of 500 metres/m (1640 feet/ft) for point targets (700m/2296ft for area targets), allowing them to engage targets “quickly and accurately,” army officials explained. Similar to 40mm grenades currently in service worldwide, the XM25’s ammunition requires an arming distance of 35m (14ft), thereby reducing its effectiveness For close quarter battle, “It produces an adjusted aimpoint based on range, environmental factors, weapon elevation and cant. The target acquisition/fire control integrates thermal capability with direct view optics, laser rangefinder, fuse setter, ballistic computer and an internal display,” an army official added. The weapon has been designed to not only enhance the lethality of the squad, fire team and individual soldier but also to minimise reliance of small units on non-organic fire support such as mortars, close air support and artillery, particularly with the time associated for the pro-
GDOTS
The FN Herstal SCAR-H is one 7.62mm assault rifle currently being considered by armed forces seeking enhanced stopping power in place of less lethal 5.56mm ammunition.
vision and successful execution of these joint fires missions. The weapon is manufactured by Orbital ATK with Heckler and Koch responsible for assisting the development of its 25mm airburst ammunition while L3 Integrated Optical Systems has designed target acquisition and fire control system features. Speaking to Armada at January’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas, defence sources explained how the small arms market was witnessing little advancement in technology beyond more standard assault rifle and Bullpup rifle designs in terms of ergonomics. However, what has become a now common belief across armed forces worldwide is the requirement to enhance lethality through the integration of advanced accessories, sensors and payloads on weapons as well as enhanced training regimes for soldiers. According to speakers at the SETAF event in London, optimised lethality
can be achieved by “greater precision” of small arms and their operators. However, it has emerged that the British Army is now considering equipping sections with just semi-automatic assault rifles and no belt-fed machine gun support weapon in order to respond to these calls for improved precision across the battlefield. Speaking to delegates at SETAF, Lt. Col. Moodie explained how sections operating under the command of infantry platoons could have FN Herstal 5.56mm x 45mm Light Machine Guns (LMGs) withdrawn from service while platoons could soon lose the capability of the FN Herstal L7A2 7.62mm x 51mm General Purpose Machine Gun, a stalwart of the British Army for decades. He explained how the MoD was seeking to implement a “precision-versus-suppression” mindset, stating that “we are looking at replacing (the LMG) with more precision.”
Options for the British Army include the revival of the 5.56mm x 45mm Light Support Weapon (LSW) or equipping of all soldiers in a section with BAE Systems’ L85A2/SA80A2 assault rifles and the Lewis Machine and Tool L129A1 7.62mm sharpshooter rifle, brought into service with sections following an urgent operational requirement during Operation HERRICK, the UK deployment to Afghanistan. According to Lt. Col. Moodie, the LSW outperformed the LMG in field tests, a series of which were conducted in 2015. However, the British Army appears to be waiting in line alongside much of NATO, regarding the US Army’s next-generation calibre selection. With an out-of-service date for the L85A2 projected to be in 2025, any suggestion regarding switching away from 5.56mm x 45mm to alternative ammunition such as 7.62mm and 6.5mm would heavily rely upon a US decision to do likewise.
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IWI
IWI’s family of ACE assault rifles (the ACE 21 being illustrated) has been selected by the Chilean Army and continues to be considered by armed forces around the world.
I Carl Gustaf
Elsewhere, British Army sources suggested to Armada that “woeful” 60mm mortar systems could be replaced in the future with the Saab Carl Gustaf anti-tank recoilless rifle and its associated family of munitions. Saab’s M4 Carl Gustaf could be an option for the British Army, particularly after the company informed Armada how the latest variant in its family of anti-tank weapons would be qualified in “early 2016.” The Slovakian Armed Forces are already a customer for the M4 with initial deliveries understood to be planned throughout 2016. Company literature describes the M4 as a “manportable, multi-role weapon system that provides high tactical flexibility through its wide range of ammunition types”. A Saab spokesperson added that the “M4 represents an evolution in the capabilities of (infantry soldiers). To see its multirole flexibility in action is to understand the true impact that this new system will have on tomorrow’s ground combat operations.”
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The 84mm M4 comprises an all up weight of less than seven kilograms (15.4 pounds/lbs) (compared to ten kilograms/22lbs for the M3 variant) with improved ergonomics over its M3 predecessor, as well as the introduction of an intelligent sighting system (providing connectivity between the optic and round for automatic selection of ammunition type) and reduced ‘action time’ for an operator to bring the weapon to bear onto a target. Additionally, an ammunition counter has been integrated for optimised logistics and maintenance support. The M4 also includes a red dot sight option: “On the modern battlefield, speed can mean the difference between life and death for dismounted infantry. Operational success depends upon soldiers that can react quickly and effectively in any tactical situation … As technologies evolve, weaponry needs to keep pace over cutting-edge capabilities. Programmable ammunition is just one innovation that is set to revolutionise the battlefield for dismounted infantry. Today’s dis-
mounted infantry face a broader range of battlefield challenges than ever before. Having a single weapon for all situations increases their tactical flexibility and reduces the amount of equipment that they carry,” the spokesperson added. The M4 has been designed to provide troops with a capability to destroy armoured targets as well as enemy personnel in cover, and to provide route clearance of obstacles and anti-materiel fire missions to clear buildings during Military Operations in Urban Terrain. A total of eleven ammunition options are available to customers including the high explosive anti-tank, multi-role/anti-structure, anti-armour, illumination, smoke, support and antipersonnel munitions. Rounds are capable of penetrating 500mm of armour and can also be launched from confined spaces in line emerging MOUT requirements. However, Saab sources explained to Armada how the company was continuing to future-proof its Carl Gustaf technology with increased warhead efficiency; further capabilities for firing in confined spaces;
increased range; increased precision; reduced reaction time; and increased tactical flexibility. Finally, Lt. Col. Moodie suggested that the British Army could soon switch out its Heckler and Koch M320 Underslung Grenade Launchers with Milkor’s M32A 140mm Multi Shot Grenade Launcher, as used by the US Marine Corps and US Special Operations Command. The gas plug operated, semi-automatic and revolving action weapon comprises a medium and low velocity system capable of firing six grenades within three seconds or less, Milkor explained to Armada. Firing low velocity ammunition, the weapon has a maximum range for point targets out to 125m (410ft) and 400m (1312ft) for area targets. When firing medium velocity ammunition, it is capable of hitting point targets at 250m (620ft) and area targets out to 800m (2624ft). I Pakistan
Elsewhere, Pakistan’s armed forces are looking at options to replace their legacy Heckler and Koch G3 7.62mm and Norinco Type 56 assault rifles follow-
ing recent consideration of FN Herstal’s Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle, Beretta’s ARX-200, Zastava’s M21, Česká Zbrojovka’s CZ-806 BREN-2, and Kalashnikov’s AK-103. This was revealed by Pakistan’s chief of army staff, General Raheel Sharif upon a visit to the stateowned Pakistan Ordnance Factories in March. According to Pakistan defence sources, consideration of a small arms programme began in November 2015 with a test programme understood to have been initiated in January 2016, comprising the aforementioned weapons. Any requirement could see up to 500,000 weapons demanded to equip the entire armed forces (the country’s army, navy, air force, marines and paramilitary forces). In June 2015, the Pakistan government revealed it planned to increase investment in defence and security with eleven percent increases on 2015/2016 figures as the Ministry of Defence seek to continue COIN operations in the northeastern Federally Administered Tribal Areas. Elsewhere, the Chilean Army has revealed plans to upgrade its inventory
of Sig SG540 (5.56mm) and SG542-1 (7.62mm) assault rifles. Announcing the news at the FIDAE event on 29 March, Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejército de Chile (FAMAE) unveiled upgraded versions of the rifles which will be called the SG540-1M and SG542-1M respectively. The upgraded weapons will be used by the army in support of its Israel Weapons Industries’ Galil ACE22 assault rifle (also 5.56mm x 45mm) which was down-selected by the service in 2014. The Chilean Army will receive 22000 weapons from IWI this year. The upgrade decision will allow the army to retain flexibility to select 5.56mm and/or 7.62mm weapons dependent upon mission specifications. The upgrades will be carried out at FAMAE’s factory in Talagante, Chile, with work expected to begin in 2016/2017. A total of 50000 rifles will be upgraded under the contract agreement which includes new foregrips/bipod and variable stocks, a rail adaptor system allowing for the integration of an underslung grenade launcher, and an optical gun sight.
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Gettin’ Around With the contemporary environment continuing to demand high mobility over long ranges for armed forces, requirements continue to be satisfied with emerging technologies based around Internally Transportable Vehicles (ITVs).
Finnish MoD
The General Dynamics’ Flyer family of vehicles is being pitched to special forces and infantry units requiring the capability to dominate the so-called ‘tyranny of distance’.
I
TVs should be capable of being stowed internally onboard a heavylift rotorcraft such as a Boeing CH47F Chinook helicopter, a BellBoeing CV/MV-22A Osprey tilt rotor or a fixed-wing Lockheed Martin C-130J turboprop freighter. Such a concept provides a rapid reaction capability to troops seeking to deploy at extended ranges with a mobile and highly lethal vehicle for further covert, discreet and overt insertion into a target area. This particular concept of operations is being driven by the international special forces community although more conventional forces are also now seeing the benefits of such technology to overcome the socalled ‘tyranny of distance.’ ITV options include the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) Flyer family of vehicles, which according to the firm’s business director for lightweight tactical vehicle
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programmes, Mike Iacobucci, provide armed forces with interoperability for multinational/multi-agency operations as well as long range insertion/extraction and re-supply capabilities. “Most places where enemy forces are operating, tend to be much further away and on purpose in some cases. So, in order to get there, (armies) need an ITV capability so that when the aircraft hits the ground, generally offset by some distance, they can rapidly move to a point on the ground where the enemy is located … Getting closer to the target area by fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft has not been a problem, but what do troops do when they get there? That has always been the problem. Everybody recognises the need to employ some kind of mobility platform from the back of an aircraft and allow forces to rapidly move to an objective. If a vehicle is configurable and can accommodate significant payload
including a suite of weapons, then that’s all the better,” he explained to Armada. I Air Portability
GDOTS was contracted by US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in August 2013 to deliver its Ground Mobility Vehicle 1.1 requirement, which called for the delivery of 1300 vehicles over a seven year period. A total of 650 have been funded to date with an initial operational and training evaluation programme completed in January. According to Mr. Iacobucci, initial deliveries of the GMV 1.1, which is based on the GDOTS Flyer 72 ITV, started at the beginning of April. The four-wheel drive vehicle can be internally stowed onboard CH-47F and C-130J aircraft. However, the platform is not small enough to fit inside a CV/ MV-22A. The vehicle can accommodate up to nine personnel with equipment, with each platform also armed with mul-
Polaris Defence
Polaris Defence’s DAGOR vehicle has been supplied to Australia and continues to be evaluated by multiple forces around the world including the UAE.
tiple weapons mounts (such as 5.56mm, 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns and 40mm automatic grenade launchers) and a Command and Control (C2) suite including navigation aids, tactical communications and situational awareness technology. According to GDOTS, the Flyer 72 is “highly adaptable to severe, rugged and restrictive terrains while providing offroad, cross-country mobility in all types of weather conditions.” This particular vehicle is also part of a foreign military sale to an undisclosed NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) country in Europe, worth a contract value of $5.6 million, Mr. Iacobucci added. The vehicle will also be on show at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris this June. Rather confusingly, the
US Army has now changed the nomenclature of its very own ITV programme from the ‘Ultra Light Combat Vehicle’ (ULCV) programme to the ‘Ground Mobility Vehicle’ (GMV) programme, with a request for proposals expected to be issued towards the end of 2016. Should this programme receive the go-ahead, it will provide an ITV capability down to the lowest tactical level across the combat arms of the US Army, thereby representing the first major extension of this capability away from special forces. The effort is being managed by the Combat Support and Combat Service Support Programme Executive Office within the US Army which has already voiced requirements including underslung carriage below the Sikorsky UH-60
Blackhawk family of medium-lift utility helicopters used by the US Army. Additionally, the US Army is studying options for a Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (LRV) which would share considerable crossover with the GMV, although the former is expected to comprise a more weaponised version with a requirement for an Orbital ATK M230 chain gun and Raytheon Long Range Advanced Scout Sensor optronics reconnaissance payload as well as the capacity to carry six personnel. Additionally, industry sources suggested to Armada that vehicles could easily be re-configured from ULCV to LRV and vice versa within “minutes”. Contender vehicles for both programmes also include the Boeing/MSI Defense Phantom Badger, Hendrick Dynamics Commando
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Nimr Automotive
Nimr’s Ajban Special Operations Vehicle conducted desert trials with the UAE armed forces between June and September 2015. The company is due to unveil a new vehicle variant later in 2016.
Jeep, Vyper Adamas Viper, Lockheed Martin High Versatility Tactical Vehicle and a number of options from Polaris which, like GDOTS, have already been contracted to USSOCOM for the delivery of ITV platforms. I Polaris Defence
vations to keep our customers safe. The contemporary operating environment has changed significantly in recent years with the shift to asymmetric warfare and the result of this is we are seeing a general shift to protected vehicles for missions including logistics and utility functions,” Dr. Harhara concluded. Such thoughts regarding tactical mobility are echoed by Mr. Malikowski, who explained to Armada how an increasing number of countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, are interested in the ITV capability. He described two undisclosed contracts awarded to the company in February to provide MRZR-2/4 ITV options to Central African and Asia-Pacific countries as well as interest being generated in Canada with that country’s Enhanced All Terrain Vehicle programme. Polaris Defence is also planning to unveil two upgraded versions of the MRZR ITV at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference in Tampa, Florida in May in response to such emerging requirements.
According to Polaris Defence’s director of international business development, Doug Malikowski, the company’s fleet of MRZR-2, MRZR-4 and Deployable Advanced Ground Off-Road (DAGOR) vehicles allow armed forces to move personnel across the battlefield quickly with a minimal footprint on the ground. “We are finding additional customers in this market space, with better logistics capabilities to service vehicles as they take them outside the US and use within allied countries,” Mr. Malikowski explained. The company is already contracted to USSOCOM with a $83 million deal to supply MRZR-2 and MRZR-4 ITVs over a five-year contract period. Additionally, the company is awaiting findings of field trials in the United Arab I Australian Army Emirates (UAE) following desert trials conducted between June and Septem- Elsewhere, the Australian Army has elected to extend the evaluation prober 2015 with competitors including the gramme of its Combat Reconnaissance UAE’s Nimr Automotive Ajban Special Operations Vehicle. The UAE armed Vehicle (CRV) requirement which is forces require a two-ton vehicle for in- seeking the procurement of 225 platforms. The decision was published on ternal transport onboard rotary- and 1 April, falling under the Project Land fixed-wing platforms. 400 programme designed to enhance the As Nimr Automotive’s chief executive officer Dr. Fahad Saif Harhara explained “mounted close combat capability by providing armoured fighting vehicles with to Armada, the contemporary operating improved firepower, protection, mobilenvironment continues to demand more ity and communication characteristics of dismounted soldiers with mobility to enable tactical success in the contemhigh on the agenda. “Today’s battlefield porary and future operational environposes a variety of challenges with vehicles ment,” according to the army. The effort designed to integrate with a variety of mission systems to enhance crew effec- is designed to replace General Dynamics tiveness, situational awareness and mili- ASLAV (Australian Light Armoured Vehicle) and BAE Systems/United Defence tary command and control,” he explained while highlighting requirements for out- M-113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carrier platforms with the CRV, infantry fightstanding terrain accessibility, physical protection for survivability from home- ing vehicles, manoeuvre support vehicles made bomb, blast and ballistic threats. and integrated training systems. “The highest priority for the army is to reThe Ajban series of vehicles also includes place the ASLAV fleet with a CRV due C2, fire support, troop carrying, infantry fighting, reconnaissance, logistics and in- to obsolescence factors that constrain tactical employment and increase the ternal security variants with vehicles now being manufactured at Nimr Automo- cost of ownership. These obsolescence factors cannot be mitigated through uptive’s new operations centre in Abu Dhabi grade, and without replacement starting which opened on 15 March. “Modern in 2020 a capability gap will result,” a warfare is constantly evolving and we spokesperson for the Australian Defence must be constantly looking to the future of new technologies, materials and inno- Force explained to Armada.
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Power Trip The modern soldier market continues to see particular emphasis placed on reductions of in the Size, Weight and Power (SWAP) of batteries in order to reduce the burden on the dismounted soldier, while maximising the electricity available to power their needs
US DoD
The military’ s demand for electricity shows no signs of diminishing, hence the need for lighter, and higher performance, batteries.
T
he SETAF (Soldier Equipment Technology Advancement Forum) event held in London this March heard from the German, UK and US armed forces regarding ongoing struggles to reduce the weight carried by soldiers, with mobility over the battlefield as well as protection remaining critical. Lieutenant Colonel Iain Moodie, of the British Army’s dismounted close combat capability directorate noted at SETAF that the maximum combat weight for reconnaissance patrols has been identified to comprise 40 kilograms/kgs (88 pounds/lbs), while research has found that no more than 25kgs (55lbs) should be carried by soldiers when conducting offensive action missions, particularly in the urban environment. Explaining how soldiers operating in
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Afghanistan had typically carried combat loads of 58kgs (127.6lbs), Lt. Col. Moodie warned how musculoskeletal injuries continued to represent significant long term problems for the armed forces. “If we increase the weight, cognitive performance is reduced and they get tunnel vision which in turn effects survivability. We have to reduce kit to enable dismounted (soldiers) to do their jobs and increase situational awareness,” he warned delegates at SETAF. Such thoughts were reiterated by US sources who cautioned how the addition of more batteries to increase the mission endurance of dismounted soldiers would inevitably mean increases in the weight of future soldier concepts including the US Army’s Nett Warrior effort. One such military source explained to Armada how environmental conditions in Afghanistan,
in particular, had created a distrust in the logistical re-supply chain, with soldiers willing to carry extra batteries and magazines of ammunition in case they were not re-supplied due to airframe unavailability or topographical constrictions (areas of eastern Afghanistan were difficult to access by helicopters due to high altitudes). “Sometimes, soldiers don’t trust they’re going to get re-supplied. If I can stash away an extra magazine or box of ammunition and batteries, I’ll do that as well. We’re our own worst enemy in a lot of cases and some are not willing to break that down,” the sources explained. I Equipment
According to the former programme manager at the US Army’s Soldier Programme Executive Office, Richard Han-
US Army
sen, the Nett Warrior’s basic ensemble weighs just 1.6kgs (3.5lbs) and comprises a General Dynamics/Thales AN/PRC154A Rifleman Radio, Samsung Galaxy S5 Smartphone End User Device (EUD), Rockwell Collins AN/PSN-13 DAGR (Defence Advanced Global Positioning System Receiver) and centralised battery system. The US Army describes the Nett Warrior programme as enabling infantry squads, fire teams and individual soldiers to “pinpoint the location of (homemade bombs), (enemy combatant) cells, or high value targets with improved speed and precision … Nett Warrior enhances dismounted soldiers’ survivability by rapidly disseminating locations of suspected enemy (explosives) and snipers on the EUD and also helps prevent fratricide by providing locations of mounted forces and dismounted friendly soldiers,” an army spokesperson explained to Armada. So far, the army has received 7000 ensembles with an additional 10000 in the production pipeline, destined for both USSOCOM and army units. A total of 60000 ensembles are expected to be issued to the US armed forces over the next few years. Existing power solutions for Nett Warrior include the Squad Power Manager 5590 solution and Modular Universal Battery Charger (MUBC), both of which are manufactured by Thales. Explaining the technology, Mr. Hansen described how the MUBC in particular would be well positioned to replace a wide variety of battery chargers currently in the army’s inventory. The news follows a $49 million contract award by the US Army to Thales for the delivery of the Universal Battery Charger, a variant of the MUBC, which will be fielded at platoon and squad levels. However, Thales officials explained to Armada that further reductions in size could see the technology equipping individual soldiers in the near future. The UBC will be capable of supporting platoon and squad level operations for more than 72 hours with a capability to charge a variety of power systems including Lithium Ion batteries. Protonex, a US-based company, is currently supporting Nett Warrior and other specialist initiatives including the US Special Operations Command’s Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit with regards to reducing SWAP parameters for battery power and associated Command and Control (C2) systems. “The power suites needed to keep these multiple de-
The US Army has been an early adopter of End User Devices to provide increasing amounts of information to soldiers on the battlefield. In this picture, a US Army medic employs an EUD to check medical records.
vices powered has seen huge advances as powers virtually any (portable) military well. Conformal batteries, wearable and equipment, recharges a squad’s batterform fitting, provide increased power ies and intelligently adjusts to changing without the bulk of conventional batter- mission conditions or requirements.” The ies, and power manager systems allow unit comprises six power ports allowing multiple incompatible devices to feed for concurrent recharging and features off these batteries and even recharge the a display informing the user of battery battery from multiple sources, including status. Two ports can also support resolar blankets … The Nett Warrior sys- newable energy or solar recharging. Adtem shares a single lightweight battery ditional features provide a capability to to power both commercial and military operate when submerged in water; warnsystem components and includes the ing LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) for solcapability to charge that battery on the diers when battery power is critically low; go. As such, it is being embraced by dis- and data analysis function for after action mounted infantry and special operations review and mission planning. teams that need to operate untethered Meanwhile, Protonex is also marfrom wall outlets and vehicles for long keting its Vest Power Manager 402 periods of time,” a company spokesper- unit, which the company claims offers a son explained. “user friendly solution to the challenges The company has designed the Squad of managing and utilising any power Power Manager 622 system to comprise a source for commonly used military demulti-port recharging system which also vices.” The Vest Power Manager, which boasts the capacity to manage and priori- is smaller in size in comparison to the tise usage of power. The unit is available in Squad Power Manager, is made up of just handheld and man-pack configurations, four power ports with additional power dependent upon combat loads required management capabilities via a display. for particular missions. According to a “With this capability, a (soldier) can becompany spokesperson the Squad Power gin a dismounted mission assured that Manager is designed to offer up a “light- every battery in their kit is fully charged. weight, compact and rugged intelligent The VPM-402 provides on-the-go batpower management solution designed to tery recharge from solar panels, vehicles, withstand the harsh operating conditions or virtually any other source,” the comof military field use. This unit directly pany proclaimed.
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US Army
The increasing quantity of optronics being employed by soldiers on and off their weapons is adding to demands for batteries and power generation sources.
I Computing Power unmanned aerial vehicles, and comElsewhere in the US, the Defence Ad- mand and control systems on submarines. vanced Research Projects Agency “Such computational capabilities could be (DARPA) is pressing ahead with a next- improved if the amount of computation generation battery solution, designed to that can be performed per watt were inenhance the power and efficiency of C2 creased,” DARPA added while explaining systems during a mission. A $10 million how currently research has proven a reaward was made to IBM in September quirement for at least 50 GFLOPS/W for 2015 to consider architecture, concur- contemporary operations. rency, resilience, locality, algorithms, Meanwhile, the Israeli Defence Force simulation and testing concepts with a (IDF) has contracted Arotech to supply view to increasing current capabilities dismounted force elements with 70000 from 1 Giga Floating Point Operation Per Lithium Ion rechargeable batteries in Second Per Watt (GFLOPS/W; a measure 2016 and beyond. Highlighting the $8.5 of computer performance) to 75. Accord- million contract, Elizier Hasson, senior ing to DARPA literature, the programme director for C4I procurement in the seeks to “increase the power efficiency directorate of procurement and producof deployed embedded systems, provid- tion at the Israeli Ministry of Defence, ing greater computational capability and described how the procurement of Liththereby greater military effectiveness.” ium Ion batteries and charging systems Computational capability is an enabler would bring a “quantum leap” in the for nearly every military system, but in- command and control capabilities of creases in this capability are limited by the IDF’s combat units across the available system power and constraints modern battlefield. on the ability to dissipate heat. This However, Mr. Hansen described to is a challenge for embedded applica- Armada that requirements for battery tions such as soldier-borne applications, power in the contemporary and future
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2016 Modern Soldier Compendium
operating environments could soon be much better controlled with the increasing use of Smartphone/EUD applications or ‘Apps’ designed to allow a single platform to conduct multiple missions. Referring to ongoing efforts in the Nett Warrior programme, he explained how future versions of the ensemble could soon include such apps for parachute navigation, sniper ballistic calculators, tactical combat casualty care, foreign language translation and heat trace detection, to name just a few. Finally Lt. Col. John Vest of the US Army’s Training and Doctrine Command argues that the most effective weight savings in the dismounted role will be made with the introduction of wireless technology to network and power the wide variety of C2 technology carried on the modern battlefield. Furthermore, speaking at the SETAF Lt. Col. Vest called for international collaboration for the introduction of standardised connectors and batteries allowing for enhanced interoperability across the battlefield in line with growing requirements for multi-national operations.
The Human League Finally, it appears armed forces worldwide are now beginning to pay particular attention to the human factors associated with modern soldier systems, with widespread acknowledgement regarding optimised ergonomic fit as well as how best to prepare soldiers for specific missions.
A
ccording to Lieutenant Colonel John Vest of the US Army Training and Doctrine Command, the “human dimension” is one area that is not talked about to any great extent. “We should be doing things better,” he urged delegates attending the Soldier Equipment Advanced Technology Forum held in London this March, while referring to specialist skill sets such as snipers and special forces which generally go into much more detail regarding the human factors associated with operations. Describing sniper awareness training, Lt. Col. Vest explained how the US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Evaluation Centre teams had considered the utility of “calming techniques” to steady the heart rates of troops ahead of taking a shot, as well as improving selfawareness and performance on the battlefield. Such efforts have included simulation and training models designed to identify the most efficient means of controlling emotion and other behavioural control during an operation. Referring to the US Department of Defence’s ongoing Modular Handgun System Precision Sniper Rifle solicitations, which include requirements for modular handgrips, Lt. Col. Vest described how not every soldier has the same hand size. Additionally, he described how hearing protection needed to be fitted to the personal specifications of a soldier or risk being combat ineffective.
nology. Early options have considered a natural billowing under the arms in order to generate power for cooling technology although MoD sources remain worried with regards to the investment involved. “Once you scale this technology out to 110,000 ensembles, then the money involved begins to mount up. Is this achievable?” one such source asked Armada. “Biometrics monitoring is going to be the way forward,” they added.
On 12 January, the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) revealed it had begun the process to seek partners to conduct a research project to consider future human factor capabilities for the dismounted combat community. A total of $56.8 million has been set aside for a four-year programme to work alongside academia, industry and the military. Called the Dismounted Soldier System Engine Room, it will focus on delivery of an integrated soldier system in line with the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (DSTL) Future Soldier Vision effort, the first phase of which (Vertus Pulse 1) is currently being rolled out to the British Army’s 16th Air Assault Brigade and the Royal Marine’s 3rd Commando Brigade. According to DSTL programme manager Duncan Stewart, the concept will provide an opportunity for suppliers to contribute towards what the soldier could look like in the future including developing the next generation of weaponry and supporting the integration of personworn power and data.
NATO
I Calming Influence
In the UK, the Royal College of Design has been contracted by the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Equipment and Support agency to consider nextgeneration ergonomics and human factors associated with future soldier tech-
The US DoD’s modular handgun system is considering next-generation ergonomic and human factors with the introduction of modular handgrips to cater for different hand sizes and shooter preferences.
2016 Modern Soldier Compendium
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Modern Soldier Armada International Compendium
Changes Modern warfare means that armed forces, no matter how mature they are, will always struggle to keep up with the rapidly-evolving operating environment. This remains a particular issue for larger conventional forces lacking the more flexible procurement process of special forces.
2016/17
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ON THE COVER: Tactical communications and hearing protection headsets remain equipment for soldiers operating across the battlefield, with deafening injuries high on the list with musculoskeletal injuries in terms of frequency © 3M Peltor
Special Operations Compendium Supplement to Issue 3/2016 Volume 41, Issue 3, June/July 2016
Special forces have long used pack animals including donkeys and horses to help carry heavy combat loads over arduous terrain.
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Dismounted combat units continue to train in the urban environment as defence departments and ministries remain wary of a constantly evolving operating environment.
US DoD
Chairman: J.S. Uberoi President: Egasith Chotpakditrakul Chief Financial Officer: Gaurav Kumar General Manager International Marketing: Vishal Mehta Manager Marketing: Jakhongir Djalmetov Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Wajiraprakan Punyajai Graphic Designer: Khakanaa Suwannawong Production Manager: Kanda Thanakornwongskul Group Circulation Manager: Porames Chinwongs
owever, industry and government bodies are managing to change this process with flagship programmes such as the USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command) Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit concept being an example of more modular programme management allowing many more companies to become involved at different stages within the effort. Increasing levels of inter-agency, inter-service and multinational interoperability are now being witnessed across the operating and training environments. The ability to cooperate and collaborate will only assist governments attempting to provide more rapidly-fielded solutions for the soldier as they seek to tackle the next threat.
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