| Soldier
Technology 2007 conference and exhibition, organized by
the Worldwide
Business Research (WBR) group porovided an excellent view
into some of the leading soldier modernization programs worldwide.
Through the briefings, the common denominators and key differences
between programs became evident. Two speakers from the US –
Col. Richard Hanson, EO Soldier Land Warrior PM,
briefing via video from the US and Mark Richter,
program manager, USMC Expeditionary Rifle Squad (MERS) lectured
about their respective programs. Lack of commonality between
systems was clearly apparent. No common standards are available
or even suggested among NATO members, resulting in excessive
development and procurement cost for all armies. Disagreement
about the goal of such systems exists even among various US
service branches. While the Army's program is leaning toward
technologies, empowering each and every warfighter and combat
leader, the USMC is aiming at improving the capabilities and
performance of the squad as a whole. (more...)
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Land Warrior
Programs
Col. Hensen suggested establishing interoperability
between the various warrior programs, under development among
all allied forces. "If we don't buy together and fund together
– some countries will not be able to afford it" said
Hensen. He expects Land
Warrior (LW) to restart next year with the renewed funding
directed by the Senate. "Affordability will be the key
[to the system success]" said Hensen.
 Hansen's
briefing covered the progress with the various warrior programs,
as well as the rapid fielding initiative. Land Warrior kits
were modified significantly after the 4/9 test & evaluation.
Since the suite is modular, it was redesigned to better match
troop's preference, moving the radio and batteries onto the
soldier's back, while the computer, navigator and controller
unit (known as 'fusion') is mounted on the side, clearing more
space for ammunition and grenades. Such repositioning became
possible with the mounted
warrior kit, since these warfighters usually operate close
to their Stryker armored vehicles. Currently, over 200 land
warrior suites are operational in Iraq with the 42nd Brigade
Combat Team (BCT). Operational lessons gathered during the current
employment are expected to be instrumental for further progress
of future programs. The focus is on empowering the small unit
call for fire; collect and relay target data to command post
and fire units and accelerate medical support calls and treatment
under combat conditions. Further development of the system was
suspended this year due funding cuts brought to the program's
cancellation by the Army. However, the Senate Armed Services
Committee added $80 million to the FY 09 program to resurrect
the program, as it migrates into the Army's Future
Combat Systems (FCS).
Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad (MERS)
Mark Richter, PM Marine
Expeditionary Rifle Squad (MERS) outlined the USMC view
of the enhanced rifle infantry squad, a combat formation reduced
from a complex 13-man unit to a more maneuverable, streamlined
eight men formation. Richter also discussed the rapid fielding
of new equipment, including the fielding of night vision devices,
personal role radio for all squad members, equipping commanders
at various levels with additional computing devices. The concept
of "platoon in a box" was also discussed, outlining
some innovative logistical solutions enabling the support and
deployment of such flexible concepts. "The squad as a system"
is the USMC approach to future warrior systems. Richter regards
power to be the most critical issue. The future concept is the
Enhanced / Distributed Operations. Enabling the marine unit
to control and dominate a larger area – placing more experienced
Non Commissioned Officers (NCO) in key positions in the squad
and platoon, embedding intelligence cells at Forward Operating
Bases (FOB) and company or platoon formations, issuing four
digital cameras to each squad, enabling troops to collect intelligence
while on routine missions and process it on image enhancement
gear while at the FOB. The cameras are quiet and effective even
in darkness, as images can be enhanced to show details invisible
on regular mode. 200 digital cameras in the battalion become
a powerful visual intelligence asset that must be managed effectively.
FIST Assessment Phase (AP)
The FIST program, currently
in the assessment phase, has gone through several phases of
trials, which highlighted some technical issues with equipment
subsystems. These tests demonstrated how the FIST will integrate
within the British Army's Bowman network and work with other
systems currently under planning stage. Recent tests validated
the improvements made with weapons and firepower of the fire
team. John Foley, FIST program
Technical Director at Thales briefed on the recent achievements,
detailing the composition of FIST SA equipment, the test's outline
ad some of the lessons learned. Col. A.G. Bain, British Army
Force Development Headquarters Infantry added some insights
on development and fielding of new infantry gear and weapons,
among them a new 60 mm portable mortar, replacing the aging
52mm hand held mortar, and an all-terrain load carrier, that
will offload some of the cargo currently carried by British
warfighters.
The Israeli Integrated Advanced Soldier (IAS) program is building
a 'dismounted combat team' to be operated within the infantry
battalion level. These battalions will be able to operate in
mounted or dismounted operations, while commanders able to receive
and make decisions based on an updated 'live' situational picture
presenting both hostile and friendly forces. The equipment used
by the troops will be modular, and designed to operate in urban
and open terrain. Currently underway the program is led by the
Ministry of Defense's Defense Directorate for Research and Development
(DDRD) and Elbit Systems.
The program began with a feasibility study launched in 2003
and followed a year later with a combat lab experiment. In 2005,
the IDF tested individual combatant gear and conducted the first
battalion-size field test highlighting an urban warfare scenario.
Following the test, which proved highly successful, the system
entered full scale development. The first kits are being delivered
and will be used for company and battalion-size exercises, beginning
fall 2007 through winter 2008. Following the conclusion of these
tests, the system will become operational with the first combat
platoon for an operational pilot.
Topics covered in this review:
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