FELIN Enters
Company Level Field Trials

FELIN and VBCI will enter service at the same time. Eventually, FELIN will work with 20 different systems, including different vehicles such as improved VAB, VBCI, AMX10P, the FAMAS assault weapon, SITEL battle management system, parachutes, helicopters, sensors, communications systems etc. The systems being used weigh about 25 kg, including essential combat supplies. They include the weapon's day and night sights and weapon mounted controls, thermal binocular for commanders, helmet mounted night vision systems, data, audio and video capable secured radio, and power and data distribution system embedded into wearable webbing. Other elements to be evaluated include vehicle-mounted battery chargers, networking 'sockets' for mounted operations, unit networking support, laser eye protection gear and CBR protection suite.

Part of the recent studies included done as part of FELIN provided a detailed review of the human factors involved with extended mounted operations. Sofar most studies focused on the dismounted aspects of the soldier system, while little attention was given to the comfort, usability and ergonomics of soldier wearing combat suites inside the vehicle's space for extended time. The FELIN study evaluated the seating configurations (facing columns) with weapons and communications gear connected to 'hot shoes' providing intercom and recharging.

Defense Update report from Soldier Technology 2008 is focusing on these topics: