Armada-Modern-Soldier-Compendium-AUGSEPT-2013

The first step in the Czech Army soldier
modernisation is linked to the weapons, the CZ
805 assault rifle in 5.56x45 mm calibre being
the new assault rifle. (Armada/P. Valpolini)
that depend on funds availability.
Currently C4I and Istar equipment has
been acquired only for specialised elements,
such as TACPs (Tactical Air Control Parties)
and FACs (Forward Air Controllers).
However 2014 should see the launch of the
next step of the modernisation plan, which
will include a C4I system for the individual
soldier. Currently the Army General Staff is
writing the requirements. Numerous
companies are looking with interest at a
possible RFP, notably Rheinmetall that had
intense talks with Czech officials and is
proposing the core C4I system of its Gladius.
Later on the Czech Army will start working on
the protection issue, which will include
uniforms, body armour and helmets, and
which will have to be compatible with the
current Pandur wheeled armoured vehicle as
well as with a new tracked vehicle.
COMFUT
Not much is known about the future of the
Spanish ComFut programme, which was hit
like many other initiatives by the country’s
harsh economical situation. Following the
delivery of the 36 sets in December 2009
field trials led to a €900.000 contract for
system improvement in December 2011
with deliveries of 18 upgraded sets expected
for the current year. No details about the
upgrades are currently available.
F0-INSAS
The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and
Robotics (CAIR) and the Defence
Electronics Application Laboratory (DEAL)
are working on the development of the
Integrated Computer, Communication and
Software System (ICCS) and on the
Software Defined Radio (SDR) that are
intended for the Indian “Futuristic Infantry
Soldier as a System” (F-Insas).
In June 2012 some of the functionalities
The grenade launcher of the CZ 805; after
modernising the weapons the Czech Army is
now looking to a C2 system, and is
considering various off-the-shelf options.
(Armada/P. Valpolini)
were demonstrated to high-ranking officers.
Hardware was provided by Bharat
Electronics. The C2 software included
functions to be used from company
commander down to the single soldier,
providing common operational picture,
situational awareness, blue force tracking,
mission planning and execution, preformatted
and free text management,
biometric authentication, physiological
monitoring display and dissemination.
In addition to the computer, the
hardware included a wrist display, a
navigation aid based on GPS and DRM
(Dead Reckoning Module), the prototype of
a hand-held IP radio with voice, data and
video transmission, centralised power pack
and power management, target acquisition
assets, and power chargers in various forms,
conventional, solar and crank.
Tata Advanced Systems is also focusing
on the F-Insas suite programme, and is
currently developing a UHF Soldier Radio
with multiple channel bandwidths (25 KHz,
500 KHz, 1.2 MHz) and power levels (0.25W,
1W, 2W). The programme is obviously
attracting foreign competitors, and the RFP
for new weapons has already been issued.
ACMS
With its Advanced Combat Man Systems
(ACMS) now in service in numbers with the
national army, Singapore Technologies
Kinetics has developed a light version of its
system, appropriately called ACMS-Lite.
The development was financed by the
Singapore Armed Forces, which may well
reveal an interest for a lighter and simpler
system compared to the current suite that
weighs nearly five kilos. The new ACMS-
Lite chest-mounted control and display unit
is smartphone-like and runs on an Android
operational system that supports a simpler
C2 software derived from that used by the
national armed forces. The smartphone-like
terminal ensures network communications
and is based on the latest ARM processor.
The system load bearing vest has also been
improved with the adoption of fabric cables
that connect the various subsystems, the
add-on weight of the ACMS-Lite being now
less than two kilos.
24 Compendium Modern Soldier Programme 2013