Soldier Systems
Despite the dramatic improvement in technology, the average infantryman today is barely better equipped than his counterpart of 100 years ago. He still has his rifle and ammunition for offensive tasks and a rudimentary helmet and armor for defense. He still carries all his personal stores on his back and relies on paper maps, his compass, boots, and personal fitness to get from A to B.
Within the last 20 years, most armies in the developed world have been working to improve the soldier’s life on the battlefield. Advances have been made in weaponry, sighting systems and ballistic protection. The introduction of short range radios for individual soldiers has improved communications. However, there is no integrated solution that improves situational awareness of the dismounted troops and the variety of forces he has to fight with. Blue on blue incidents are still reported with disheartening regularity.
Cobham Defence Communications have been involved in developments for soldier modernization, concentrating on all aspects of C4I and are currently active in several such programs throughout the world.
The aims of CDC soldier systems are to transfer the relevant aspects of Communications and vehicle-based battle management Systems to the troops conducting dismounted close combat. Any such successful SM system has to be lightweight, easy to use and offer relevant data to the user.
CDC recognizes that the data required, and the ability to interact with it, will increase with the command level of the user. The goals of the CDC Soldier Systems are to ensure that the position of each and every soldier is accurately known at all times, is available to all relevant friendly forces, is secure from access by enemy forces and to ensure that orders. Battlefield intelligence and reports must also be transferred timely and accurately between command levels through the most appropriate medium.
Achieving these goals requires more complex systems matched to user needs as shown below:
| Role |
Requirements |
Equipment |
| Basic Soldier |
Report own position
Receive orders and report actions |
GPS,
Voice and data radio (SR) |
| Section leader |
Plan actions
Consolidate and send reports |
Small interactive display
Voice and data radio (LR) |
| Platoon Commander |
Plan actions
Consolidate and send reports |
Fully Interactive display
Voice and data radio (LR) |
| Company Commander |
Receipt of high level orders
Plan mission,
React to lower level reports
Acquire higher assets as required |
Secure radio
Planning screens |
