Heavy soldier equipment is putting troops at risk. Soldier modernisation professionals need to develop lightweight equipment that lightens the load and reduces the soldiers burden
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Heavy soldier equipment is putting troops' lives at risk
1. Heavy soldier equipment is putting troops' lives at risk
Worldwide Business Research Ltd, January 19, 2011
Research over the last 12 months with soldier modernisation and NATO programme
managers shows that the combined weight of soldiers' equipment is putting lives at risk. The
main challenge in the soldier modernisation programme managers' eyes is to reduce the
burden for NATO troops without compromising protection and combat performance.
Modernisation of soldier systems to protect, mobilise and empower the soldier has resulted in
an exponential increase in the total weight being carried in theatre.
In depth research has been carried out with the following Soldier Modernisation Programmes
to dig deeper in to the challenges and explore the solutions that manufacturers and
contractors can offer:
FIST (UK - Future Integrated Soldier Technology)
FELIN (France - Integrated Equipment and Communications Infantryman)
IdZ (Germany - German Future Infantryman)
ISSP (Canada - Integrated Soldier System Project)
NORMANS (Norway - Norwegian Modular Arctic Network Soldier )
Feedback from soldier modernisation programmes is that soldier equipment is too heavy and
slows down the troops. Equipment manufacturers and contractors are being urged to respond
but this requires visibility on specifications lighter power and lighter protection are seen as
crucial parts of the solution.
Soldier equipment is still not interoperable enough industry has to work closer together not
to use new connectors but focus on connectivity.
Most deaths and injuries are being caused by poor protection from enemy fire and IEDs and
poor communication protection system developers need to deliver better head and body
protection and communications which can function in both urban and mountainous
environments.
The issues above have formed the basis of discussion at NATO meetings and will be the
central focus at the 10th Annual Soldier Technology Conference & Exhibition in June 2011 at
Olympia Conference Centre, London.
To find out more about reducing the soldiers' burden visit www.soldiertechnologyus.com,
email soldiertechnology@wbr.co.uk or call +44 (0) 207 368 9465.