commercial technology,
questions remain on how best
to use it
September 29, 2016
THE MIL & AERO COMMENTARY, 29 Sept. 2016. The
modern-day infantrywarfighter has a big job to do. He and others
in his rifle squad could find themselves temporarily isolated on
the leading edge of the battlefield with no clear idea where the
enemy is, how many of them there are, what they look like
, and what kinds of weapons they have. Iscommercial technology
the answer?
The first warning that they're suddenly in grave danger might be a
wisp of smoke, a ricocheting bullet, or the pop or a mortar launch
nearby. In a moment they could be in an ambush -- pinned down
and surrounded -- with incoming fire from what seems like all directions
.
wisp of smoke, a ricocheting bullet, or the pop or a mortar launch
nearby. In a moment they could be in an ambush -- pinned down
and surrounded -- with incoming fire from what seems like all directions
.
Under heavy pressure, members of the rifle squad hug the ground, radio for
help, and desperately look around for signs of the enemy. Squad mates
start taking hits, yet the squad still isn't certain of how and where to fight
back. Although help is on the way, it's many minutes out at a moment when
seconds count.
help, and desperately look around for signs of the enemy. Squad mates
start taking hits, yet the squad still isn't certain of how and where to fight
back. Although help is on the way, it's many minutes out at a moment when
seconds count.
This kind of scenario is increasingly common for the infantry in an era
when they typically operate in far-away unfamiliar surroundings in
which the enemy blends in with the civilian population, has wide access
to tactical communications systems like cell phones, can sow booby
traps called improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and has intimate
knowledge of the local terrain and culture.
when they typically operate in far-away unfamiliar surroundings in
which the enemy blends in with the civilian population, has wide access
to tactical communications systems like cell phones, can sow booby
traps called improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and has intimate
knowledge of the local terrain and culture.
In other words the enemy has far superior situational awareness than do
members of the infantry rifle squad whom they have pinned down and
in their sights.
members of the infantry rifle squad whom they have pinned down and
in their sights.
Related: Lockheed Martin moves forward in DARPA program to
boost capabilities of infantry technology
boost capabilities of infantry technology
At this moment, however, things are not all bad. The rifle squad, for example
, has a technological advantage with a variety of sensors, wearable computers,
secure radio communications, and superior fire power. Still, technology
itself may not be the answer, but instead may have to do with using the
technology that's available.
, has a technological advantage with a variety of sensors, wearable computers,
secure radio communications, and superior fire power. Still, technology
itself may not be the answer, but instead may have to do with using the
technology that's available.
The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington,
Va., is working with Lockheed Martin Corp. to sort out some of today's
conundrums of how the infantry can use modern technology to best
advantage in bad circumstances.
Va., is working with Lockheed Martin Corp. to sort out some of today's
conundrums of how the infantry can use modern technology to best
advantage in bad circumstances.
This isn't a new issue for U.S. warfighters. One of the military's biggest
challenges today is to sort out a continuing avalanche of new commercially
developed technologies, finding those that are most suitable for warfighters
in the field, and adapting these technologies to the military's chain of command.
challenges today is to sort out a continuing avalanche of new commercially
developed technologies, finding those that are most suitable for warfighters
in the field, and adapting these technologies to the military's chain of command.
Given a commercial cell phone and working cell network today, for example,
and a private soldier in a foxhole could phone the White House. Despite
having this capability, however, that's rearely the best idea. The trick is to
use available technology to enable infantry to fight harder, longer, and smarter.
and a private soldier in a foxhole could phone the White House. Despite
having this capability, however, that's rearely the best idea. The trick is to
use available technology to enable infantry to fight harder, longer, and smarter.
This is where the DARPA Squad X Core Technologies (SXCT) program comes
in. It seeks to develop new technologies that give infantry squads of eight to
14 members increased situational awareness, as well as improved capabilities
in precision engagement, non-kinetic engagement, squad sensing, and squad
autonomy to enable these front-line warfighters to adapt to quickly changing
battlefield conditions.
in. It seeks to develop new technologies that give infantry squads of eight to
14 members increased situational awareness, as well as improved capabilities
in precision engagement, non-kinetic engagement, squad sensing, and squad
autonomy to enable these front-line warfighters to adapt to quickly changing
battlefield conditions.
In particular, the DARPA SXCT program seeks to develop new kinds of
guided ammunition for current squad equipment like the M203/M320
grenade launchers or the Picatinny Rail system. One weapon that could emerge
from this program is a micro-missile or advanced 40-millimeter grenade that
can engage unseen targets with precision using the networked squad, small
unmanned vehicles, and data-fusion-enabled shared situational awareness.
guided ammunition for current squad equipment like the M203/M320
grenade launchers or the Picatinny Rail system. One weapon that could emerge
from this program is a micro-missile or advanced 40-millimeter grenade that
can engage unseen targets with precision using the networked squad, small
unmanned vehicles, and data-fusion-enabled shared situational awareness.
Related: The next favorite infantry weapon: a flying gun for remote
controlled UAVs that takes out snipers
controlled UAVs that takes out snipers
Other SXCT thrusts include tactical battlefield cyber, optical, and electronic
warfare jammers to disrupt enemy communications and weapons control;
handheld radar, and small sensors that look and listen for enemy sounds
like heart beats or infrared signatures.
warfare jammers to disrupt enemy communications and weapons control;
handheld radar, and small sensors that look and listen for enemy sounds
like heart beats or infrared signatures.
The Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control segment in Grand
Prairie, Texas, won an SXCT phase-2 contract this month to start refining
and enhancing infantry technology concepts developed in the program's first phase.
Prairie, Texas, won an SXCT phase-2 contract this month to start refining
and enhancing infantry technology concepts developed in the program's first phase.
It's likely to be a while before any SXCT technologies could be deployed in
the field, and also possible the program won't ever yield any promising
solutions. Still, this is encouraging news to any infantryman who's ever been
pinned down in enemy territory.
the field, and also possible the program won't ever yield any promising
solutions. Still, this is encouraging news to any infantryman who's ever been
pinned down in enemy territory.
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