GDR 99 - Land Systems

Land Warriors


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Top: A totally integrated soldier fighting system.

Global Defence Review examines the US Army's future integrated combat system for the soldier of the 21st Century.

On the battlefields of the 21st century US soldiers will go into combat equipped with the first integrated fighting system that combines the lethality, survivability and links to the digital battlefield to provide situational awareness.

The US Army soldier and biological chemical command's (SBCCOM) Land Warrior programme aims to field a first-generation integrated fighting system for dismounted soldiers from 2000-2001 onwards. Follow-on programmes will field systems for mounted and aviation arm soldiers.

The Raytheon Systems Company is the prime contractor for the dismounted soldier programme that currently is in the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase. Motorola, Honeywell, Omega, GENTEX and Battelle are subcontractors. At present, the contractors are building proof of design prototypes and these are due to be field-tested during 1999. Approximately 34,000 systems are envisaged and potentially this could involve production contracts worth $1.96bn.

Land Warrior is a total system that brings together a number of modules as part of a total package for the dismounted infantryman. These include an integrated helmet assembly, associated software, a computer/radio subsystem, a weapon subsystem, protective clothing and load-carrying equipment. When fielded, the total weight of the system is envisaged as being not more than 80lbs.

Integrated helmet assembly subsystem


The integrated helmet assembly subsystem provides ballistic protection and high-fidelity visual and audible battlefield information

The integrated helmet assembly subsystem (IHAS) provides soldiers with ballistic protection as well as high-fidelity visual and audible battlefield information. It allows for operations in day, night, nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) environments. The helmet is made of advanced material to reduce weight and features an innovative suspension system to provide a stable platform for optical components that provide day and night vision through a variety of sensors.

Monocular night vision sensors provide for 24-hour operation but the vision device also allows remote video sensor data to be viewed to allow indirect engagement with minimal exposure to enemy fire. Information from remote computer databases also can be viewed through the device that looks like a pair of spectacles. An audio headset is incorporated in the helmet with speakers inside the helmet suspension straps and a microphone is fitted into the chinstrap.

To warn soldiers that they are being targeted by enemy laser range finders or designators, four laser sensors are mounted in the helmet. An XM45 NBC mask is provided, designed to allow all the systems to be operated while in a contaminated environment. At the heart of the system is a specially-designed software package. It can be accessed through a soldier's user interface and provides connectivity to the digitised battlefield or so-called tactical internet. Its core battlefield functions are situational awareness, command and control, fire planning and control. These functions also include location/navigation, digitised map display, location databases, laser detection and warning, messaging, graphic-display processing, unit fire planning, minefield plotting and fire detection. A communication manager allows for connectivity monitoring, message handling, file transfer, address manager and electronic mail. Mission data support includes digitised maps, overlays, mission equipment and supply databases, message templates, soldier profiles, location databases and video processing.

Computer/radio subsystem


Connecting to the digital battlefield - the software susbystem

The computer/radio subsystem(CRS) integrates all the electronic portions of the Land Warrior systems. It is based on an open architecture design and where possible uses commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment. A data-compatible new encrypted squad radio and a Pentium computer are the core of the system and replace the existing PRC-126 radio. This new radio places the soldier at the heart of the digitised battlefield. It has a global positioning satellite system (GPS) navigation device that allows a soldier's position to be shown to other players on the battlefield. This also allows a soldier to be navigated around the battlefield and provides combat identification to prevent so-called 'friendly-fire' incidents. The CRS can also capture and transmit still-frame video from the IHAS's sensors to other players on the digital battlefield. Data from a laser range finder and digital compass also can be used to provide semi-autonomous indirect fire support requests. A system control module and a handheld Qwerty display/keyboard allow soldiers to input data. A non-chargeable battery pack provides 12 hours of operation.

Weapon subsystem
Land Warrior aims to provide soldiers with increased lethality without losing mobility. It is designed as a modular system to allow for mission-tailoring, block upgrades and ease of use, as well as a greater level of soldier survivability. The M16/M4 is turned into a modular weapon system by the installation of a rail system to allow for mission/function tailoring. A thermal weapon sight can be fitted to allow engagement of up to 1,000 metres through obscurants - day or night.

A laser range finder/digital compass assembly (LRF/DCA) allows soldiers to accurately and rapidly pass off targets for indirect fire support when linked to the computer, GPS and radio. Use of the remote display capability of IHAS allows soldiers to engage targets with minimal exposure.

On-weapon controls allow a soldier to remain in a firing position while controlling the thermal sight or LRF/DCA.

The elements of the total system

The protection clothing and individual equipment subsystem (PCIE) provides the means of integrating Land Warrior elements into a total system that enhances soldier mobility, survivability and comfort.

At its core is the load-carrying equipment (LCE) that is based on a flexible frame that allows it to fit and function like a part of the body. The design allows one frame to fit all soldiers from the fifth to 95th percentile body size. The frame and LCE also house the integrated wiring harness. A soldier can easily redistribute the load between the shoulders and the waist to improve comfort, even while on the move.

The frame houses the support structure for the computer/radio and houses and protects the wiring harness. The computer and radio components are readily accessible for fast, easy replacement. The pack module system can be quickly tailored from full sustainment to approach load, to approach to assault configuration, providing rapid mission tailoring and load shedding in emergencies.

A special body-armour package affords the soldier a 15 per cent reduction in weight and provides the ability to insert a hard ballistic plate for protection against small arms. To allow heat dissipation there are front, left and right-side openings to provide ventilation whilst maintaining frontal protection.