Defense Technology International - June 2008 - (Page 30)

DISPATCHES GLOBAL The integration of Zayad among armor, artillery, combat engineering and other elements required extensions of wireless data links and protocols to communicate with command-and-control elements. Its implementation with infantry, however, required a new command-and-control system tailored for soldiers. This system optimizes target management and weapons employment at squad and platoon levels, establishes mission planning, orientation and navigation tools, and introduces data networking between team members and tactical leaders at different command levels. With it, units can rapidly pursue time-critical targets in small formations, autonomously allocate and assign targets or team up with other units. The system uses the new Terminal modular computer from Elbit Systems. An RMI dual processor powers the computer, which runs Windows CE, has high-quality graphics, and battery power for 4-5-hr. missions. The system has two Ethernet local area network (LAN) adapters, ﬁ ve universal serial bus interface ports, an RS232 serial port, audio, voice over Internet protocol and a LAN docking interface. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K The computer weighs 0.7 kg. (1.5 lb.), excluding batteries. For planning, commanders will use an 8-in. handheld LCD with a touch screen. The device has a glare-resistant coating for daylight use. Another element of Integrated Advanced Soldier (IAS) is the QuietOps software-programmable headset from Sylinx. It supports and controls two radios, and is designed with passive and active noise-canceling hearing protection. The headset also has a “super normal” hearing level and “whisper mode” for speaking—functions of value for stealth operations. IAS communications gear consists of several systems, including a tactical router developed by Elbit. The unit, conﬁgured as a standard PC card, permits high-capacity data transfer over short ranges. It utilizes the “Mountain Rose” military cellular mobile network, which is dependent on infrastructure. For operations where infrastructure is not available, the PRC710 tactical combat net radio, a VHF unit, can be used. A navigation system is under development at DDRD for areas where GPS cannot be used. The system comprises a gyroscope, compass, accelerometer and other sensors to determine location. Three handheld observation and target-acquisition systems will be available for commanders at different tactical levels. Squad leaders and platoon sergeants will use the Spatial Orientation System from ITL Optronics. This has a built-in laser rangeﬁnder and digital compass, and a monocular X7 day channel that can also be used with a night viewer. Another device for company and battalion commanders, as well as officers and observers in reconnaissance platoons, is Coral-CR. Developed by Elbit Systems, this is a handheld, cooled, thermal targetacquisition system with a 480 X 384 detector operating in the 3-5-micron band. Using continuous zoom, the system is effective to 5 km. (3 mi.). As a target-acquisition system, Coral-CR integrates a digital magnetic compass, GPS and internal display, which enables the observation, identiﬁcation and extraction of target coordinates in real-time. Troops operating grenade launchers will be equipped with Viper, a ﬁre-control system that achieves ﬁrst-shot hits. Developed by ITL Optronics, Viper uses a see-through display with computercontrolled aiming point, laser rangeﬁnder, tilt-and-roll and other sensors. The computer calculates the ballistic curve required to hit a target and sets the aiming point accordingly. �  30      http://www.plasan.com http://www.plasan.com http://www.aviationweek.com/dti

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Defense Technology International - June 2008

Defense Technology International - June 2008 Contents Around the World Science Watch Tech Watch Basic Black Self-Defense Fire-Resistant Perfezione Hyperspeed Trial Big Sky Cashing In Digital Links Hang Ten Sea Change Programs Update Two Steps Back Direct Hit Staying Power Potent Stinger Do No Harm Guard Duty The Net Cutting Edge First Person In Review Insight

Defense Technology International - June 2008

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