soldier modernisation, lightweight soldier equipment, lightening the load, reducing the soldiers burden, soldier systems, modern soldier equipment, defence, military, US Army, UK MoD, FELIN, IdZ, IMESS

1. What is the UK doing to modernise or upgrade equipment/capability of the
dismounted soldier outside of FIST? ie. where is investment flowing to and why
and who is driving it
UK is taking a systematic approach to the acquisition of capability for the soldier
system. Firstly we are trying to capture the capability required in a more succinct and
usable format – A comprehensive Capability Plan owned by CAP GM and DINF.
R&D Goals should flow directly from this plan with a parallel task looking at
undertaking more of the Operational Analysis at a Soldier System level – the platoon.
This will allow a direct comparison of capabilities across the soldier system in order
that a better Balance of Investment can be achieved – limited resources giving optimal
delivery of ‘bang for buck’.
Lightening the Load, Power, Protection and Load carriage are the big issues that need
to be addressed in the next epoch (2015) with DSA in Epoch 2 (2020) and Soldier
System Lethality in Epoch 3 (2025).
Where do you see most time/resource being spent moving forwards in regard to
the soldier and his/her equipment?
Whilst equipment will be procured in a more systematic way the largest gains on
soldier system effectiveness in the next two epochs (2015 & 2020) can be made from:
1) An integrated Power architecture - A universal voltage(s) with common
connectors with a better power delivery system would make significant impact in
burden reduction leading to improved agility and hence soldier system effectiveness.
2) DSA – The delivery of an effective Dismounted Situational Awareness System
that is affordable, and offers low cognitive and physical burden will revolutionise the
ability of junior commanders to command tactical manoeuvre and make informed
choices that lead to effective burden reduction.
3) Protection & Load carriage – This is the fundamental interface between the
human and his equipment getting this right will set the soldier system for the next
number of Epochs (1,2 & 3).
Who are the major stakeholders in soldier system development in the UK right
now (government/R&D/Army offices/other)?
MOD Main Building (CAP GM; DScrutiny) Director of Infantry, DE&S Individual
Capability Group; Dstl
What are the 3 biggest challenges/inhibitors to sustained soldier modernisation
in the UK?
Delivery of a usable Soldier System Architecture which can be used by industry and
delivery teams as the reference and guidance document to equipment delivery;
Ensuring that sufficient funds are maintained in the system to continue the delivery of
capability; Ensuring that the MOD system enables effective delivery incremental
capability.
The UK MoD soldier modernisation team will deliver briefs and have a team present
at Soldier Technology 2011 in June.
For details, visit www.soldiertechnology.com or
email soldiertechnology@wbr.co.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7368 9465.
soldier modernisation, lightweight soldier equipment, lightening the load, reducing the soldiers burden, soldier systems, modern soldier equipment, defence, military, US Army, UK MoD, FELIN, IdZ, IMESS

2. Tags:
defence,felin,idz,imess,"lightening the load","lightweight soldier equipment",military,"modern soldier equipment","reducing the soldiers burden","soldier modernisation","soldier systems","uk mod","us army"
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