The days of future! Soldier systems of the world
They look ordinary. They lace up the same. But it’s not the boots that matter, it’s the soldier in it. A look at the future soldier systems of the world.
F-INSAS (India)
Conceived in 2005 as the Futuristic Infantry Soldier As A System (F-INSAS) for the Inventory Vision 2020, the Indian army aimed to harness the advanced and cutting edge military technology that would enhance the operational capabilities of the infantry soldier with abilities of lethality, survivability, mobility, communications and situational awareness.
Helmet & visor
The level IV bulletproof helmet will be capable of stopping a 9mm round at close range. Facial protection, ballistic and laser eye protection and flame-resistant. It is also equipped with eye & face protection.
Clothing
Non flammable and waterproof, the level IV bullet proof jacket will allow the soldier to carry extra load and also resist the impact of nuclear, radiology and chemical warfare. The new uniform will also have vests with sensors to monitor the soldier’s health parameters and provide quick medical relief.
Accessories
The soldier will be provided with integrated multifunction sight device, night vision equipment, thermal imager, a laser range-finder, colour charge-coupled-device (CCD) camera, global positioning system (GPS) and a digital magnetic compass, compact laser-based instruments, integrated electro-optical surveillance and fire control systems, advanced GPS receivers, infrared sensors, thermal sensors, electro optical sensors, spectroscopic sensors, electromagnetic and radio frequency sensors and among other sensors, radars and jammers.
Weapon
Soldiers will be equipped with a gun that can be reconfigured from and assault rifle to carbine to fit the need of combat.
Bagpack frame
The bag will hold personal computer which will be integrated with radio and GPS.
Footwear
The footwear will protect against small landmines.
FFW (USA)
The US Land Warrior is an integrated fighting system for individual infantry soldiers which gives the soldier enhanced tactical awareness, lethality and survivability. The Land Warrior system will be deployed by infantry, and combat support soldiers, including rangers, airborne, air assault, light and mechanised infantry soldiers. Launched in 1994, the program was merged with Future Force Warrior in 2005 for more efficient results.
Helmet
The helmet will house a GPS receiver, radio and the wide angle LAN connections. It resembles a mini computer screen that will allow the soldier to view the terrain before him, track location of his teammates and mark his objectives.
Exoskeleton
In the shoulder of the Future Force Warrior uniform will be a fabric filled with nanomachines that mimic the action of human muscles, flexing open and shut when stimulated by an electrical pulse. These nanomachines will create lift the way muscles do and augment overall lifting ability by 25 to 35 percent.
Uniform
The Future Force Warrior uniform suit is based on the Soldier Protective Integrated Ensemble System (SPIES), fabricated from highly durable, flexible textile, embedded with protective pads for elbow and knee protection.
Weapon
M16 and M4 carbine, both with reduced mass, smaller physical size, new munition packaging (caseless propellant), higher firing rate, improved field reliability and maintenance, with an additional critically important additional feature of enhanced weapon aiming that will not require a soldier to aim with his eye using a weapon installed sight.
Body armour
The concept liquid body armour consists of small iron particles suspended in silicon oil. The fluid transforms from liquid to solid in just milliseconds when a magnetic field or electrical current is applied to it. The current causes the iron particles to lock into a uniform polarity and stack on top of each other, creating an impenetrable shield.
FELIN (France)
Between 1997 and 2000, the French Ministry of Defence Procurement Agency launched its FELIN (Fantassin à Équipements et Liaisons Intégrés) future infantry soldier programme. The system is set to provide the soldiers with improved close combat capability in terms of lethality and C4I (command, control, computers, communication and information).
Helmet
The helmet is composed of three components: head protection, communication headset, and optronic equipment. The ballistic shell optimises protection and load-bearing ergonomics. It can accommodate various items required for the mission (facial protection screens) and its shape is compatible with all firing positions of the weapons used.
Weapon
The weapon systems include the Giat FAMAS F1 5.56mm assault rifle, the Giat FR-F2 7.62mm sniper rifle and the FN Herstal Minimi 5.56mm light machine gun. The weapons are to be fitted with new sights for day and night operation and improved target acquisition.
Portable electronic platform
The PEP lies at the heart of the Félin system. Designed to utilise all the electronic resources found on the electronic jacket (computer, energy manager, peripheral equipment interfaces, user interfaces).
Clothing
Basic combat clothing will have a full cut allowing free movement. Bellows pockets will provide ample carrying capacity. The material (fabric) offers good mechanical properties, but still allow good air permeability. The fibres (aramid/viscose FR) are flame- and washresistant.
SICS (Sudan)
The Sudanese Integrated Soldier Combat System (SICS) debuted at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference and showcased a digitised weapon equipment that is designed to enhance individual soldier’s combat capabilities. From fire-power lethality to day-night video sight technology and ballistic protection equipment, the African nation is gearing up for the battlefield.
Night-vision goggle
One of the key elements of the SICS is the domestically manufactured SARY SMZ03 night vision goggle. It uses ambient star and moon light illumination to aid soldiers while walking, driving, firing weapons, vehicle maintenance, map reading, and providing medical assistance.
Personal soldier radio system
The Sudaneseproduced DABAKA SSZ09 STR-2100 VHF transceiver appears to be the personal soldier radio system.
The MIC of Sudan also claims anti-jamming and anti-listening capabilities because of 500 hops per second frequency hopping and a digital encryption algorithm.
Clothing
Improved front/back ballistic protection against small caliber ammunition and shrapnel from bullet-proof jackets.
Weapon
Firepower for the Sudanese future soldier program is provided by the Chinese 5.56 mm bullpup QBZ-97 assault rifle. This rifle is identical to the QBZ-95 in domestic service in China in all but two respects. (A) QBZ-97 uses the NATO standard 5.56 mm round instead of the 5.8 mm Chinese round of the QBZ-95, and (B) Sudanese version has a deeper magazine as well that matches the NATO standard magazines.
From the October 2016 issue of FHM India.
Spotted a mistake, or your photo used without permission? Report a correction
in your inbox