Cohort Company SEA Demonstrates Future Soldier Technology
SEA, a Cohort company, has recently completed a demonstration of new technologies that could, according to the company, revolutionise the way armed forces operate in combat situations. The new systems have been developed by SEA and its team partners as part of the Delivering Dismounted Effect (DDE) research project. SEA was prime contractor to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) on the DDE research project and headed a team from industry and academia delivering integrated dismounted soldier systems research to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The new systems being considered include technologies for weapons, helmets, torso protection, and night vision systems using each element as a separate weapons platform. In particular, the DDE research investigated the technical feasibility, benefits and costs associated with integrating power and data onto the weapon and helmet. All the systems have been designed to meet the challenges required by an adaptable and flexible force dealing with evolving threats and it is envisaged will be part of the equipment and design of the modernised/future soldier.
It is also planned that the technologies designed under the DDE project will lead to enhanced collaborative engagement across multi-national forces and will help the military and government consider the lethality-related implications of females operating in ground combat roles. The research was displayed at a special event at the Infantry Trials and Development Unit (IT&DU) in Warminster, UK.
“We are proud to have led this vital research project which will bolster the operational effectiveness of the next generation of soldiers,” SEA Managing Director Stephen Hill, said. “There is tremendous potential to increase the capability of weapons and equipment while at the same time improving data sharing and situational awareness between combat forces and their partners. The DDE project will provide a step change in the way our forces approach future combat situations.”
The DDE four-year contract was awarded to SEA in June 2012 following an open competition, covering various work packages including capability, architectures, targeting, effects, signature, and disruptive technologies. SEA leads a team of specialists from industry and academia, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to research future technologies for dismounted soldiers.
The Dismounted Close Combat Sensors project is delivered by the Team Prometheus consortium, led by Roke Manor. It identifies novel sensor technologies, drawn from a wide range of technology providers, to offer new solutions to the problem of collecting, processing and delivering situational awareness information to the dismounted soldier.
The Dismounted Soldier Systems Engine Room (ER) brings together the programme’s key priorities to deliver a genuinely integrated soldier system. The ER is delivered through a Dstl-industry team, which is currently led by SEA.
