Dismounted capability for FINDERS BMS
Nexter promoted its latest C4I offering to the special operations community at the Special Operations Forces Industry Network Seminar (SOFINS) with a dismounted capability for its FINDERS battle management system (BMS).
Addressing delegates at Camp de Souge on 28th March, the company’s Director of the Domain Information Systems Terminals, Philippe Herve described how the BMS could be integrated onto an individual SOF operator using a helmet-mounted ‘exocasque’ solution.
FINDERS BMS has already been integrated on board the company’s latest armoured personnel carrier, Titus, providing soldiers with situation awareness networked to the vehicle’s perimetric camera system as well as the Nerva unmanned ground vehicle (UGV).
However, Nexter’s latest move sees them reverting from their primary focus to support the conventional armed forces with a solution applicable to the SOF community, Herve explained.
The general ‘FINDADFI’ concept relies upon a battery pack and man-machine interface integrated onto a combat helmet, allowing networking to the FINDERS BMS as well as the FINDSAT localisation system and H-Cube individual power supply. The solution can also be integrated into the TEYA portable power generator, Herve explained.
Connectivity is provided by GSM and Iridium services with deployable end user device tablet providing blue force tracking; radio messaging; navigation; and satellite communications for geo-tracking.
Herve described the concept as a “simple and discreet” solution for special forces, also capable of networking them to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and providing a modular, scalable and ergonomic fit allowing for the integration of other specialist equipment.
Additionally, Herve explained to MILITARY TECHNOLOGY how an Internal Security Vehicle (ISV) variant of the 6×6 Titus armoured personnel carrier was curently being evaluated by French security forces.
The vehicle could be used by the likes of the Gendarmerie’s RAID (Recherche, Assistance, Intervention, Dissuasion) special mission unit as well as the Ministry of Defence’s paramilitary unit, GIGN (Groupe d’intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale), both force elements of which have a remit to conduct Hostage Rescue Operations (HROs) as well as other counter-terrorism (CT) tasks across France.
A similar concept has been used by SOF assault teams conducting expeditionary operations in built up areas, allowing protected insertion towards target building and compounds while also providing a Command and Control hub as well as fire support for dismounted personnel.
Protected up to NATO STANAG 4569 Level 2, the Titus ISV is capable of transporting a crew of 2 and assault team of 11 personnel into target areas in a secure environment, ahead of an HRO or CT mission for example.
Andrew White