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QwikConnect n n n GLENAIR JANUARY 2015 VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1 IN THIS ISSUE: NEW INTERCONNECT T EC H N O L O GY FOR MODERN SOLDIER SYSTEMS Cover: Sgt. 1st Class, Maria Young Photo Credit: Pfc Bryan WillisQwikConnect NEW INTERCONNECT medical conditionscaused by and networking capabilities. The T EC H N O L O GY excessive loadshave become aim is not only to revolutionize more common throughout the how troops speak to each other military services. Now in the but also how voice, location FOR MODERN SOLDIER SYSTEMS aftermath of Afghanistan and and data is transmitted through Iraq, there is a renewed effort to integrated warfighter information reduce loadsparticularly in the networks. development and use of centralized Iraq and Afghanistan have demonstrated battery packs, integrated, multiport soldiers must remain networked at all times power hubs and interconnect cabling that to maintain tactical effectiveness and agility. The allow soldiers to run devices off one rechargeable US military, for instance, is completely overhauling its lithium-ion cell. In addition, researchers have increasingly information sharing capabilities for dismounted troops under a focused on improving lithium-ion technology itself. program called Nett Warrior. The aim is to mimic the simplicity Mighty Mouse FUTURE SOLDIER SYSTEMS Organizations like the US Army Research Laboratory have and capacity of commercial networks, but retain the encryption jumper cable for NATO power module made significant gains in lithium-ion technology. One needed for modern military operations. When infantry soldiers went to war during the 20th century they typically carried a rifle, of the most important developments has been helmet, ammunition, food and some spare clothes. While their 21st century counterparts This network centric approach emphasizes the improvement in power output. Current might look back and appreciate the simplicity of such an outfit, few of them would be the need to connect, or network, different lithium-ion batteries operate around happy to lose the equipment innovations that have so measurably advanced 21st century technologies to enable greater data the 3.6V-4.2V range but an improved ground soldier effectiveness. Soldier equipment modernization effortssuch as have sharing and battlefield awareness. It understanding of the interface been implemented in the US, UK, France, Singapore, Germany and elsewherehave gone is the digital backbone for any 21st between a batterys cathode and by a variety of names: Future Soldier, Future Force Warrior, Land Warrior, NETT Warrior and century soldier. electrolyte means 5V may soon be so on. A common theme among these modernization programs has been their systems of possible. Ultimately, that means Nett Warrior will allow soldiers systems approach, which emphasises the blending of individual components into a complete batteries will last much longer and to securely share pictures, text integrated system. More recently, other models have emphasized a versatile power and networking fewer spares will be necessary. messages and transmit location backbone with the flexibility to accommodate a wide range of available device typesparticularly as data across the network using an soldier operational requirements vary so significantly from one battle geography to the next. Glenair has also been at the off-the-shelf (OTS) smartphone forefront of soldier power and software-defined radio. The management and weight saving core of this is the single channel work. Small form factor connectors, With serious conflicts continuing to simmer throughout the have led to new power management systems and rechargeable AN/PRC-154 Rifleman Radio - made such as Mighty Mouse and now world, governments and industry remain actively engaged cell technologies. by General Dynamics C4 Systems and SuperFly have enabled integrated in research and development in soldier systems and discrete Thales - that transmits voice and data Throughout the history of modern soldier programs, and as power system manufacturers to reduce technologies. In this special issue of QwikConnect, we review simultaneously using the Soldier Radio the number of electronic soldier devices increased, battery the footprint of power equipment below the equipment that currently supports the 21st century warrior Waveform. Information from each device powera heavy and cumbersome resourcehas had to what would otherwise have been possible. as well as some innovations still in the development phase is also sent higher up the chain of command so expand. A soldier going out on a week-long patrol, for example, Glenair innovations in wire and cablingsuch as signs of what is to come in the ongoing effort to advance commanders have a real-time picture of the battlefield. needs sustainable power for every device he uses. Command conductive materials woven directly into webbinghas also soldier effectiveness, lethality, mobility and survival. and control (situational awareness) capabilities are a major contributed to reductions in power management system size Along with OTS smartphone hardware, military and industry element of future soldier programs. But such technologies and weight. are also focusing on developing soldier-focused software POWER MANAGEMENT AND are power hungry and add significantly to pack weight and applications (or apps). Its not so much the future, but transportability. The lack of ready power can and will adversely WEIGHT SAVING keeping up with the rapid pace of technological TACTICAL impact soldier effectiveness across the broad range of their change in the commercial sector. Soldiers To anyone who hasnt carried a soldiers load of equipment, COMMUNICATIONS AND work: from disaster relief to counter-terrorism. are often frustrated their military power management might not sound like the most important NETWORKING communications gear doesnt reflect Possibly one of the biggest changes to soldier battery/power military technology topic. In fact, it is one of the most critical the capabilities of their personal management technology has been the switch from primary It is a universal motto among soldiers: technology issues for future soldiers. Without efficient and cellphones or tablets. batteries (non-rechargeable) to rechargeable. During the no comms, no bombs. Those four sustainable electrical power, none of the electronic innovations early stages of the Iraq War, most batteries in theater were still words sum up the vital contribution detailed here would be possible. Simply put, soldiers do not US agency DARPA is working to primary, which placed significant strains on military supply communication systems play on have the luxury of mains power and are totally dependent revolutionize acquisition and chains. To say soldiers have been burdened with batteries the modern battlefield. After a on a mobile power sub-system to keep night vision goggles, soldier capabilities through its presents the problem too mildly. The Iraq and Afghanistan decade of conflict in Iraq and thermal-imaging sights, electronic counter-measures, personal Transformative Apps (TransApp) wars tested soldiers to their physical limitswith some Afghanistan, many Western radios, GPS and other technologies working in the field. For program. The idea is to create carrying nearly 60% (around 50-60kg) of their body in gear and armies are now focusing on many years this requirement has been served with high- a military-style App Store equipment. It should come as no surprise that musculoskeletal upgrading their communication performance batteries. But size and weight reduction efforts where applications of all varieties n n 2 QwikConnect January 2015 QwikConnect January 2015 3