Heavy soldier equipment is putting troops' lives at risk

Jan. 28, 2011 - PRLog -- Research over the last 12 months with soldier modernisation and NATO programme managers shows that the combined weight of soldiers' equipment is putting lives at risk. The main challenge in the soldier modernisation programme managers' eyes is to reduce the burden for NATO troops without compromising protection and combat performance.

Modernisation of soldier systems to protect, mobilise and empower the soldier has resulted in an exponential increase in the total weight being carried in theatre.

In depth research has been carried out with the following Soldier Modernisation Programmes to dig deeper in to the challenges and explore the solutions that manufacturers and contractors can offer:

FIST (UK - Future Integrated Soldier Technology)
FELIN (France - Integrated Equipment and Communications Infantryman)
IdZ (Germany - German Future Infantryman)
ISSP (Canada - Integrated Soldier System Project)
NORMANS (Norway - Norwegian Modular Arctic Network Soldier )  

Feedback from soldier modernisation programmes is that soldier equipment is too heavy and slows down the troops. Equipment manufacturers and contractors are being urged to respond but this requires visibility on specifications – lighter power and lighter protection are seen as crucial parts of the solution.

Soldier equipment is still not interoperable enough – industry has to work closer together not to use new connectors but focus on connectivity.

Most deaths and injuries are being caused by poor protection from enemy fire and IEDs and poor communication – protection system developers need to deliver better head and body protection and communications which can function in both urban and mountainous environments.

The issues above have formed the basis of discussion at NATO meetings and will be the central focus at the 10th Annual Soldier Technology Conference & Exhibition in June 2011 at Olympia Conference Centre, London.

To find out more about reducing the soldiers' burden visit www.soldiertechnology.com, email soldiertechnology@wbr.co.uk or call +44 (0) 207 368 9465.

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WBR is the world's biggest large-scale conference company and part of the PLS group, one of the world's leading providers of strategic business intelligence with 16 offices worldwide.