The Italian Army "Soldier Future" program, which aims to digitize and connect infantry on the battlefield, could be ready to go into production. After a series of problems, related to a massive amount of information of the implemented systems that would have overloaded the systems (and the soldiers), the Future Soldier it has been simplified and could be fully operational.
Thanks to the tests that took place in Lecce during the year - General Gaetano Zauner, head of the general and financial planning department of the Italian Army - told Defense News the Soldier of the Future program has been simplified and become more pragmatic.
(Ri) Launched in the 2002, the program Future Soldier is made by the army and a consortium of companies (including Iveco, Oto Melara and Beretta) led by Selex, in an attempt to equip the Italian soldier of the 21st century. The initiative is part of a larger program called Forza NEC, which involves the digitization of vehicles, such as the VBM Freccia, in a net-centric structure. With a budget of 1,1 billion, the Forza NEC (Network Enabled Capabilities) program has requested (only for the current year) 235 million, according to what emerges from the government budget. In the 2010, the program has entered the "risk reduction" phase. Some components of the program Future Soldier will be tested during Trident Juncture, the largest annual NATO exercise to be held in Italy, Spain and Portugal with land, air and naval units and special forces from all NATO countries. The Pinerolo Mechanized Brigade of the Italian Army was chosen to test the new technologies.
Zauner added: "The main software of the program Future Soldier is now mature, as well as the night vision device that has already been tested in Afghanistan and the new 800 gram helmet. The suite also includes bullet-proof vests and protective clothing against chemical, biological and nuclear threats. The thermal camera should be available for each platoon within the 2016. The Beretta ARX-160 assault rifle (tested in Afghanistan) is practically ready: each team will also receive a version with grenade launchers. Each platoon's sniper will be equipped with the 7,62 mm ARX-200 rifle, equipped with ICS (Intelligent Combat Sight) developed by Steiner, a subsidiary of Beretta. Finally, platoon commanders will be provided with a sort of tablet that will connect the entire training network. The average load of the soldier will be 30 / 40 chili: acceptable weight for rapid movements ".
After the exercises in Spain, the Italian army will carry out a final review to determine what will go into production. However, the soldier's program of the Italian future has been strongly revised and simplified compared to what he imagined ten years ago. Like, for example, the provision of glasses (a sort of Google Glass) connected in Bluetooth for image sharing or Wi-Fi connection capacity for communications within a hundred meters between men and vehicles. Proposals eliminated. We needed to filter the information, commented Zauner.
Then there is the main problem, and that is the one related to cost. Suffice it to say that the "Software Defined Radio" (a sort of multistandard radio software receivers) has almost reached the same price as a Lynx Army. In fact, Forza Nec provides for the reuse of systems already supplied to the armed forces. "La Pinerolo has received the Freccias in various versions (combat, anti-tank, with mortar, command post, ISTAR and recovery versions), and we expect to make it fully digitized within the next three years." The Network Enabled Capabilities aims to integrate all major systems of the armed forces of the army: Siaccon, Siccona, Blue Force Situational Awareness and Software Defined Radio.
