D
D-n-A
Guest
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/Feature_Story/2004/may04/26-2_f_e.asp
The Future is Now for Canadian Troops
By Sgt Craig Reid
Photos: MCpl ERIC GORDON
FORT BENNING, Georgia â †More than 100 soldiers descended upon Georgia in April to participate in the seventh and final installment of the Soldier Information Requirements Technology Demonstration (SIREQ-TD) Fort Benning Experimentation Series.
The Experimentation Series is a compilation of scientific experiments used to determine which pieces of equipment will help soldiers fight in the future. Some of the trial equipment the soldiers tried were personal computing devices, intra-section communication devices, target detection engagement devices, and navigational aids.
The soldiers, from Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, worked alongside researchers from Defence Research and Development Canada â “ Toronto and Human Systems Incorporated, (HSI).
David Tack, vice-president of operations for HSI knows that his organization is helping the Army move forward.
Researchers and soldiers experiment with electronic devices for the battlefield
Soldiers play critical role
â Å“Our role is to develop test and experimentation plans,â ? he said, â Å“to bring the Canadian soldier into the design, test and evaluation team. We want the soldier to become a partner in that process and to help guide the evaluation of the clothing and equipment that we are testing. They become very critical to us and we facilitate their involvement in this process.â ?
In 2001, soldiers tested communication equipment such as networked computing devices for the passage of data and the personal role radios (PRR) for intra section communications. They overwhelmingly chose the PRR radio system as the best during the experiments. Soldiers currently use the PRR radio system in Operation ATHENA in Afghanistan.
Major Darryl Mills, officer commanding, Charlie Coy, said he believes that the experience the soldiers will gain by participating in these experiments will ultimately be invaluable to the Army.
Walk with blinders on
â Å“We are looking at mini computers with the pop up screens, being able to track navigational routes, or looking at a piece of hardware and see where your other section and platoon members are on the battlefield,â ? he said.
â Å“Before, it was a case where a soldier could pretty much walk with blinders on and not know who was on his left or his right. This new technology pretty much enables the soldier to become more lethal, he becomes more situationally aware, and I think he becomes a better soldier.â ?
With the experimentation series now complete, decisions will be made based on the scientific data collected from the soldiers as to which equipment soldiers will use to fight in the future.
Sgt Reid is a reporter with Army News.
The Future is Now for Canadian Troops
By Sgt Craig Reid
Photos: MCpl ERIC GORDON
FORT BENNING, Georgia â †More than 100 soldiers descended upon Georgia in April to participate in the seventh and final installment of the Soldier Information Requirements Technology Demonstration (SIREQ-TD) Fort Benning Experimentation Series.
The Experimentation Series is a compilation of scientific experiments used to determine which pieces of equipment will help soldiers fight in the future. Some of the trial equipment the soldiers tried were personal computing devices, intra-section communication devices, target detection engagement devices, and navigational aids.
The soldiers, from Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, worked alongside researchers from Defence Research and Development Canada â “ Toronto and Human Systems Incorporated, (HSI).
David Tack, vice-president of operations for HSI knows that his organization is helping the Army move forward.
Researchers and soldiers experiment with electronic devices for the battlefield
Soldiers play critical role
â Å“Our role is to develop test and experimentation plans,â ? he said, â Å“to bring the Canadian soldier into the design, test and evaluation team. We want the soldier to become a partner in that process and to help guide the evaluation of the clothing and equipment that we are testing. They become very critical to us and we facilitate their involvement in this process.â ?
In 2001, soldiers tested communication equipment such as networked computing devices for the passage of data and the personal role radios (PRR) for intra section communications. They overwhelmingly chose the PRR radio system as the best during the experiments. Soldiers currently use the PRR radio system in Operation ATHENA in Afghanistan.
Major Darryl Mills, officer commanding, Charlie Coy, said he believes that the experience the soldiers will gain by participating in these experiments will ultimately be invaluable to the Army.
Walk with blinders on
â Å“We are looking at mini computers with the pop up screens, being able to track navigational routes, or looking at a piece of hardware and see where your other section and platoon members are on the battlefield,â ? he said.
â Å“Before, it was a case where a soldier could pretty much walk with blinders on and not know who was on his left or his right. This new technology pretty much enables the soldier to become more lethal, he becomes more situationally aware, and I think he becomes a better soldier.â ?
With the experimentation series now complete, decisions will be made based on the scientific data collected from the soldiers as to which equipment soldiers will use to fight in the future.
Sgt Reid is a reporter with Army News.
