from the straits time
interavtive, 020904
Improved combat system weighs less but is more rugged, has
more lethal firepower and comes with voice recognition instead of
buttons.
By David Boey
THE Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) vision of transforming each
infantry soldier into a warrior of the future - armed with lethal
firepower and sensors that allow him to fight at night - has moved
a step closer to reality.
The SAR-21 rifle now uses sensors that are 3 kg lighter.
The Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), which manages
weapons programmes for the Ministry of Defence and SAF, said
yesterday that initial trials of the Advanced Combat Man System
have shown key reductions in weight and improvements in reliability
over previous equipment.
The improved system - which includes weapons, sensors and equipment
that future soldiers may carry into battle - will be showcased at
the Safti Military Institute at this weekend's Army Open House,
said the Ministry of Defence yesterday.
Lieutenant-Colonel Jason Lim from Headquarters Armour, which is
organising the event's Army Transformation exhibits, said: 'The
soldier of the SAF's third-generation fighting force must be able
to see better, sense better, shoot better and survive
better.'
The public got its first glimpse of what future SAF infantrymen
will be armed with at the last Army Open House in 2002.
DSTA project manager Choo Hui Wei said two years of development
have allowed DSTA to cut down the weight of the load that soldiers
have to carry by some 20 per cent.
'The weight of the system will not only affect the mobility of the
soldier, it will inevitably affect the soldier's fighting
capabilities,' he said.
Mr Choo added that a challenge was to provide soldiers with
enhanced capabilities to communicate with one another and deliver
more lethal firepower 'without adding extra weight, and where
possible, even taking weight off the soldiers'.
The project team's target: to keep the weight of weapons and
equipment a soldier has to lug around to 'less than one-third of an
average soldier's body weight'.
To do so entails a balancing act, Mr Choo said, as the team has to
design the whole system so that it is compact and yet its fighting
capabilities are not compromised.
Weight issues aside, Mr Choo said the improved system uses 'voice
recognition in place of buttons and keys' to exchange data with
other soldiers.
'It has made it more intuitive for the soldier, as he can now use
it just like talking to his buddy.'
He added that the system has also been made more rugged to
withstand stresses on the battlefield and rough handling, and more
user-friendly.
One of the key areas where weight has been cut is the
Singapore-made SAR-21 assault rifle, which is the standard rifle
that infantrymen now carry.
Back in 2002, sensors and weapon sights were added to the rifle to
improve its accuracy, but this raised its weight to more than
8kg.
The new version is 3kg lighter as it uses sensors which are less
bulky and lighter, Mr Choo said.
The additional sensors fitted to the weapon allow soldiers to shoot
around corners with the help of a TV camera attached under the gun
barrel. Night-vision equipment allows soldiers to fight in complete
darkness without using visible light.
'With enhanced superior knowledge and precision engagement
capabilities, our future warrior's situational awareness is raised
and their survivability is enhanced,' he added.
'Given the knowledge of the enemies' whereabouts, the soldier will
have the ability to execute precise tactical engagement before
being engaged by the enemy.'
