Enhancing the Dismounted Soldier's
Capabilities in the Age of Drones

By Leo McCloskey, Vice President of Marketing at Echodyne

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The information revolution that transformed enterprise businesses offers intriguing parallels to the technological evolution available to the dismounted soldier. Just as centralized computing on large, expensive, high-maintenance platforms faced bottlenecks that were eventually solved by distributing computing power more widely, the military is experiencing a similar shift. The goal: to enhance situational awareness, performance and safety for soldiers on the ground in an era where drones and electronic warfare have dramatically changed the dynamics of the battlespace.

In the business world, the evolution from centralized mainframes to personal computing revolutionized data flows and operational efficiency. The transition saw the "dumb terminal" evolve into powerful computing platforms, eventually placing more computing power in the palm of a hand than was used in the Apollo space missions. This growth aligns with Moore's Law, which predicts the doubling of transistor density every 24 months without an increase in cost. However, the benefits of this transition are equally attributable to Metcalfe's Law, which posits that the value of a network is proportional to the square of its users.

The proliferation of computing devices led to the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), where small computing platforms equipped with wireless communications were installed across enterprises. This widespread instrumentation allowed businesses to measure performance meticulously, driving continuous improvement through practices like kaizen. By designing processes, inventories and actions to produce performance data, enterprises could make data-driven decisions that enhanced efficiency and competitiveness.

The military seeks a similar outcome in the instrumentation of fighting forces: eliminating surprises and elevating performance through metrics, training and disciplined execution. For the dismounted soldier, voice and data communications have become primary instruments for monitoring activity and measuring progress, much like mobile networks unlocked potential in businesses.

The integration of voice and data into unified networks has led to resilient mesh networks from companies like Silvus Technologies. These networks equip dismounted soldiers with always-available service, ensuring constant connectivity and situational awareness. Just as equipping the workforce with laptops and mobile phones enabled global businesses to thrive, providing soldiers with advanced communications gear forms the baseline—the sine qua non—of any data-driven improvement in military operations.

The Drone Revolution: A Radical Shift

While enterprises contend with fierce market competition, they have not faced a technological upheaval quite like the introduction of drones as weapons in warfare. Drones have fundamentally altered the dynamics of every engagement, posing a constant threat to the dismounted soldier. Ranging from slow and unpredictable to cruise missile-like speeds with agility, drones have become ubiquitous on the modern battlefield.

The Russo-Ukrainian conflict demonstrates that situational awareness of both surface and air domains is essential for success and safety. Drones have introduced a level of "transparency" to the battlespace, capable of identifying all dismounted and mechanized movements for targeting by fires and counter-fires. This pervasive surveillance capability means that soldiers are under constant threat from above, necessitating new strategies and technologies for detection and defence.

As electronic warfare (EW) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) capabilities improve, adversaries are developing drones with enhanced flight autonomy. The best way for drones to avoid EW interference is to eliminate reliance on radio frequency (RF) signals altogether. Developments in Ukraine point to swift adoption of autonomous navigation capabilities, making drones even more challenging to detect and counter.

These advancements require the military to innovate rapidly to protect and enable the dismounted soldier. New fabrics and practices are being developed to reduce detectable body heat, improving safety from drones equipped with thermal imaging. However, the primary challenge remains detecting, tracking and identifying drones in the airspace to provide timely warnings and effective countermeasures.

Progress is being made on several fronts to equip the dismounted soldier with simple, easy-to-use technology for drone detection and defines. Performance improvements in multi-spectral optics have focused on increasing range and fidelity. However, these often come with corresponding increases in cost, size, weight and power (C-SWaP). Innovations in optical equipment, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for identification and tracking, are generating exciting performance improvements.

Companies like OpenWorks Engineering are at the forefront of this shift, developing optical systems that leverage AI to maintain visual contact with drones. These systems can autonomously detect and track drones, providing soldiers with crucial information without overburdening them with additional equipment or complexity.

The conventional approach of using EW capabilities to detect drone-operator RF signals and interfere with communications is also evolving. What was once the domain of large, fixed installations is migrating to small kits that can be easily and safely worn by the dismounted soldier. Companies such as DroneShield, MyDefence and Axon are miniaturizing EW technology, improving ease of use, and making it feasible for soldiers to carry and operate these systems in the field.

These portable EW solutions can detect drones by identifying their RF signals, allowing soldiers to take proactive measures to avoid detection or engage the threat. By bringing EW capabilities to the individual soldier, the military enhances situational awareness and provides additional layers of defence against drone threats.

A significant addition to the dismounted soldier's kit is the portable radar system. Echodyne's EchoGuard radar exemplifies this innovation, offering impressive performance against drones and possessing the accuracy required to detect, track, and classify aerial threats. Weighing less than 2 kg, the EchoGuard radar provides precise targeting information to direct soldier attention, train optics and guide effectors.

The entire kit—including batteries, tripod, computer and cables—fits into a single, man-packable backpack. This portability ensures that soldiers can carry advanced radar capabilities without being encumbered by excessive weight or bulk. The precision and reliability of portable radar systems like EchoGuard significantly enhance the dismounted soldier's ability to detect and respond to drone threats effectively.

The combination of advanced communications, optics, EW capabilities and portable radar forms a comprehensive defence strategy for the dismounted soldier. By integrating these technologies, soldiers gain a multi-layered defence system that improves situational awareness and response times.

• Communications Networks: Resilient mesh networks ensure constant connectivity, allowing soldiers to share information and coordinate actions seamlessly.
• Optical Systems with AI: Advanced optics equipped with AI enable autonomous detection and tracking of drones, providing real-time visual intelligence.
• Miniaturized EW Equipment: Portable EW solutions detect and disrupt drone communications, reducing the threat level and buying critical response time.
• Portable Radar Systems: Precision radar detects drones at greater distances and in various conditions, offering very early warning and precise targeting data.

By leveraging these technologies, the military can create an interconnected ecosystem that significantly enhances the dismounted soldier's capabilities and safety.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain in fully equipping dismounted soldiers with the necessary technology to counter the evolving drone threat. Factors such as cost, training, integration and logistical support must be considered to ensure that new equipment does not overburden soldiers or detract from their primary mission.

Additionally, the rapid pace of technological change in drone capabilities requires continuous innovation and adaptation. Autonomous drones that do not rely on RF signals present new detection challenges, emphasizing the need for multi-sensor approaches that combine radar, optics and other detection methods.

The parallels between the information revolution in enterprise businesses and the technological evolution available to the dismounted soldier are striking. Just as businesses have leveraged distributed computing, IoT and data-driven practices to enhance performance and competitiveness, the military must adopt similar strategies to protect and empower soldiers on the ground.

The introduction of drones as weapons has fundamentally changed the dynamics of warfare, making situational awareness and rapid response capabilities more critical than ever. By embracing technological innovations in communications, optics, EW and radar, the military can provide dismounted soldiers with the tools they need to navigate this new landscape safely and effectively.

Companies like Silvus Technologies, OpenWorks Engineering, DroneShield, MyDefence, Axon and Echodyne are leading the way in developing and miniaturizing technologies that address these challenges. Their contributions are vital in ensuring that soldiers are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that enhances their capabilities without imposing undue burdens.

To fully realize the benefits of these technological advancements, collaboration between the military, industry partners and policymakers is essential. Investment in research and development, procurement processes that prioritize innovation, and training programs that equip soldiers to use new technologies effectively will all play critical roles.

The military must also remain agile in its approach, ready to adapt to new threats and technological changes swiftly. Continuous evaluation and integration of emerging technologies will ensure that soldiers are not left at a disadvantage on the battlefield.

Empowering the Dismounted Soldier

The goal is clear: to empower the dismounted soldier with the tools and capabilities needed to operate safely and effectively in an increasingly complex and dangerous environment. By drawing lessons from the information revolution in enterprise businesses and applying them thoughtfully to military operations, we can enhance performance, reduce surprises and safeguard those who serve.

In an age where drones and electronic warfare have altered the very nature of conflict, embracing innovation is not just beneficial—it is imperative. The technologies discussed offer a path forward, providing practical solutions that address current challenges while laying the groundwork for future advancements.

As we look ahead, the commitment to equipping the dismounted soldier with cutting-edge technology must remain unwavering. Through collaboration, investment and a shared vision for innovation, we can ensure that our forces are prepared to meet the demands of modern warfare and emerge successful in their missions.

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https://echodyne.com