Enhancing lethality through connectivity, Artificial Intelligence and Human Machine Teaming

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Qioptiq is now part of Teledyne! Since presenting our thoughts on the future of soldier sighting systems in the last edition of SoldierMod, Qioptiq has joined the Teledyne family, following successful completion of the acquisition of select aerospace and defence electronics businesses from Excelitas Technologies Corp.

With the acquisition deal being announced on February 3rd 2025, we are now finding our place alongside the wide range of world leading technologies, capabilities, products and services that Teledyne provides to the Aerospace and Defence markets worldwide, and we are very excited about what we can contribute, along with the teams and technologies that we now have greater access to in order to offer our customers enhanced connectivity, increased Artificial Intelligence (AI) and greater potential for Human Machine Teaming (HMT) at the Soldier System Level.

As the modern battlefield continues to increase in complexity, and adapt on an almost weekly basis, the need for advanced and adaptable soldier systems and wider digital connectivity is more critical than ever. The technologies that soldiers use to detect, recognise, identify, engage and neutralize targets are evolving rapidly, thanks to innovations in night vision, thermal imaging and fused systems. These developments are improving not only the accuracy and effectiveness of soldiers in combat but also enhancing their ability to operate in low-visibility environments such as darkness, smoke, harsh weather, and even beyond line of sight when utilised in collaboration with unmanned platforms in the air, on the land and at sea. This article provides an overview of some of the ongoing and roadmap developments at Teledyne Qioptiq in the area of advanced soldier systems, their increasing integration with unmanned systems, and how Artificial Intelligence has the potential to support users and enhance their effectiveness.

One of the most significant developments in soldier sighting systems is their connectivity to unmanned systems, such as drones, robotic scouts and ground vehicles. These systems have the potential to become integrated with sighting equipment, offering real-time feeds that can be used to enhance the soldier's situational awareness and target identification capabilities, along with the ability to command and control remote effectors without the need for specialised additional control systems.

For example, soldiers can receive live footage from UAVs equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging and geo-locational sensors. This footage can be directly integrated into their sighting systems, giving them a broader view of the battlefield, including areas outside their line of sight. This collaboration with unmanned systems extends the soldier's sensory reach, providing more information to make faster, better decisions.

Future sighting systems will allow for collaborative targeting, where data from drones, satellites and ground platforms can be fused with a soldier's own vision and sighting systems. This integration supports more accurate targeting, enhanced coordination among units and greater situational awareness for individual soldiers and teams operating in complex, cluttered and conjected environments.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Enhancing Decision-Making

AI is another transformative force reshaping soldier sighting systems. By leveraging machine learning and data analytics, AI-powered or supported systems can enhance a soldier's ability to identify, track and engage targets with unprecedented speed and accuracy. AI algorithms can process vast amounts of data from imaging sensors (such as short, mid and long wave thermal imagers), identifying potential threats and prioritizing targets in real-time.

AI-driven target recognition technology allows sighting systems to automatically lock onto and highlight threats in the soldier's view, even if the soldier has limited visibility. This is especially useful in environments where threats may be camouflaged or hidden. With the help of AI, sighting systems can even predict the movement of enemy forces based on behavioural patterns, helping soldiers to anticipate and respond more effectively.

This area has been a key focus for the Qioptiq technology developers, with significant effort being placed on low power “on the edge” processing that can deploy AI capabilities to DCC Users. Bringing together a number of capabilities including Collaborative Target Handoff (CTH), Passive Range Finding (PRF) and AI Motion Estimation (AIME), the GRYPHON AI Hub is a stand alone module, working in conjunction with an App that provides DCC Users with a number of capabilities to exploit.

A New Dawn for Soldier Sighting Systems - 24Hr Digital Lethality

The future of soldier sighting systems is an exciting blend of night vision, thermal imaging, sensor fusion and connectivity to unmanned systems. As these technologies evolve, they will redefine how soldiers interact with their environments, providing them with enhanced precision, better decision-making tools and improved safety in combat situations.

As these technologies continue to develop, it's clear that the next generation of sighting systems will not only enhance the accuracy of individual soldiers but also revolutionize how they perceive and respond to threats in real-time, therefore strengthening the “kill web”. The future of warfare is digital, interconnected and deeply integrated, ushering in a new era of combat efficiency and precision.

Qioptiq are playing a vital role in these developments, pushing the boundaries of optics and photonics to create systems that will serve soldiers in an increasingly digital and interconnected battlefield. The convergence of these cutting-edge technologies will ensure that soldiers of the future are better equipped to meet the challenges of modern warfare.

Fused Systems: Combining the Best of Both Worlds

The integration of different technologies, particularly fused systems that combine night vision, thermal imaging and optical sights into a single, seamless device is very much a reality.

Qioptiq has been leading the pack when it comes to Fused sighting systems. Having the early vision, and working collaboratively with stakeholders across the UK MoD, the TALON fused weapon sight is a prime example of how technology developments can be shaped by the collaborative approach to deliver game changing capability to DCC Users.

TALON combines the strengths of each technology—thermal imaging's ability to detect heat, along with night vision's high resolution low-light capabilities. This fusion allows soldiers to see the full spectrum of the battlefield, enabling more effective targeting and enhanced situational awareness.

Exploiting the potential for fused systems even further, future systems have the potential to enhance soldiers' ability to quickly detect and engage targets, even in the most challenging environments. With sensor fusion, multiple inputs from thermal cameras, night vision and high-definition optics can be merged into a single, clear image. This reduces the cognitive load on soldiers, providing them with real-time, actionable information to improve decision-making and reduce response time.

Conclusion:

At Teledyne, we recognise the need to ensure our system solutions offer our customers a meaningful advantage on the battlefield, which is why we operate an integrated model across our Technology Roadmaps, Product Roadmaps, and New Product Introduction timelines to ensure we are developing and delivering solutions tailored to the needs of the rapidly evolving digital and connected battlespace. Spiral acquisition with pre-planned technology upgrades across the life of a capability is now a way of life for many acquisition authorities, who require long term partnerships with trusted suppliers, acting in unison with front line commands to ensure the “One Defence” model can deliver true benefit.

Teledyne Qioptiq will be exhibiting at DSEi during September, so please visit us on Stand N6-125 to meet with our teams and discuss how we may support your ongoing, emerging, and future requirements for enhanced connectivity, 24hr digital lethality and effective human machine teaming. We look forward to seeing you there.

For more information please visit:
https://www.teledyne-ade.com