F-INSAS update?

[angeldemon_007]

I don't know whether you guys read this article or not but its an interesting piece on FINSAS program ....

Future infantry: unravelling the Indian Army's F-INSAS programme

F-INSAS aims to put the Indian Army at the forefront of soldier tech, but precious little is currently known about it. Chris Lo tries to separate fact from rumour to build an accurate picture of India's ambitious future soldier programme.

As a leading light of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) group of rapidly developing countries, India's galloping economy is quickly catching up with countries in Europe and North America.
Just as India's economy is expanding and modernising, moving ever further from its agrarian roots, the Indian Government is looking to bring cutting-edge 21st century technology to its million-strong armed forces. According to some reports, the Indian Ministry of Defence has been supporting around 600 modernisation initiatives for the Indian Army in the country's eleventh five-year plan (2007-2012).
Current large-scale modernisation plans include the Tactical Communications Systems programme to build a digital network connecting regiments and battalions to army headquarters, as well as the battle management system project to integrate the communications of the country's army, navy and air force.

F-INSAS: creating 21st century warriors

One of the biggest of these projects is F-INSAS (futuristic infantry soldier as a system), a multibillion dollar programme to turn India's infantrymen into fully-networked, digitised, self-contained 21st century warriors.
The scheme, which is reportedly planned to be rolled out in stages between 2012 and 2020, has been described by Indian defence officials as similar in scope and objectives to infantry modernisation projects like the US Army's Future Force Warrior initiative.
F-INSAS can trace its roots back to 2007 and even before, however, there is still very little information available about the project. With little government communication on the initiative and widespread confusion about its progress, doubts have been raised as to whether F-INSAS is on track to meet its goals.
Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) military and intelligence research fellow Mark Phillips characterises the Indian Ministry of Defence as suffering from a "lack of expertise", leading to scattershot development and a lack of clear long-term goals for projects like modernisation schemes.
"The Indian Administrative Service is composed of generalists who have no functional expertise, which results in constant reinvention of the wheel and a lack of capacity to evaluate long-term issues like defence planning and military capabilities," he said. "This is despite the fact that civil servants maintain considerable control of financing. Bureaucrats focus on the process of decision-making instead of the outcome."
We picked through the tangle of F-INSAS data to compile everything we know about this troubled but potentially revolutionary R&D project and its current status.

The Indian Army's F-INSAS goals

The overarching goals of the F-INSAS programme, which took shape in 2007 after several years of planning, combine a host of soldier-mounted technologies with the aim of creating a new generation of Indian infantry with better communications, lethality, survivability and situational awareness.
The F-INSAS roadmap, laid out by Indian defence officials at the project's outset, states that the new system will be supplied to eight to ten infantry battalions (up to 10,000 soldiers) by 2015, with all 325 battalions fully upgraded by 2020.
"We have put in place an action plan to modernise the armed forces in all dimensions," said India's now former chief of army staff Joginder Jaswant Singh back in 2007.
"A project, code-named F-INSAS, has been taken up to train futuristic soldiers, equipped with latest weaponry, communication network and instant access to information on the battlefield. In my view, the next war will be won by the side that is adept at high technology with all-weather fighting capability."

Innovative rifle development

The cornerstone and first stage of the F-INSAS project is the development or procurement of a new standard-issue armament to replace the ageing INSAS (Indian small arms system) rifle.

This was developed by India's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and introduced by the Ordnance Factory Board in the late 1990s.
This replacement has been plagued by usability problems, especially cold arrest issues in high altitude areas. As a result the Indian Army has been forced to import 100,000 AK-47 rifles in 1995, which have proved more reliable in extreme conditions.
To replace the INSAS, the Indian Army wants to develop or acquire a new modular, multicalibre suite of weapons. The primary weapon is planned to be a rifle capable of firing 5.56mm and 7.62mm ammunition with a new 6.8mm under-development. This first stage alone will reportedly cost up to Rs250bn ($5bn).
As well as interchangeable barrels, the new rifle would also incorporate an under-barrel grenade launcher able to launch air-burst grenades, as well as thermal optics and a laser range finder. Other weapons proposed for the system include a close-quarter battle (CQB) carbine and a specialised sniper rifle.

Hi-tech equipment and accessories

In the later stages of the programme, the Indian Army intends to complement its new weapon platforms with a range of high-tech equipment for its infantry soldiers.
This equipment includes a new helmet with mounted thermal sensors and night vision, as well as cameras and chemical and biological sensors. The helmet will have an integrated visor with a heads-up display (HUD) capable of outputting images with the equivalent space of two 17-inch computer screens.
Other proposed accessories include a full battle-suit with a bullet-proof and waterproof jacket, health sensors and even solar charging devices.
This kind of personal energy generation could be used to power the soldier's HUD and sensor systems, as well as a wrist-mounted Palmtop GPS system that will be used to increase battlefield awareness and act as a networked messaging system between battalions and their commanders.
On top of all this, the army aims to reduce the overall weight carried by infantry soldiers by at least 50%.

F-INSAS development: home or away?

Despite the hugely ambitious nature of this cutting-edge programme, F-INSAS has seen little in the way of demonstrable progress since 2007. The host of armed forces modernisation programmes (many of which overlap in terms of objectives), combined with a lack of official clarification from government sources, has created a spaghetti junction of conflicting reports, even when simply looking at the initiative's first stage of weapon development.
One of the major talking points of F-INSAS's early stages was the government's desire to assign the development of the different aspects of the soldier systems to India's own expertise as much as possible, relying on domestic companies and public defence organisations like the Ordnance Factory Board and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) rather than foreign defence contractors from the US or Europe.
"Indian industry has demonstrated its capabilities in the fields of information technology and other core sectors and the army expects it to achieve excellence in defence technology, too," said J.J. Singh's chief of army staff successor Deepak Kapoor in 2007.
Indeed, picture evidence from military events seems to show that Indian companies like Tata Advanced Materials and Tata subsidiary Nelco are working on various parts of F-INSAS equipment and accessories, from night vision goggles and body armour to personal power packs.
It should be noted, however, that no official confirmation of these contracts by either companies or the government has been published.

Private sector excluded?

Phillips believes the Indian Government's insistence on eschewing private sector involvement in defence procurement in favour of public organisations like DRDO is hampering its ability to get projects moving and remains a source of inefficiency and confusion.
"Government policies towards private sector participation in defence industry prevent the emergence of a vibrant alternative to state run enterprises," Phillips said.
"As a result, the Indian military is beholden to the government-run DRDO whose performance is a matter of debate and controversy. So although the military has large autonomy, it is nonetheless reliant on another organisation to execute its plans in the procurement area.
"In 2006, India's comptroller and auditor general, V N Kaul, said that 'Defence R&D is an area where accountability often takes shelter under the policy of self reliance, and indigenisation becomes a reason for delay...accountability of domestic R&D organisations needs to be re-emphasised to enable better assessment of return from investment. Sensitising of the defence services to the role of public audit is essential.'"

F-INSAS weapon development

Discovering the company or organisation that has been tasked or will be tasked with developing the F-INSAS programme's new weapons throws up roadblocks of its own, especially with new developments in 2011. In September last year, it was reported that the Ordnance Factory Board's Rifle Factory Ishapore (RFI) had developed a new rifle that would be going into production for F-INSAS in January 2012.
Rumours suggested the rifle was modular and incorporated advanced components, possibly including a computer chip. However, no subsequent announcement has been made concerning this rifle or RFI's claims of its imminent production.
An announcement towards the end of 2011 seems to cast further doubt on the reported RFI rifle development, and indeed on whether the Indian Army's next-gen rifle will be developed in India at all.
The Times of India and other Indian sources reported at the beginning of December 2011 that the Indian Government has put out global tenders for F-INSAS assault rifles and CQB carbines.
The tender for a new carbine also conflicts confusingly with reports from May 2011 that DRDO had developed an Indian-made carbine called the Milap. This begs the question: if the Milap was not developed for F-INSAS, what was it developed for?
In the case of the F-INSAS rifle, it is possible that the Indian Government will procure a large quantity of foreign-made advanced rifles (The Times of India estimated that the initial order would be for 66,000 rifles) along with a license for the Ordnance Factory Board to manufacture further models.
But why is media speculation like this even necessary when official government reports should be providing reliable information? Phillips says that a fear of hostile media attention provides a possible explanation to government secrecy.
"Since the Bofors scandal and especially after the Tehelka sting operation, weapons procurement by the armed forces has attracted considerable media and political attention," he said.
"Increasing numbers of corruption investigations have paralysed decision-making as officials became increasingly fearful of getting embroiled in investigations and possible litigation. This could explain the lack of official information available. Corruption allegations and media attention in this vein could also explain why there is conflicting information about projects."
Until the private sector or the Indian Government clarifies the details of any tenders or deals, observers around the world are left to simply speculate on the status of F-INSAS. The project could be floundering or on the verge of flourishing, but without more reliable and official information, it's impossible to know for sure.

Future infantry: unravelling the Indian Army's F-INSAS programme - Army Technology

 

[Water Car Engineer]

We got a look at some of the F-INSAS stuff TATA was working on. Like BLCV, etc...

Various scopes from TATA

I F'n love TATA.

 

[punjabimunda]

are these rajak guns made by tata

 

[Roybot]

are these rajak guns made by tata

Not guns, the scopes I think. Guns are just dummies.

 

[Killswitch]

The need for infantry re-equipping was made obvious during Kargil in 1999 (13 years ago).

Since then only the special forces, paras, and Ghataks have been re-equipped. the pace of F INSAS is pathetic. At least 2 divisions should have been fully equipped by now.

Its nice to see pictures. It would be a hell of allot better to see the troops finally get some equipment that gives them capabilites that many other armies have enjoyed for decades now.

 

[Swati Shukla]

.........!

 

[Swati Shukla]

The poster behind MSMC is all we got....

This new rifle is called MCIAR something like Multi Carbine **** assault rifle.

It is the rifle for F-INSAS and it's first prototype will be out by May this year...

 

[The Great One]

This new rifle is called MCIAR something like Multi Banner **** assault rifle.

It is the rifle for F-INSAS and it's first prototype will be out by May this year...

This rifle doesn't inspire much confidence. Esp. not if this will be the main weapon of our Infantry.
Actually none of them do. Wonder why it was named F[future]-INSAS. Nothing seems futuristic about anything. All of it is present in the armed forces of some countries or even has been phased out by some.
And that gun seems nothing but a half decent copy of a Uzi SMG.

 

[Abingdonboy]

This rifle doesn't inspire much confidence. Esp. not if this will be the main weapon of our Infantry.
Actually none of them do. Wonder why it was named F[future]-INSAS. Nothing seems futuristic about anything. All of it is present in the armed forces of some countries or even has been phased out by some.
And that gun seems nothing but a half decent copy of a Uzi SMG.

Mate no offence, but you are showing your ignorance. Whilst I can't comment on the rifle for the F-INSAS, the entire project is ambitious but incredibly futuristic, most nations on earth will find it hard to compete with the tech this project will deliver. Do some research see for yourself.

 

[Kinetic]

This rifle doesn't inspire much confidence. Esp. not if this will be the main weapon of our Infantry.
Actually none of them do. Wonder why it was named F[future]-INSAS. Nothing seems futuristic about anything. All of it is present in the armed forces of some countries or even has been phased out by some.
And that gun seems nothing but a half decent copy of a Uzi SMG.

If ignorance and foolishness come together no one can beat it. lol Name one system on F-INSAS which has been phased out by other countries, if you really know something about F-INSAS? Name a country which fully implemented a system like FINSAS?

 

[Zoro]

This rifle doesn't inspire much confidence. Esp. not if this will be the main weapon of our Infantry.
Actually none of them do. Wonder why it was named F[future]-INSAS. Nothing seems futuristic about anything. All of it is present in the armed forces of some countries or even has been phased out by some.
And that gun seems nothing but a half decent copy of a Uzi SMG.

I still think that you are speaking about MSMC.People here are speaking about the rifle in the back ground.

 

[angeldemon_007]

uNTILL I SEE THE NEW ASSAULT RIFLE I WOULD THINK THE NEWS WHICH STATED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS NEW RIFLE IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY SILLY MISTAKE BY OUR NEWS AGENCIES AND THEY GOT CONFUSED WITH MSMC

 

[Swati Shukla]

Dunno if It's Been Posted Before or Not! :p
India's F-INSAS update: Survivability

As we await the outcome of the first phase of India’s Futuristic Soldier As a System (F-INSAS) programme, in the first of a series of articles Defence IQ casts an eye over the new features set to revolutionize Indian infantry. First up: Survivability.
This is the ‘don’t be penetrated’ layer of the survivability onion. Other areas of the F-INSAS programme incorporate the ‘don’t be targeted’ and ‘don’t be hit’ sections, but when these two barriers are broken down the survivability aspect of a soldier’s kit becomes his first line of defence.
As with all survivability solutions, be they for man-worn equipment or military vehicles, the challenge in ensuring the maximum level of protection is achieved without compromising on weight and cost. Perhaps this trade-off is no more apparent than for the ‘body armour and individual equipment’ component of India’s F-INSAS soldier modernisation programme.
Under F-INSAS, the Indian government is seeking a tactical vest that will protect the legs, groin, neck and collar from ballistic projectiles. The exact level of protection required has not been specified but following most Indian requirements to date the vest will likely be at least covered under NIJ Level IIIA, which will protect the soldier from a 0.44 magnum round. The helmet will only need to be resistant to 9mm rounds, so the cost:weight:performance ratio here will be far less problematic than for the vest.
According to John Hegle, Senior Tech Director for the Assured Mobility Branch of the U.S. Army’s Manoeuvre Support Centre of Excellence, the optimal soldier assault load is equal to 30% of their body weight and the optimal marching load is 45%. With over half of U.S. Army soldiers suffering from long-term musculoskeletal injuries due to overloading, with a significant portion of that weight laying in the body armour, the Indian government must develop innovative survivability solutions that retain high ballistic performance at a significantly lower areal density than those currently on the market.
However, when you consider all the other capabilities the soldier of the future will need to have on his person – such as having solar panels to charge electrical equipment, the ability to resist the impact of a CBRN attack and storage for oxygen supplies – providing an adequate armour solution at an acceptable weight becomes difficult.

Armouring Up

The F-INSAS programme is calling for a ceramic armour solution but increasingly the industry is having to develop new materials to combat the weight problem. Ceramic is around half the mass of steel, but what the military really needs now is something that’s at least half that again.
Although still many years in the lab, there are a number of R&D projects taking place that are seeking to achieve this weight saving. For example, scientists in America are currently looking into the mechanical properties of the mantis shrimps ‘fist’, which can destroy exoskeletons and resist over 50,000 high impact blows during the shrimp’s lifespan. It is thought the complex structure of the shrimp’s fist could reveal vital clues to improving the impact resistance of manmade materials, including ballistic fabrics for body armour. David Kisailus, assistant professor at the University of California’s Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering, said that his aim with the research is to reduce the weight of body armour to a third of its current weight.
It is possible that the ballistic material used for the vest would ideally not only protect the soldier from bullets and shrapnel, but also disperse the impact of a gunshot or blast and then harness and transfer that energy for its own internal energy system. A number of these ‘smart’ materials, or e-textiles, are currently in development with militaries around the world including the British and U.S. Armies.
But with clothing it is not just ballistic integrity that needs to be considered for the soldier of the future, it is energy output, communications systems and CBRN protection too. In terms of the latter, the consideration of chemical warfare, though uncommon and not frequently prioritised by international defence ministries, is felt by some, including British Lt Gen (Rtd) Sir John Kiszely, to be at most risk of becoming the “hidden threat” given the increasing development of the IED and terrorism.
According to reports the jacket must also be “waterproof yet breathable” and is likely to incorporate mosquito repellent fabric considering the regional environment. In a world of mines, mortars and bullets, it is important to remember that the mosquito continues to kill hundreds of thousands per year.
As such, integrated medical sensors are being integrated into the soldier’s clothing to deal with all possible health hazards. These in-built real-time monitors will consist of a diagnostic suite enabled to measure vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, stress levels and even physical impact, essentially allowing medics and doctors to know immediately where injuries are located and what needs to be done to stabilise the troop. There is also a notion of lacing the fabric on uniforms with blood-clotting fibres, which in could in theory be tied in with the “onboard” sensors.
The medical sensor suite is likely to rank as one of the most costly features of the F-INSAS package and may require capability re-tailoring to meet the needs of both budget and practicality.
Some reports from the earliest released RFIs on the subject pointed to ARDE exploration of counter-IED boots, which would enhance the chances of lower limb protection in the event of a soldier stepping on a landmine. How effective such technology can be in live theatre remains either a mystery or guarded secret, but it is known that the most damaging of non-lethal IED injuries (i.e. those requiring amputation) result from impact to the heel. F-INSAS boots may answer this by adding heightened absorption material to the sole, but whether this lends itself too much to an increase of weight, or indeed interferes with the aforementioned boot-based power cell, may cause decision makers to opt instead for a mobility approach over one of bulky protection.


India's F-INSAS update: Survivability by Defence IQ Press

 

[Abingdonboy]

F-INSAS upade IV: Sustainability

Power on the Go
Given that Indian infantry equipment is transitioning from being a fairly rudimentary consideration to a highly advanced mechanised system, there comes with it the same problem of sustaining power in the battlefield that troubles vehicles, aircraft and all other electronic tools of the warfighter.
F-INSAS troops will need to carry power packs to ensure their internal cooling systems, life monitoring sensors and communications are not rendered redundant or hinder the time and effort of the soldier. Such a thing can only exist if the power lasts for extended periods and is easily rechargeable, as any alternative would involve carrying a heavier load and potentially endangering the soldier if caught on a prolonged mission.
This requirement for sustainability could involve several different sources of power in one. Chief of these appears to be a focus on solar energy, harnessed by a series of photovoltaic panels on both the soldier’s clothing and on particular pieces of kit, including the tablet computer, which will presumably eat most of its energy in video display and data exchange with the network.
The other key avenue is kinetic. According to Surendra Kumar, former director of India’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), “the weapons system will function on light-weight batteries that can be easily charged. Sensors fixed in the boots will be used to charge the batteries,” in a development that would certainly be a huge step forward for both soldier system integration and sustainability.
Many of the RFIs issued for the weapons and integrated weapon systems themselves include a suggested need for individual components to be powered with sustainable batteries as well as having backup batteries that meet strict weight and size limits. In addition, new call-outs for information on infantry-deployed mini UAVs suggests that the future soldier will be required to carry
The alternative to spreading individual power source panels across the soldier system is to centralize all power to one pack, carried in the soldier’s backpack. Consolidation of power is making headway in the realm of small arms in particular, with India perhaps looking at an integrated power rail for its new rifles, removing the immediate need for separate cells and simply plugs in as part of the magazine or buttstock.
Allies and Obstacles
The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) believes that the increased need for power is being driven by the commercial market and could eventually help the British soldier system deliver 400-600wh/kg at a time through newly developed lithium sulphur batteries. DSTL is also experimenting with even more efficient methanol-based options, achieving levels of 649wh/kg.
India does appear to be taking a leaf from the pages of the US infantry modernisation programme when it comes to sustainable energy and the efforts being made by several private companies in the realm of boot-based biomechanical energy.
Prototypes that have emerged feature an exostructure hinged to the rear of the heel and able to recharge AA batteries at a general walking pace of 3mph through the use of piezoelectric crystals rather than an electromechanical generator. However, these early designs are largely encumbering and heavy, while doubts remain whether regenerative power at the levels claimed by manufacturers can be sustained without constant or excessive walking, suggesting instead that stated optimal wattage can be misleading when applied to a soldier’s practical routine.
Some infantry have argued that current “sustainable” battery packs are not a viable alternative to simply picking up some spare light-weight batteries at an outpost. This is however a dangerous train of thought, particularly as it has been shown that discarding batteries in the battlefield can be a serious hazard; for instance, providing insurgents with the means to build and charge makeshift IEDs, as discovered in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Australian soldiers are expecting to be outfitted soon with ‘Sliver’ solar cell technology developed by the Australian National University (ANU) as part of a $2.3 million defence contract. These take the form of remarkably thin sheets that can be moulded around the soldier’s uniform and be rolled up and stored if needed.
In much the same way as boot-powered options, solar energy has a more obvious design flaw preventing it from being a sole source of power. Jungle or night combat, for example, would render the cells useless unless the power is dispersed and stored, requiring definite need for the solider to carry at least one power pack with enough energy conserved to last for sustained operations and emergencies.
The solution to overall power for the Indian infantry therefore currently lies in use of a single body-worn system harvesting a collection of small power sources, including a mix of solar, kinetic and traditional battery energy, with renewed emphasis being placed on bases and vehicles to supply outlets for manual recharging wherever needed.
Militaries worldwide are also anticipating further commercial development and innovation into portable renewable power given the dramatic increase in mobile phones, music devices, tablet computers and other personal equipment.

F-INSAS update V: Communications and situational awareness

Existing Kit
Back in 2007, the Indian Army signed an agreement to be supplied with Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) standard secure radio systems, manufactured in partnership with Finmeccanica and the indigenous Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL).
BEL has also had a hand in India’s Army Radio Engineered Network (AREN) tactical area communications system that has been supplying ground forces with a secure capability since the early 1990s. This has involved the provision of a truck-mounted shelterised trunk exchange that allows up to 192 digitised voice, 256 teleprinter and 32 data channels, but can no longer cope with the huge growth in demand for high-grade information.
AREN is to be replaced with the Tactical Communication System (TCS), while the Army’s Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) is being ousted by the Army Wide Area Network (AWAN)., connecting all services and installations within India.
Modernising the System
A large-scale plan to include the TCS programme into F-INSAS should see the development of a digital network connecting soldiers in the battlefield to command posts anywhere in the world. As AWAN seeks to integrate communication between all Indian services, the potential scope to build in interoperable allied partner networks is also being studied.
TCS will consist of “trunk nodes such as the key bandwidth carrier connection points, terminating at access nodes for Brigade-level communications”. This will then extend to command posts at Company level.
In 2010, it was reported that TCS would cost around £1.3billion, with India consulting with major IT firms to develop not only a system that incorporates mobile technology and equipment sensors, but one that is secure enough to protect highly sensitive data.
At that time, the government was looking to stoke competition between indigenous companies – including L&T, HCL Infosystems, Tata Power's Strategic Electronics Division, Wipro Technologies and Rolta India – with the winning contractor providing up to 80 per cent of the manufacturing within India and footing 80 per cent of the development bill.
Aiding TCS development is India’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), which has launched “preliminary R&D”. Recent CAIR communication products have included Wireless Message Transfer Unit (WMTU) that enables transmission of IP packets over wired and wireless media using Mil Std 188-220 A protocol, and Programmable Communication Interface Unit (PCIU) that provides interconnectivity between a formation HQ LAN and a battlefield-wide WAN. The latter provides facilities for interfacing to Fibre optic modems, HDSL modems and Synchronous/Asynchronous modems.
Seeing the Big Picture
Palmtop devices are likely to be rolled out with the new networking measures, offering GPS navigation and friendly force tracking. Some reports indicate that this technology is also being considered as a wrist mounted version so as not to encumber the troops and to minimize the risk of misplacing the device.
Aside to this, the fusion of the new technology with an innovative helmet-mounted display (HMD) will also presumably improve communications, offering direct data and voice to the soldier on the battlefield. Soldiers may be able to look towards a mountain range, for example, and be able to automatically feed their point of view instantly by video to another unit, which can in turn assess for anomalies or targets, and rapidly communicate this information back to the tactical unit in order for the soldier to make an active decision.
The HMD will not only include thermal, chemical and biological sensors, and night vision, but will offer the wearer the equivalent perspective of two 17-inch display screens.
In addition, a 2012 RFI was released to fill a gap in fibrescope technology, issued under the observance of several directorates including the Directorate General of Infantry. Once a special operations technology, the fibrescope is essentially an optical wire that can be inserted through 10mm gaps in doors and other obstacles, relaying the image on the other side without detection. The scope is intended to be INFRARED capable, capturing and recording up to 10 hours of footage or up to 1000 black and white photos, which can be simply uploaded to a computer via a USB connection.
Learning from Allies
India may well be looking at the interesting advancements in the US Army where the Signal Corps is developing its Micro-Cyber programme in an effort to deliver cheaper, lighter and more easily deployable communications devices, much of which is being based on COTS based SMART technology, such as tablet PCs.
The US is also integrating communication networks into a single network, which should, according to the Chief Information Office, reduce the risk to data leaks by establishing a much smaller digital footprint.
Considering the growing volume and rate of data needed in the field, all militaries of the future will have greater requirements than we are seeing today, and virtualisation is being factored in. In other words, while soldiers will have standard data packages on their personal equipment, such as maps and GPS, they will have access to the majority of information on a cloud server.
Cybernetics is an area still in its infancy, but France’s FÉLIN system provides computerised audio conferences while on the battlefield, reducing the limitations of single network radio. The long-term future may well see efforts to allow voice command of remote units.

F-INSAS Update Part: Lethality

In August 2011, the MoD released a statement in response to a public query, admitting that INSAS (Indian small arms system), the Army’s standard assault rifle, was prone to operational failings and had been under deep consideration since 2009 to be replaced with urgency.
The release reported on a rising accident and defect record for the rifle over the past three years, from 68 incidents in 2009, 69 in 2010, and 41 at the time of writing, with 9 personnel suffering minor injuries in total.
While some of the accidents have been blamed on improper handling, other issues have been linked to “improper heat treatment and material” at the manufacturing phase.
Prior to 2003, a serious defect in the rifle’s mechanisms had been occasionally causing oil to spray directly into the eyes of the user and required immediate modification, alongside other concerns over ammunition and storage.
When initial calls for the overhaul of INSAS emerged two year ago, some senior officers criticised the decision to issue a global tender for its replacement, claiming that modifications had already transformed it into a “good weapon”.
However, there have also been criticisms of the rifle’s apparent lack of stopping power, with one reported defence of the system attempting to explain instant lethality as a less preferable option to serious injury. In this scenario, it was theorised that more troops are forced to leave the battlefield in their efforts to evacuate the injured.
On top of this, use of the weapon during the 1999 Kargil conflict revealed other early-phase manufacturing flaws, such as the polymer magazines cracking and jamming in cold weather, and accounts of the three-round burst function not working. Reportedly, the rifle was so unreliable that the Army imported 100,000 AK-47s to cope under high altitude conditions.
Details of the rifle’s record may come as a frustration to the Royal Army of Oman, who confirmed orders for the INSAS last year as part of the India-Oman 2003 defence agreement. The exact number of weapons on order has not been revealed, but Bhutan and Nepal both use the weapon, the latter holding 23,000 in its stocks.
So, What’s New?
Failings of the INSAS weapons will be remedied within the Futuristic Indian Soldier as a System (F-INSAS) programme, and given its status as the ‘first objective’ of the entire modernisation effort, will begin to see real progress in 2012.
The aim is to acquire modular, multi-calibre weapons, consisting of a rifle able to fire 5.56mm, 7.62mm and 6.8mm rounds, with potential for an Underbarrel Grenade Launcher (UGBL).
It had been thought by some analysts that the Indian Government’s reluctance to offer private tender and instead rely on its own DRDO had slowed the process for modernisation considerably, and fears of losing local industry opportunities have arguably hampered innovative competition.
(Download the full report here)
There has been conflicting opinion since the end of 2011 on whether the indigenous approach will still be undertaken, as it had been reported in India’s national press that the government had issued global tenders for its F-INSAS rifles and close-quarter battle (CQB) carbines, while previous reports had already suggested that the DRDO had developed a new carbine called ‘Milap’ set to begin field trials and presumably intended for Indian infantry.
That which is known for certain is what India believes its rifles should exhibit as ‘future weaponry’ given the publically accessible Request For Information documents released in the past few years.
Among these were the hopes to entice bidders to developing a multipurpose and rugged general purpose machine gun for Indian Special Forces, as well as a rifle with the capability to shoot around corners. Defence IQ confirmed in an interview with Amos Golan, the inventor of the Israeli CornerShot rifle, that the company is indeed providing this capability to Indian Forces and holds the international patent on the core concept. CornerShot has already been supplied to India’s National Security Guard.
Both the new 7.62mm and assault rifle are planned to include thermal imaging and digital video relay, with the assault rifle also exhibiting a Passive Night Sight (PNS). Desired operational temperatures sit between -10C to +45C, while every new weapon is expected to be lighter than previous versions, and with longer range.
It has been estimated that each advanced INSAS rifle will cost approximately 50,000 INR (£570 – £640) per unit.
Beyond standard soldier rifles, a new RFI has been released for development of a Sniper Rifle under the F-INSAS designation, but within its general specifications does not reveal much in the way of ‘special’ advancements.
In further intriguing developments, India’s infantry and weapons directorates have issued far more specific call outs for information on recoverable troop-launched Mini UAVs, for use in “real-time surveillance and reconnaissance, detection of enemy movement, target detection, recognition, identification and acquisition, and Post Strike Damage Assessment (PSDA)”.
Learning from Allies
While most nations with the scope to undertake a weapons modernisation programme will be looking to enhance the obvious attributes – lighter load, increased range, higher stopper power, et cetera – the most interesting developments being looked into by other powers are in evolving infantry small arms into multi-capable systems.
Having been working with Israel on small arms R&D, it is thought that India may piece together lessons from the Israel Weapons Industries (IWI) development of the Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle, which underwent three years of testing with the IDF before its contract agreement in 2003, and was designed to be an “organic” and lightweight extension of the warfighter. The weapon is currently in the stocks of India’s Special Forces.
The method of developing the Tavor was to ensure that it can adapt with time to the changing requirements of combat and, as well as being compact and mobile, also accommodates user-friendly features such as a sight that does not require the shooter to close their eyes, and the capacity to integrate with a variety of advanced accessories. Crucially, it s interchangeable for both right- and left-handed users, overcoming a traditional shortfall of many weapons. Also worth noting is that the Tavor can accommodate a grenade launcher kit, which Indian programme developers wish to include on its own upgrades.
The US has seen several contenders in recent years to succeed its current infantry and special forces weaponry, including ongoing efforts to replace the M249 light machine gun and the M4 Carbine through open competition.
American developments, however, have focused on enhancing usability – such as reduced cleaning and interval stoppage times – rather than striving for revolutionary advancements into digitization or guided munitions.
Meanwhile, Russia – which has benefited from India being its second largest market for defence equipment – is currently planning “deep modernisation” of the iconic and hugely influential Kalashnikov, and will include an optical sight and a flashlight.

Mobility update on India's soldier modernisation programme

This article focuses on mobility.
One of the chief aims of F-INSAS is of course to lighten the load for the soldier in battle, which will subsequently enhance survival rates and operational effectiveness. Developers are working on retaining ballistic protection through a tactical vest that includes cover to the legs, groin, neck and collar, but does not chafe in hot and uncomfortable conditions nor impede the soldier’s movement.
Developers have been under pressure to reconcile a lighter load with the ‘soldier as a system’ concept, including the need to weave cabling and battery packs into clothing. Specifically, India’s intention of providing Palmtop computers, fire proof undergarments, health monitoring sensors, and integrated respirators and sensors for chemical protection will all add to the ‘on board’ hardware requirements.
Looking at the positives, an advance in new ‘micro’ technology, such as smaller communication devices and tablet PCs, should counter this in the long run, provided that systems remain flexible enough to make fast upgrades after the programme is finally rolled out into the battlefield.
The Indian soldier’s helmet will be made of a lighter-weight composite material so that it balances out the additions of the added, visor, camera and internal communication system, but still protects from 9mm carbine rounds and shrapnel.
It is possible that armoured clothing could include a shear-thickening capability that not only disperses the impact of a gunshot or blast, but could potentially harness and transfer that energy for its own internal energy system.
Simpler modifications are also being implemented to standard issue clothing to make the soldier more manoeuvrable, such as “modular” gloves that can be adapted for any type of weather and enable easy handling of a weapon.
Back at the Ranch
When it comes to survivability, most major militaries are anticipating a continued rise in urban and irregular warfare, which in turn is calling for a rising prioritisation for mobility over general protection.
Exo-skeletal suits, a popular concept currently being evaluated by R&D teams worldwide are not believed to be an aspect of F-INSAS. Such suits – or ‘Lower Body Units’ (LBUs) – are intended to enhance a soldier’s strength by providing a form-fitting machinized frame that augments the muscle power of the wearer.
Integration of solar panel and nanotechnology systems to lighten the load has already been explored by British Armed Forces in tests to convert kinetic, solar and thermal energy into electricity, but admit that thermoelectric (TE) solutions could still be 5-10 years from incorporation into clothing, and longer still from seeing the battlefield. However, key to the planning phase of TE solutions is the concept of “building in redundancy” so that lightweight clothing, which is likely to tear, will simply see its electricity re-routed rather than severed.
The US Future Force Warrior programme has entertained secondary applicable shear-thickening solutions to armour in order to enhance capability without adding to the load. One product looks to provide a spray-on option that stiffens on impact with the round in enough time to disperse the force, but testing and development remains ongoing, as it does with related ceramic and ferrofluid smart materials.

Military Articles & Defence Articles | Defence Information & Military Analysis

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

@ Abingdonboy

I am tired of reading these articles..Dude,go and get a video or a pic of F-INSAS like you got the Marcos video out of nowhere.