Digital Sharing – IDF Establishes New Software and Information Array 

Digital Sharing – IDF Establishes New Software and Information Array 

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In recent years, the digital and multi-dimensional aspects have become an essential component of IDF’s military concept, and numerous operations involve aerial vehicles, maritime systems, etc., requiring intensive data transfer to soldiers and commanders in the field. The digital aspect has been the leverage of IDF’s multi-year plan, Tnufa.

The new Software and Information Array established today will bridge the gap and produce collaboration among the IDF’s different software and information organizations. The array will provide a more holistic point of view and better effectiveness in both operational and routine activities.

The new array, based on multi-branch partnership, will encompass some 3500 technological service members from all branches and forces – C4I Corps, Military Intelligence Directorate, Navy, Air Force, Ground Force, Ground Forces, IMoD’s Tank Program Administration (MANTAK), etc.

The array encompasses IDF’s software and information manpower – programmers, softawre and information soldier-students, product managers, DevOps experts, ERP appliers, software QA, data scientists, and more.

The array will bring about connectivity and information sharing, manage collaborative instruction, and empower the people who serve in its ranks.

Brig. Gen. Omer Dagan, the commander of the Lotem Unit, is the head of the new array. Lotem is the IDF’s largest software and information unit. It deals with the wide range of network realms (fixed, cellular, and satellite), the cloud realm – mainly in operational and combat support uses, as well as supporting various operational capabilities and HR and logistics management. During the COVID-19 crisis, the unit has made special efforts in developing various solutions, especially the development of the national epidemiological investigation system.

According to Brig. Gen. Dagan, the new Software and Information Array will enable collaboration and a single development environment on the IDF’s operational cloud. The cloud, developed by Lotem, provides a multi-branch developers environment which includes, among others, the Israeli defense industries that develop systems for the IDF.

The main tasks of the new array are:

  • Identification and selection of the best manpower. 
  • Instruction – training will now include not only new technological professions but also advanced training along the service. Leveraging on commercial technologies, the new array will adopt leading online training courses from the civilian realm, with adaptations.
  • The foundation stone of the new array – establishing knowledge sharing communities in order to achieve collaborative work, customized contents for all software and information specialists, e.g. IDF product managers community, IDF team leader community, etc.
  • The conservation of the professional manpower within the IDF ranks and the development of new tools to preserve the exceptional ones.