Communication Platform to Enhance Infantry Situational Awareness

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

A new communication platform, called the Integrated Tactical Network, revolutionizes the way tactical leaders are able to communicate, improving the lethality of small units, while at the same time increasing safety and situational awareness for soldiers. The system allows leaders at the squad level and higher to rapidly share information across the military network.

The benefits for soldiers in the field are extensive. With the platform, leaders are able to track the positions of the units all around the battlefield, as well as share text messages, voice communication and even pictures.

The new system uses equipment that soldiers are already very familiar with, including the multi-band inter/intra team radio to project data, and a modern smartphone for the actual interface.

“When the platform is fully implemented, paratroopers will have an additional quality radio and access to the same common operating picture as their leadership,” said Army Capt. Michael Belina from 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment. “The common soldier will have a better idea of what’s going on around him, and it will basically cut out some of the talk that is required to build that picture. It will be more immediate.”

Another benefit of the new equipment is that it simplifies the communications package for the soldier on the ground, according to defense.gov.

The system also empowers junior leaders to know their mission and react quickly as the situation on the ground changes.