63 Protecting and Securing Our Nation Germany’s Networked Soldiers Gain a Collaborative Edge with Shared Maps The latest German tanks and troop transporters bristle with cameras and laser range finders that feed displays so the whole crew can see 360-degree views and measurements. Several onboard advancements include smoke launchers, drones to extend perspectives, and a fully digital architecture that allows the crew to instantly swap who controls each sensor and weapon system. When these vehicles are in motion, the top hatch is locked down blocking the turret, so a crew member can’t pop their head outside the vehicle to look around. Instead, they rely on sensors and the eyes and ears of soldiers around them for wider situational awareness while in operation. The German military has been hard at work alongside the vehicle manufacturer and system integrator Rheinmetall to modernize the technology soldiers take into battle. A system of systems approach integrates the many warfighting systems for tanks, combat, troop support, battle management and more. A shared map-based operational view of the battlefield aids collaborative combat. Rheinmetall’s new battle management system displays relevant tactical information on a shared map for use in navigation, operational planning, combat, and with higher echelon systems. It also integrates and connects with other entities on the battlefield to support a team of team’s approach. “They use digital maps for all the things paper maps were used for before, but now anyone can sketch on the map on their tablet computer and instantly share what they want to do,” said a former soldier and system integrator at Rheinmetall. “One of the big differences is that it’s much quieter on the radio, and there’s less confusion about where the enemy is, where my own forces are, and what we all want to do.” Learning Lessons from Combat System integrators like Rheinmetall pull together software and hardware components to create next-generation networked soldier systems of systems. Instead of using a past proprietary mapping platform for this latest project, the Rheinmetall team chose the GIS tools from Esri, including ArcGIS Runtime, to build 2D and 3D mapping applications that work online and offline. Rheinmettal delivers integrated technologies to the German military that enhance soldier safety through enhanced situational awareness and collaboration.
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