TRANSFORMING BATTLEFIELD TRAINING - ARMY INTRODUCES NEW BATTLEFIELD INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM
TRANSFORMING BATTLEFIELD TRAINING - ARMY INTRODUCES NEW BATTLEFIELD INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEM
The Army has introduced a new Battlefield Instrumentation (BFI) system to enhance its soldiers’ battlefield training through experiential learning. This marks a significant shift in the way soldiers are trained. This afternoon, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen commissioned the BFI system at Pasir Laba Camp. Dr Ng also interacted with National Servicemen (NSmen) from 609th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment (609 SIR). The battalion was participating in an evaluation exercise using the BFI system.
The BFI system utilises modern laser and information-communication technology to network soldiers, weapon systems and fighting platforms. It also uses the Global Positioning System (GPS), computer simulation and data communication to record details of battlefield engagements between opposing forces. The BFI system can track soldiers’ actions and engagements in a two-sided exercise setting. It can also simulate artillery and close air support to provide added realism during field training and evaluation exercises. The recorded data can be replayed in a post-exercise review to allow soldiers and ground commanders to review their performance and improve their battlecraft.
The system has been fielded in Army training and evaluation exercises since June 2006. It will soon be introduced to all Army training institutes, including the Basic Military Training Centre (BMTC). The BFI system will eventually be integrated with equivalent systems in the Air Force and Navy, thereby providing the 3rd Generation SAF with a sophisticated and realistic integrated training system.
###
The Battlefield Instrumentation (BFI) System is jointly developed by the Singapore Armed Forces and the Defence Science and Technology Agency. It leverages on leading-edge technologies such as the latest laser-based simulation, data communications, Global Positioning System (GPS) and computer simulation technologies to provide a more realistic setting for the training and evaluation of SAF units.
The BFI System is fully portable and can be broken into smaller modules for simultaneous local and overseas training. It can support field exercises involving up to 1,100 soldiers and/or armoured vehicles, over an area of more than 400 sq km.
Tactical Engagement System (TES).
The TES is a key component of the BFI system. Besides simulating direct weapon effects and evaluating the outcome of each engagement, the TES also provides realistic audio and visual feedback to the soldiers. The use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags provides added simulation capabilities to train and evaluate medics and vehicle technicians whose competence in addressing injuries and vehicle damages, respectively, can also be practised and tested. A Universal Player Unit (UPU) is incorporated into the TES to facilitate communication between the soldiers, armoured vehicles and the control centre. It leverages on the GPS to track the locations of the soldiers and vehicles. Through the UPU, the TES receives instructions from the control centre to simulate the effects of area weapons (such as artillery) on troops and vehicles.
BFI Control Centre.
The control centre comprises the BFI Exercise Control (BEC) and After-Action-Review (AAR) facility. The BEC system monitors, controls and updates the exercise data in real-time. All events and soldiers’ locations are displayed on a two-dimensional (2D) map. The BEC system records and monitors the tactical voice communications and simulates artillery and close air support to provide added realism during field training and evaluation exercises. For the AAR, commanders can select either a 2D or three-dimensional (3D) replay of the battlefield scenarios. Recorded voice communications between soldiers can also be replayed during such performance reviews.
Ground Relay Stations (GRS).
Up to 10 GRSs are deployed each time the BFI system is fielded, in order to facilitate and bridge the communication links between soldiers, vehicles and the control centre. The GRS has communications coverage of up to 7 kilometres in the field. The data is subsequently transmitted to the control centre either via satellite or wide area network (WAN) communications.
By harnessing technology to enable instant and objective feedback, the BFI system allows soldiers and commanders to promptly review all the events that occurred. As key points recorded during the exercise are highlighted during the AAR, all participants become more keenly aware of how their actions helped or undermined the outcome of an engagement in a battlefield setting. The BFI system can also be optimised to assess the overall combat proficiency of Army units.
Simulation of Vehicles and Direct-fire Weapon Systems.
Laser detector modules mounted on armoured vehicles allow the BFI system to simulate their vulnerability to anti-armour weapon systems. This allows damage assessments to be made and field repairs by vehicle technicians to be exercised.
The BFI system can help replicate and enhance various battlefield features such as natural and man-made obstacles. Locations of simulated natural and man-made obstacles can be stored in the UPU and activated when required. In addition, artillery fire and aerial attacks can be simulated by radio frequency (RF) transmissions to each player to allow the evaluation of area weapon effects to be simulated.
The Army’s BFI System will eventually be integrated with equivalent systems in the Air Force and Navy.
By Mar 07, the exercise outcome and position data will be transferred to the umpire’s portable personal digital assistant (PDA) in the field via RF transmission. This will allow exercise umpires to provide instant and objective feedback to the soldiers in the field. Umpires’ observations can also be transmitted to the control centre through the portable PDA.
Employment within urban training facilities
The BFI System will be employed in the urban training facility now being built in the SAFTI training area.
Trials are now underway on how wireless technology may be used to develop a lightweight harness for the soldier.