Tel Aviv: In every war in the world there are casualties caused by friendly fire. This problem is known but so far not solved even partially. The problem has also been demonstrated in the ongoing war when Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) infantry soldiers were hit by other units due to wrong identification.
An Israeli developed system may offer a solution but so far there are no clients that want to use it. The Green Shield system developed by Israeli company Safe Shoot uses sensor fusion, and measures the position and the weapon direction of all devices in the network. A dynamic wireless network enables the exchange of data between all Green Shield devices.
The company says that if a high-risk issue is detected, the system will automatically alert the Green Shield user even if there is no line of sight, day or night and in all weather conditions.
“The wide range of sensors used by our system ensures the highest possible safety standards,” said Brig General (Res) Amir Nadan, Safe Shoot’s CEO, who has held high ranking positions in the IDF’s Paratroopers Brigade and the Northern Command.
The CEO added that using the system reduces the load on headquarters created by the need to coordinate between forces, and therefore release the HQ to other more needed tasks. He explained that each participant in a shooting activity is equipped with a Green Shield device. Upon taking aim, the system immediately and automatically alerts shooters when there is a high risk of friendly fire, thus preventing a potentially disastrous outcome.
“By eliminating the need to hesitate when making shoot/don’t shoot decisions, the Safe Shoot solution that can bring the final decision directly to the shooter, offers greater freedom of operation, continuity of operations and operational effectiveness, while preventing friendly fire,” Amir Nadan added.
The system measures the relative position and altitude of the user and the direction of the barrel or the aim point of the weapon system. Using a dynamic, meshed network the information is exchanged between nearby units and when a high risk of a friendly fire accident is detected, the system will automatically and autonomously alert the shooters even when there is no line of sight and under all weather conditions, day or night.
“The wide range of sensors used by our system ensures the highest safety standards,” the company’s CEO said.
According to the Israeli company, the Safe Shoot system is a light weight, modular, self-contained, battery operated system. The device can be operated during daylight, darkness, adverse weather and dirty battlefield condition. The system has two parts: a weapon mounted part that weight 50 grams and a second part that is carried inside the user combat vest that weight 200 gram. The weapon mounted part can be mounted on the weapon without having to remove the Rifle Combat Optic or Close Combat Optic. This, allows using the same aiming tactics, techniques and procedures. It provides a wireless target link between the users. The infantry on infantry range of operation (without mesh) is 900m. The tank on infantry range of operation (without mesh) is 4500m.
The system as a whole can operate in stand-alone mode and can easily be integrated with other systems like aiming devices, sights, observation or Command and Control existing or futuristic solutions. This flexibility, the company says allows to share, deliver or collect data of position, direction or weapon status from other individuals, force or weapon.
“In general, knowing where your troops are, significantly improves the overall situational awareness, command flexibility and effectiveness of the whole performance,” Nadan said.
The Green Shield system provides a solution for misidentification of friendly forces and improves inter-force coordination between all forces including aviation and ground forces. The system has different configurations applicable to tanks, attack helicopters, UAVs, aircraft, infantry and ground support forces. It allows rapid manoeuvring with close fire support, continuity of combat operations and improves tactical situation awareness in different terrains even in urbanised and complex terrains.
Contrary to other command and control systems currently available, the Safe Shoot military system automatically and autonomously alerts the shooters when there is a high risk of friendly fire, without the need of direct headquarters control or even network link bringing back confidence and trust at all levels. The system can be expanded into after-action-review and reporting (AAR).
The vest mounted part should be carried by every soldier and the weapon mounted part should be mounted on every light weight weapon. Similar device should be connected to heavy platforms such as tank and aerial systems, like UAV and helicopters. The capability should be used in all weather and light conditions and the recommended number is one per person or weapon system.
According to the company’s CEO, the system improves the combat capability in any multi-force operation that combines infantry, support fire, combat tanks, UAV and other systems. “Once the Infantry who are practically the most venerable elements will be identified, all the other units, weapon and forces will have to consider, and refer to their position in order to manoeuvre faster and safer.”
The system can be interfaced to command and controls system and host weapon system as well. The interface can be a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter UART or 2.4 Ghz Blue Tooth Low Energy (BLE).
The company’s CEO Amir Nadan added that the Green Shield can be used on ground platforms like tanks and APCs and on aerial systems like helicopters and UAVs. “Each transmitter can function as a relay to overcome communication problems due to abstracting object in the battle area,” he said.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
