DIPLOMACY
DEFENCE MINISTER VISITS SWBTA
29 Nov 2006
Say hello to the new Networked Division Command Post!
The new division command post will be connected to its brigade command posts via low cost data network and high-bandwidth wireless communication infrastructure.
New equipment like Intelligent Connect Anywhere (iCONA) and Smart and Composable Operational Picture Environment (SCOPE) will be the key enablers of this new command post concept.
Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, together with Australian Minister for Defence Dr Brendan Nelson, viewed the new command post at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in Queensland, Australia on 29 Nov.
Minister Teo and Dr Nelson visited the almost 4,000-strong Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops taking part in the annual Exercise Wallaby, which will be held from 20 Nov to 12 Dec.
When asked for his views on the new IKC2 capabilities on display, Mr Teo said: "Basically, it is to bring together the intelligence capabilities, the firepower capabilities and the networking capabilities.
"And to make sure that these guys back here, fighting soldiers upfront get to the best positions possible, have the best possible fire support and intelligence that they can have when they go into battle."
He also added: "Hence it means that a mission would be more effective, accomplished faster and obviously prevent losses."
This edition of the exercise marks a significant milestone in the SAF's effort in transforming into the third generation networked fighting force. This is also the first time the command post and the recently introduced Battlefield Management System (BMS) will see action overseas.
During his visit, Minister Teo also witnessed an integrated systems live firing exercise which involved various fighting platforms from the Army and Air Force.
These included the Apache attack helicopters, F-16 fighters, PRIMUS self-propelled howitzers and SPIKE.
The networked system, which allows personnel in the division to have better situational awareness of the battlefield, has enabled closer integration and synchronised delivery of precision fires by the air and land fighting elements.
Said Brigadier-General (BG) Tan Yih San, Land Exercise Director and Commander 3rd Division: "For this particular exercise, we're focused on the area of connectivity, where we allow ground commanders to have the ability to leverage on the different capabilities, such as the air force as well as the joint capabilities that we have in the SAF."
"This will therefore allow them to see further, strike deeper as well as move faster."
Minister Teo also interacted with NSmen from the 427th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (427 SAR), which is the first NS unit to operate the BMS-equipped AFVs.
Commanding Officer (CO) Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) (NS) Wee Kok Seng, felt that there is a need for technology to manage the data out in the field.
He added: "With the BMS, we're better informed and this helps the situational awareness a lot."
SAF training at the SWBTA reflects the excellent defence relationship between Singapore and Australia. Both the SAF and Australian Defence Force have an extensive range of interactions, which include bilateral and multilateral training exercises.
What are iCONA and SCOPE?
iCONA is a communication software that is almost similar to MSN Messenger, and allows the user to send SMS, MMS and instant messages and even make conference calls.
It will come in particularly handy when there is a need to send instructions to the troops in a situation when communications are difficult.
A click on the name of the intended recipient will show a pop-up window, after which users can type and transmit messages as they would in a normal chatroom.
SCOPE, on the other hand, is another new software that allows users to choose their desired forms of visualisation and customise their own situational maps.
There are also functions to indicate to the users any occurrences, like the entry of enemy forces into their territories, and how the users intend to share knowledge with others.
The new division command post will be connected to its brigade command posts via low cost data network and high-bandwidth wireless communication infrastructure.
New equipment like Intelligent Connect Anywhere (iCONA) and Smart and Composable Operational Picture Environment (SCOPE) will be the key enablers of this new command post concept.
Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, together with Australian Minister for Defence Dr Brendan Nelson, viewed the new command post at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) in Queensland, Australia on 29 Nov.
Minister Teo and Dr Nelson visited the almost 4,000-strong Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) troops taking part in the annual Exercise Wallaby, which will be held from 20 Nov to 12 Dec.
When asked for his views on the new IKC2 capabilities on display, Mr Teo said: "Basically, it is to bring together the intelligence capabilities, the firepower capabilities and the networking capabilities.
"And to make sure that these guys back here, fighting soldiers upfront get to the best positions possible, have the best possible fire support and intelligence that they can have when they go into battle."
He also added: "Hence it means that a mission would be more effective, accomplished faster and obviously prevent losses."
This edition of the exercise marks a significant milestone in the SAF's effort in transforming into the third generation networked fighting force. This is also the first time the command post and the recently introduced Battlefield Management System (BMS) will see action overseas.
During his visit, Minister Teo also witnessed an integrated systems live firing exercise which involved various fighting platforms from the Army and Air Force.
These included the Apache attack helicopters, F-16 fighters, PRIMUS self-propelled howitzers and SPIKE.
The networked system, which allows personnel in the division to have better situational awareness of the battlefield, has enabled closer integration and synchronised delivery of precision fires by the air and land fighting elements.
Said Brigadier-General (BG) Tan Yih San, Land Exercise Director and Commander 3rd Division: "For this particular exercise, we're focused on the area of connectivity, where we allow ground commanders to have the ability to leverage on the different capabilities, such as the air force as well as the joint capabilities that we have in the SAF."
"This will therefore allow them to see further, strike deeper as well as move faster."
Minister Teo also interacted with NSmen from the 427th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (427 SAR), which is the first NS unit to operate the BMS-equipped AFVs.
Commanding Officer (CO) Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) (NS) Wee Kok Seng, felt that there is a need for technology to manage the data out in the field.
He added: "With the BMS, we're better informed and this helps the situational awareness a lot."
SAF training at the SWBTA reflects the excellent defence relationship between Singapore and Australia. Both the SAF and Australian Defence Force have an extensive range of interactions, which include bilateral and multilateral training exercises.
What are iCONA and SCOPE?
iCONA is a communication software that is almost similar to MSN Messenger, and allows the user to send SMS, MMS and instant messages and even make conference calls.
It will come in particularly handy when there is a need to send instructions to the troops in a situation when communications are difficult.
A click on the name of the intended recipient will show a pop-up window, after which users can type and transmit messages as they would in a normal chatroom.
SCOPE, on the other hand, is another new software that allows users to choose their desired forms of visualisation and customise their own situational maps.
There are also functions to indicate to the users any occurrences, like the entry of enemy forces into their territories, and how the users intend to share knowledge with others.
Servicemen using iCONA, a communication software that is almost similar to MSN Messenger and allows the user to send SMS, MMS and instant messages and even make conference calls.
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