NETWORKED FOR MOTORISED INFANTRY OPERATIONS

1283867865379 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/images/default-source/_migrated_english/1283867865379.jpg?sfvrsn=4a7f8e96_2 https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/NETWORKED-FOR-MOTORISED-INFANTRY-OPERATIONS
https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/NETWORKED-FOR-MOTORISED-INFANTRY-OPERATIONS
NETWORKED FOR MOTORISED INFANTRY OPERATIONS
10 Nov 2009 | TECHNOLOGY

NETWORKED FOR MOTORISED INFANTRY OPERATIONS

STORY // Ong Hong Tat
PHOTO // Timothy Sim & Desmond Wong

With the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV), Battlefield Management System (BMS) and Advanced Combat Man System (ACMS), the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has become a better networked and motorised force.

The enemy has captured a critical piece of terrain along with a cluster of buildings, and embedded themselves within. Although they had been bombarded with artillery fire earlier, significant pockets of resistance have survived. The remaining forces have taken up positions at critical points.

Without any warning, troop carriers move in and within seconds, infantry soldiers pour out of them.

The troops move with lethal precision. Though silent, they seem to be in constant communication. Systematically, the enemy positions are overrun. Before the enemy has a chance to regroup and recover, they hear the approach of aircraft and tanks. Hit hard by the new support fire elements, the enemy forces are defeated in a matter of minutes.

In a nutshell, this is how the 3rd Generation SAF will defeat enemies at a higher tempo, and with better situational awareness.

The troop carriers are none other than the Terrex ICV. Purpose-built as part of the Army's efforts to motorise its forces, enhance protection, mobility and connectivity, the 24-tonne Terrex ICV is the SAF's latest acquisition.

"In a fast-paced military environment, soldiers have decreased situational awareness, poor intelligence on the enemies' movement and location, among other things. In particular, they are vulnerable to ambushes," explained Colonel Lim Hock Yu, Commander 9th Division and Chief Infantry Officer.

The BMS-enabled Terrex ICV increases the situational awareness of infantry troops by connecting with the ACMS worn by soldiers to provide constant updates on enemy locations. With an up-to-date picture of the operating environment and key battlefield information provided by the BMS, soldiers can call for, and coordinate support from, air and land forces and deliver precision fire.

In addition, the Terrex ICV can hunt for the enemy. Its Weapon Detection System determines the location of enemy fire by computing sound data gathered by an array of microphones on the vehicle. This information is then shared with other friendly forces via the BMS network.

All this translates to SAF soldiers on the ground being connected to the full range of firepower within the SAF's arsenal.

The SAF plans to start training all active infantry and guards battalions to operate from the Terrex ICV from February 2010.

(Click to enlarge)

Suggested Reading
Feature
60 YEARS ON, THEIR COMMITMENT REMAINS STRONG
TECHNOLOGY
10 Nov 2009

The SAF celebrated its 60th anniversary on 1 Jul with a special SAF Day Parade and Combined Rededication Ceremonies across Singapore. 

Cover story
BRINGING THEIR A-GAME IN SAF BEST UNIT COMPETITION
TECHNOLOGY
10 Nov 2009

These units were recognised for their outstanding achievements in this year’s SAF Best Unit Competition. Find out what makes them champions!

Feature
RECOGNISING THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SAF
TECHNOLOGY
10 Nov 2009

These servicemen were among over 1,200 MINDEF and SAF personnel who are being promoted for their good performance and potential – meet COL Fairoz, SWO Zulkarnaen, MAJ Muhammad Iskandar and 1SG Muhd Hidhir.

NDP 2025 SHOW EXPANDS FROM PADANG TO MARINA BAY
TECHNOLOGY
10 Nov 2009

This year’s NDP show will be a musical extravaganza with over 3,000 performers, eight land and water floats, and the largest mobile stage ever used in NDP history!

Feature
PREPARING THE PARADE FOR SAF’S DIAMOND JUBILEE
TECHNOLOGY
10 Nov 2009

SAF Day Parade Commander LTC Shew Narian and Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) ME4 Lee Han Seng share how they and the parade participants have been hard at work to put up the perfect parade come 1 Jul.

Cover story
First air-land-sea display at NDP 2025 Mobile Column
TECHNOLOGY
10 Nov 2009

The NDP Mobile Column makes its highly anticipated return this year not just on land, but also in the air and in the waters of Marina Bay!

SAFVC turns 10, promotes senior volunteers to SV4
TECHNOLOGY
10 Nov 2009

Marking a decade of duty, the SAF Volunteer Corps (SAFVC) celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with a special parade featuring some of its first as well as latest batch of volunteers.

FROM COMMANDO TO NAVAL OFFICER
TECHNOLOGY
10 Nov 2009

A Commando NSF turned Naval Officer, 2LT Arjan Singh made the transition from jungle to sea when he signed up with the Navy.

My Dad and I, marching together for S’pore
TECHNOLOGY
10 Nov 2009

It’s not often you’ll find a father-and-son pair marching together at the National Day Parade (NDP), much less in the same Guard of Honour (GOH) contingent!

Cover story
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NDP 2025 PARADE & CEREMONY
TECHNOLOGY
10 Nov 2009

This year’s NDP Parade & Ceremony segment will feature crowd favourites and a few new surprises!