From Technologies to Markets

Future Soldier
Technologies 2021
Market and Technology
Report

© 2021
GLOSSARY (1/2)
AI: Artificial Intelligence ECCN: Export Control Classification Number
AR: Augmented Reality ECoG: Electrocorticography
ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit EEG: Electroencephalogram
ASP: Average Selling Price EMIB: Embedded Multi-die Interconnect Bridge
BCI: Brain Computer Interface ENVG: Enhanced Night Vision Goggle
C2: Control and Command ENVG-B: ENVG-binocular
C4I: Command, Control, Communications, EW: Electronic Warfare
Computers and Intelligence
fMRI: functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
CBRN: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear FoV: Field of View
Weapons
COTI: Clip-on Thermal Imager FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array
COTS: Commercial, Off-the-Shelf Technology FWS: Family of Weapon Sight
CPU: Central Processing Unit FWS-I: Family of Weapon Sight-Individual
DoD: Department of Defense HAZMAT:Hazardous Materials
DoE: Department of Energy HUDs: Head Up Displays

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GLOSSARY (2/2)
IDIQ: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity OPCW: Organization for the Prohibition of
Chemical Weapons
IMU: Inertial Measurement Unit
IoT: Internet of Things PCC: Protein-Catalyzed Captured
JETS: Joint Effects Targeting System PET: Position Emission Tomography
PIC: Photonic IC
LWIR: Long Wave InfraRed
MEG: Magnetoencephalography PVS: Portable Vision System
MEMS: Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems RF: Radio Frequency
RSPB: Rechargeable Soldier-Portable Battery
ML: Machine Learning
MWIR: Medium Wave InfraRed SA: Situational Awareness
NDAA: National Defense Authorization Act SAM: Strategic Addressable Market
SPB: Soldier-Portable Battery
NIR: Near InfraRed
NIRS: Near InfraRed Spectroscopy SWaP: Size, Weight and Power
NVG: Night Vision Goggle SWIR: Short Wave InfraRed
TCE: Tactical Cyber Equipment
OHMD: Optical Head-Mounted Display
VX: Venomous agent X

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DEFINITIONS
Cold War: a state of political hostility between countries characterized by threats, propaganda, and other measures short of
open warfare. Example: the state of hostility that existed between the Soviet bloc countries and the Western powers from 1945
to 1990.
DARPA: the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is a research and development agency of the United States
Department of Defense responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military.
DoD: the Department of Defense (DoD) is an executive branch department of the United States federal government charged
with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national security and the
United States Armed Forces. It employs 1.3 millions of people (2016, largest employer in the world).
Dual-Use: Dual-use refers to technologies that can be used for both civilian and defense.
ITAR: International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a United States regulatory regime to restrict and control the export of
defense and military related technologies to safeguard U.S. national security and further U.S. foreign policy objectives.
NATO: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military
alliance between 30 European and North American countries. HQ is in Belgium.
Terrorism: the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
Trusted Foundries: The Trusted Foundry Program (also called the trusted suppliers' program) is a United States Department
of Defense program designed to secure the manufacturing infrastructure for information technology vendors providing
hardware to the military.
United States Marine Corps: a branch of the United States armed forces trained for land, sea, and aerial combat, responsible
especially for amphibious operations.The Marine Corps is part of the Department of the Navy.

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ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DETAIL IN MILITARY OPERATIONS

For want of a nail the shoe was lost,

for want of a shoe the horse was lost;
and for want of a horse the rider was lost;
being overtaken and slain by the enemy,
all for want of care about a horse-shoe nail.
Benjamin Franklin, 1758

Today’s horse-shoe nail can be battery, infrared camera or GPS!

Today
Yesterday
Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Glossary 2 Market trends 104
Definitions 4 o Novel Battle Environments – Impact on the Infantry
o Infrared
Table of Contents 6
o Radio Frequency
Scope of the Report 7 o Other Technologies (sensors, batteries, exoskeleton, future
Methodologies & Definitions 8 technologies)

About the Authors 9 Players and Supply Chain 169

o Infrared
Companies Cited in this Report 10
o Radio Frequency
Related Reports 11 o Other Technologies (sensors, batteries)
3-Page Summary 14 o Collaborating with the Army
Executive Summary 18 Technologies Trends 199
Introduction 49 o Roadmaps
o Infrared
Market Forecast 58
o Radio Frequency
o Military Budgets
o Other Technologies (sensors, batteries)
o Infrared
o Radio Frequency o 2050+ Soldier Technologies
o Other Technologies (sensors, batteries) Outlook 266
Defense Environment 81 How to use our data? 271
o Dual-use
o DARPA Approach About Yole Développement 272
o EU/USA/China

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 6

SCOPE OF THE REPORT
This report aims at giving an overview of the trends and market
for future soldier equipment which are semiconductor-based.
Forecasts and technology trends are provided for:
• Infrared
• Wireless communications
• Sensors and new technologies (chemical and bio sensors,
survey meters, new types of sensors, batteries,
augmented reality, exoskeleton, brain interface)

This report also aims at giving an overview of international Your needs are
security, military budgets, how new technologies are developed out of scope of this
generally under the scope of military programs and dual-use. report?
Contact us for a custom study:

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 7

METHODOLOGIES & DEFINITIONS
Yole’s market forecast model is based on the matching of several sources:

Preexisting
information

Market
Volume (in Munits)
ASP (in $)
Revenue (in $M)

Information
Aggregation

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 8

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Biographies & contact information

Alexis DEBRAY
Alexis Debray is a Technology & Market Analyst with the MEMS & Sensors team at Yole Développement, the “More than Moore” market research and
strategy consulting company. Prior to Yole, Alexis spent 17 years in Japan, including two years at the University of Tokyo where he studied MEMS
technologies, and 15 years at Canon Inc. where he was a Research Engineer. While with Canon, he contributed to works on MEMS devices, lingual
prehension, and terahertz imaging devices.Alexis has also authored various scientific publications and patents.
Alexis graduated from ENSICAEN and holds a PhD in Applied Acoustics.
Contact: [email protected]

Eric Mounier
With more than 20 years experience in MEMS, sensors & photonics applications, markets, and technology analyses, Eric provides deep industry insight
into MEMS and photonics’ current and future trends.
He is a daily contributor to the development of MEMS and photonics activities at Yole, with a large collection of market and technology reports as
well as multiple custom consulting projects: business strategy, identification of investment or acquisition targets, due diligence (buy/sell side), market &
technology analysis, cost modelling, technology scouting, etc.
Eric has contributed to more than 250 marketing/technological analyses and 80 reports, helping move the MEMS and Si photonics industry forward.
Thanks to his extensive knowledge of the MEMS, sensors, and photonics-related industries, Eric is often invited to speak at industry conferences
worldwide. Moreover, he has been interviewed and quoted by leading media throughout the world.
Prior to working at Yole, Eric held R&D and Marketing positions at CEA Leti in France. Eric has a Semiconductor Engineering degree and a PhD in
Optoelectronics from the National Polytechnic Institute of Grenoble.
Contact: [email protected]

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COMPANIES CITED IN THIS REPORT

Aerovironment, ATN, BAE, Bharat Electronics, Biofire, BlackBox Biometrics, BTI, Canberra, Carl Zeiss,
CETC, Concern Sozvezdie, Controp, Cosinuss, Cyberdyne, DALI, Device ALab, DRS, EADS, Ekso
Bionics, Elbit Systems, ELNO, ESC BAZ, Exelis, Finmeccanica, FLIR, GST, GWIC, Hanwha, Hensoldt,
Hikvision, Hocoma, Huneed Technologies, I3 System, IR&D, Iray, Kinetek, L3 Harris, Leidos, Leonardo,
Liteye, Lockheed Martin, Lynred, Macom, Magnity, MediTouch, Mikrosens, Mitsubishi, MSA Gallet,
myomo, NEC, Nemesis Robotics, Nexter, Nielsen, NIT, Northrop Grumman, Opgal, Otolith, Ottobock,
Photonis, QinetiQ, Qorvo, Rafael, Raytheon, Raytheon, Rehab Robotics, Renault Trucks Defense,
ReWalk Robotics, REX Bionics, Rheinmetall, Roki, Ruselectronics, Saab Grintek , Safran, Sagem, Sarcos,
SCD, Sensors Unlimited, Sionyx, SPI, SuitX, Teledyne Princeton Instruments, Thales, Thales, Theon
Sensors, Thermoteknix,Vectronix, Zeiss Optronics … and more

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 YOLE GROUP OF COMPANIES RELATED REPORTS
Yole Développement
Thermal Imagers and Status of the MEMS Industry
Detectors 2020 2020

Contact our
Sales Team
for more
information
GaN RF Market: Applications, Wearables for Consumer and
Players, Technology, and Substrates
2020 Medical markets 2020

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 11

 YOLE GROUP OF COMPANIES RELATED REPORTS
System Plus Consulting
MACOM NPA1008 RF Power Qorvo QPF4006 39GHz GaN
Amplifier with GaN-on-Si HEMT MMIC Front End Module

Contact our
Sales Team
for more
information

IRay Technology 12µm and

17µm Thermal Sensors

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 12

 YOLE GROUP OF COMPANIES RELATED REPORTS
Piseo

iRAY T3S Thermal Camera

Contact our
Performance Analysis
Sales Team
for more
information

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 13

3-Page Summary
3-PAGE SUMMARY
After the end of World War II, most countries accepted the idea that a major feature of security policy was the Defense
Industrial Base (DIB). Nations maintained their own defense industries, constantly ready to respond to threats.
The Cold War period offered that kind of certainty. This helped both defense planners and defense companies: clear
priorities, long time horizons and relatively stable programs.
But at the start of the 1990s, the world was beginning to look very different and defense spending fell by about a third in
real terms between 1989 and 1996.
Now, the world has changed again. Regional conflicts are joined by international terrorism as dominant factors in security
planning, and defense spending is being adjusted to focus on more flexible, responsive and mobile force structures with
an increasing focus on logistics and lifecycle support.
Moreover, new types of battlefields (urban areas, smart cities, …) bring new challenges to the infantry requiring improved
situational awareness, lethality and survivability.
On the COVID-19 side, the defense sector is one of the areas with very little impact. Better still, this sector seems to
serve as leverage for public authorities in their policies to support industries (especially those with dual activities
involving civil aeronautics). In fact, several countries (France, Germany, for example) have placed advance orders, while
others (UK) have significantly increased their defense budgets in the short term.
The high level of technology is directly correlated to the survivability of the foot soldier and is centered around 5 topics
with associated technologies:
o C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence): RF communications, AR/VR, wrist-mounted displays,
cryptography, voice communications (microphones), radar,AI
o lethality (weapons and sights): night vision (uncooled infrared), enhanced sighting system, laser rangefinder
o mobility (navigation, size and weight of equipment): GPS
o survivability (clothing, stealth, body armor): clothes reducing VIS/radar/infrared signature, embedded wireless technology, helmet-
mounted AR/VR displays, exoskeleton, radiation/chemical sensors
o sustainability (logistical considerations): batteries (Li-ion, fuel cells)

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3-PAGE SUMMARY
The technologies investigated for foot soldiers have different maturity levels and will follow different paths:
o Technologies that have been used for a long time but continue to be developed as they are critical on a battlefield: Infrared
systems (merging of different wavelengths, growing use of SWIR) and RF communication.
o Some technologies are already on the market and will remain so. They include survey meters, GPS, voice communications,
batteries.
o Exoskeleton projects to increase soldiers’ performance on the battlefields have stopped. The technical issues are too complex
for now and current exoskeletons make the foot soldier more vulnerable (slower, more visible).
o New technologies are emerging and are expected to be increasingly used: Blast sensors, bio and chemical sensors, augmented
reality, micro displays … These could be integrated in more complex systems (such as infrared systems with increased
functionalities) in the future
Infrared is aggregating many technologies around night vision goggles and thermal weapon sights such as: merging two
infrared technologies, smart battery pack integration, computer processor, wireless communication (between TWS and
goggles speeding up the target acquisition and weapon firing process), laser ranger and integrated micro display.
Dual-use is also an interesting approach to exploit civilian developments for defense. DARPA has a long history of forging
public-private technology partnerships, focusing on high-risk R&D, then attempting to field dual-use technologies to
boost U.S. military capabilities while sustaining the U.S. industrial base. For example, DARPA has been at the forefront of
the first TCP/IP network, MOS wafer manufacturing services, 193nm lithography, FinFET, robotic vehicles and 3D
integration.
Market growth is linked to national programs and conflicts! To address new markets, a company has to set up a factory in
the country in which they want to sell their equipment. Out of the 20 millions of military worldwide, 1.4 million “only”
actually go to combat and fire their weapons.
The market for the technologies investigated (infrared, RF, sensors, batteries) is estimated to be worth $9.1B in 2020,
reaching $12.4B in 2025 and $17.5B in 2030.

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3-PAGE SUMMARY
Infrared and RF technologies have well defined roadmaps and RF could be a major technology for defense in
the future just as infrared has been since the Vietnam war. After having been an important topic, the
exoskeleton seems to have been abandoned in favor of implanted sensors for improved performance as
soldiers need to be agile and undetectable on a battlefield (the exoskeleton slows down a foot soldier and
technical challenges are large). Other technologies such as sensors (inertial, chemical), displays, and AI will be
merged into systems such as night vision systems.
Defense is the playground of giant companies that are able to set up a dedicated new factory in a country
where they want to address a market. Examples of players are BAE Systems, Leonardo DRS, L3 Harris,
Thales, FLIR.
Being a defense supplier is not easy. For example, in the USA the Trusted Foundry Program selects the
foundry partners. The Trusted Foundry Program (also called the trusted suppliers' program) is a United
States Department of Defense program designed to secure the manufacturing infrastructure for information
technology vendors providing hardware to the military.
o It was originally implemented as an arrangement with IBM in the 1990. It was broadened in 2007 to include other
microelectronics suppliers to increase competition and ensure the entire supply chain could be trusted.
o Today the “zero trust” approach assumes no device is safe, and that all microelectronics components must be
validated before deployment.
The Defense industry is already defining 2050 major priorities. Even if technology is not ready, the 2050
Cyborg DoD soldier program is based on prioritized capabilities that are: Situational awareness, Strength
and speed, Imaging and sight, Communication, Physiology (endurance/sleep/health), Virtual (avatar) control,
Attention and memory, Learning and Olfaction.

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Executive Summary
WHY THIS REPORT?
This report aims to:
• Analyze the current and future technologies for foot soldiers for better communications, enhanced
lethality, mobility, survivability and sustainability.

• Provide a roadmap the current technologies and an analysis of the past 20 years. DARPA is cited as an
example of an organization that has driven innovation for both defense and civilian applications over the
last decades.

• Provide a forecast in units/value for the different technologies for foot soldiers: infrared, batteries, radios,
sensors.

• Give an overview of the current needs world-wide for defense applications.

• Highlight dual-use strategies.

• Educate on military collaborations.

• Present main companies involved in defense.

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INTRODUCTION
After the end of World War II, most countries accepted the idea that a major feature of security policy was the Defense
Industrial Base (DIB). Nations maintained their own defense industries, constantly ready to respond to threats. But at the
start of the 1990s, the world was beginning to look very different and defense spending fell by about a third in real terms
between 1989 and 1996.
Now, the world has changed again. Regional conflicts are joined by international terrorism as dominant factors in security
planning, and defense spending is being adjusted to focus on more flexible, responsive and mobile force structures with
an increasing focus on logistics and lifecycle support.
Despite the current relative world peace, military spending has been increasing steadily from $17B in 1949 to $1,868B in
2019.
Moreover, new types of battlefields (urban areas, smart cities, …) bring new challenges to the infantry for improved
situational awareness, lethality and survivability.
Semiconductor technologies have evolved. The high level of technology is directly correlated to the survivability of the
foot soldier, and is centered around 5 topics with associated technologies:
o C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence): RF communications, AR/VR, wrist-mounted displays,
cryptography, voice communications (microphones), radar,AI
o lethality (weapons and sights): night vision (uncooled infrared), enhanced sighting system, laser rangefinder
o mobility (navigation, size and weight of equipment): GPS
o survivability (clothing, stealth, body armor): clothes reducing VIS/radar/infrared signature, embedded wireless technology, helmet-
mounted AR/VR displays, exoskeleton, radiation/chemical sensors
o sustainability (logistical considerations): batteries (Li-ion, fuel cells)
This report presents the current and future semiconductor technologies and market forecasts for foot soldiers for
better communications, enhanced lethality, mobility, survivability and sustainability. They are described in the context of
the current military programs and environment worldwide.

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 MAIN RECENT GEOPOLITICAL RISKS - DRIVERS FOR MILITARY SPENDING
USA sanctions on Iran / USA killing Crimea annexation War in Syria China-India
of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani by Russia USA-China tech (cold) war
border clash

Border conflicts

North/South Korea tensions

Social media USA election propaganda Militarization of the

South China Sea

Dispute over Iranian fuel

Tensions in the middle East (Libya,Yemen, Iraq, Drone attack (Houthis) on Saudi
Conflicts over water
Iran, ISIS, Al Qaeda, etc.) Arabian oil-treatment facilities

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 Billion US$ (in constant 2019 US$)

1000,0
1200,0
1400,0
1600,0
1800,0
2000,0

0,0
200,0
400,0
600,0
800,0
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957

Korean War
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Vietnam War

1972
1973
1974

USA
1975
1976
1977
1978

China
1979
1980
1981
1982

India
1983
1984
1985
Data courtesy of SIPRI 1986
1987
Russia
Cold War

1988
1989
1990
1991
TOTAL

1992
1993
1994
Gulf War
1949-2019 GLOBAL DEFENSE SPENDING HISTORY

1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
War on Terror

2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
crisis

2015
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2016
Global oil

2017
2018
2019
22
DEFENSE INCENTIVES
FY2019 National defense budget
• Procurement: $179.2B
• RDT&E: not official
FY2019 National defense budget
General incentives • 5G
• Procurement: $147B • Space observation • Implementation of AESA military
• RDT&E: $95B • Missile defense radars
• AI

General incentives • Hypersonic weapons Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National
• Nuclear modernization • AI Defense (COSTIND) – Equivalent of DARPA
• Space • 5G
• Missile defense • Response force readiness FY2019 National defense budget
• Procurement: $21.5B
General incentives • Robots
Semiconductor programs
• AI • Cruise missiles
• Anti-drone systems

Defense Microelectronics Activity: $10.27B Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects
Equivalent of DARPA, FY2018 $60M-$100M budget
General incentives • 5G
DARPA Electronics Resurgence • Cyber security • Implementation of AESA military
Initiative: $1.5B over 5 years • IOT radars
• AI
Eu Commission's 2 pilot programs
FY2019 • The preparatory action on defense research
• 220 employees • European defense industrial development program FY 2019 $500M budget
• 250 programs EU commission is considering $13B support for 2021-2027 period.
• $3.4B Joint European Disruptive Initiative, not active yet

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DEFENSE: MAIN STAKEHOLDERS
Almaz Antei
FY2018 defense revenue $9.6B, 276,000 employees
Lockheed Martin Tactical Missiles Corporation, JSC
FY2019 defense revenue $48.9B, 110,000 employees FY2018 revenue $3.5B, 9700 employees
General Dynamics
FY2018 defense revenue $24.9B, 102,900 employees Airbus
Northrup Grumman FY2018 defense revenue $13B, 135,000 employees
FY2018 defense revenue $25.3B, 90,000 employees Leonardo
Boeing FY2018 defense revenue $9.8B, 49,000 employees
FY2019 space and defense revenue $26.2B, 153,000 employees Thales
Raytheon FY2018 defense revenue $9.6B, 80, 000 employees
FY2019 defense revenue $29B, 70,000 employees Rolls-Royce
United Technologies FY2018 defense revenue $4.6B, 52,000 employees
FY2018 defense revenue $9.3B, 240,000 employees- Merged with Raytheon in Apr 2020 Dassault
L-3 Harris FY2018 defense revenue $2.9B, 16,000 employees
FY2018 defense revenue $8.2B, 50,000 employees

Defence Research and Development Organization

(DRDO)
Aviation Industry Corporation of China FY2019 budget $2.5B, 17,200 employees
FY2019 defense revenue $24.9, 146, 350 employees Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) - State-owned
China Ordnance Industries Group Corporation Limited FY2018 revenue $1.6B, 9,700 employees
FY2018 defense revenue $14.7B, 276,000 employees
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) Elbit Systems
FY2018 defense revenue $12.1B, 146, 350 employees FY2019 revenue $4.1B, 16,575 employees
China South Industries Group Corporation Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
FY2018 defense revenue $11.9B FY2019 revenue $2.8B, 7,000 employees
China Electronics Technology Group
FY2018 defense revenue $10.2B
Hanwha
FY2018 revenue $4.2B, 58,000 employees

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CIVIL & MILITARY CONNECTIONS
USA, China, and the EU
For various cultural reasons, the connections between civil and military activities are very different in different countries. In the USA, military and
consumer companies are most of the time separated. However, in China, military and consumer activities usually happen in the same companies or the
same group of companies. In general, there are strong ties between military organizations and society. In Europe, both systems exist. Some companies are
highly specialized in defense activities while others have both civil and defense components.
Under pressure by the USA Department of Defense, which is concerned about the connections between Chinese companies and the Chinese military, the
situation may change in China.

Civil and military activities Civil and military activities Civil and military activities
are separated. can be separated or not. are entangled.
Defense commercial activities Defense commercial activities are mainly in
As an example, Dassault Aviation
are mainly in the hand of large the hand of large companies which also have
produces both military and civil airplanes.
defense companies. consumer activities.
For example, CETC, well-known as a Defense
company, is the mother company of
HiKVision, a well-known security camera
Nexter is a French company dedicated company.
exclusively to the production of military
equipment. Nexter belongs to the
French government.

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DARPA EXAMPLE: FROM DEFENSE R&D TO COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
DARPA has a long history of forging public-private technology
partnerships, focusing on high-risk R&D, then attempting to field dual-
Smartphones use technologies to boost U.S. military capabilities while sustaining
the U.S. industrial base.The majority of DARPA projects have civilian
Smartphones, game stations, automotive applications as well.

Computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, wearables, networks, automotive

HPC, networks, smartphones

2000 2005 2010 2020 Time reference 2040

Body temperature (COVID-19)

3D Integration Vision enhancement
RF MEMS Atomic clocks Audio enhancement
LiDAR Brain control
Inertial MEMS Uncooled infrared Wearables, sensors for body stimulation
FinFET PIC, optical integration

Cryptography communications RF / mmWaves Datacom, telecom

Uncooled infrared Heterogeneous integration

Smartphones (2020) 3D SoC

IoT
Thermography, automotive Low power sensors

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 DUAL-USE TECHNOLOGY EXAMPLES
DEFENSE APPLICATIONS CIVIL APPLICATIONS
Initially developed for military
applications, uncooled infrared
Infrared vision
technology now is widely used in
civil applications.

Exoskeletons make the soldier more

Exoskeleton
vulnerable. Most developments are now
Some for civil applications –therapy, industry).
technologies
are spreading
from defense First developed for consumer, AR/VR can
to civil AR/VR be used on battlefields (surgery)
applications
while others Wearables and hearables have
are going the a growing use in consumer.
other way Wearables They can be used on
battlefields to track soldiers’
health.
Biosensors (chemical sensors, e-noses)
are used in many applications (industry,
Biosensors HVAC, consumer, medical, automotive).
They can be used for chemical threat
detection.

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THE EVOLUTION OF OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
Since the 21st century
Mastering the technologies in all
domains of the operational
• Cognitive dimension
environment (OE) is key to win the • Information dimension
battle. What will be the next domains • Physical dimension
of the OE?
The future may see the convergence of
communication, electronic warfare, Information environment
cyber, and space domains.
Since the 19th century

Since antiquity

Since prehistoric times

Space domain

Air domain
Since the Vietnam war, night vision
enabled operations at night and gave
Maritime domain
a clear advantage to those with
access to infrared imaging
Land domain technology.
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STRATEGIC ORIENTATIONS
USA, China, and the EU
There are three new defense domains for the USA, China, and the EU: Cyberspace, the Electromagnetic spectrum, and Space. In
this respect, the three main superpowers are focusing on the same operational environments. The three domains also relate to
communication and information.
• Cyberspace
• In May 2010, the USA created the United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) dedicated to cyberspace operations. The United
States Cyber Command is composed of components from the Air Force, Navy, and Army, and is dedicated to operations in
Cyberspace.
• In its Defense White Paper published in July 2019 (New Era of China National Defense), China has affirmed the importance of
Cyberspace. China aims at developing strong cyber defenses, building national network borders, detecting and resisting cyber
intrusions, defending information security and social stability. Related to this effort, the Chinese military has developed some of the
largest supercomputers, including the famous Tianhe II supercomputer.
• Electromagnetic spectrum
• In October 2020, the Department of Defense (DoD) has reaffirmed the importance of the electromagnetic spectrum in its
Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy. According to the DoD, since commercial applications of the electromagnetic
spectrum are becoming more and more important for economic growth and prosperity, it presents new challenges as the
electromagnetic environment is becoming increasingly congested, contested, and constrained.
• China has also affirmed the importance of the electromagnetic domain for its defense. Complex electromagnetic environments are
now part of the key annual training exercises and competitions of the People’s Liberation Army.
• Space
• Although Space has remained non militarized for decades, this situation has changed recently.
• In December 2019, the USA created the Space Force, separating Space activities from the U.S. Air Force. 6,000 personnel have been
transferred from the U.S.Air Force Space Command to the U.S. Space Force.
• In its Defense White Paper published in July 2019 (New Era of China National Defense), China has affirmed the importance of the
Space domain for its Defense strategy. In 2019, China launched 34 satellite launch vehicles, and placed 70 spacecraft into orbit. China
plans to operate its own space station by 2022. This strategy may include counterspace activities to deny operation of other
countries in Space.

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NEW TERRESTRIAL BATTLEFIELDS
Future fights are likely to happen in urban areas such as towns and cities.
It will differ from previous combat open areas such as plains, desert, and jungle.

WWI and WW2: Vietnam War 1955-75: Iraq War 2003-2011: Tomorrow: urban areas
plains jungle desert (1st Battle of Grozny)
(Iraq War)
Specific challenges associated with urban war:
o Presence of civilians, difficult to distinguish from foes
o A 3D environment with buildings, underground infrastructure, enhanced concealment all lead to:
• A better environment for ambushes, snippers, booby traps
• A reduced efficiency for artillery and air support
• A limited field of view for firing
• Limited communications

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 30

PRICE OF FOOT SOLDIER PROTECTION
During WWII, the price per soldier for his equipment was $170 with a 41% ratio of wounded in action to
killed in action (1 killed to 2.40 wounded).
But the equipment and semiconductor technologies of infantrymen have evolved since WWII.
In the 2000s, the price grew to $17,472 with a 12% ratio.
Current research projects aim for a $28k-$60k price/soldier, again to lower mortality.

The price of protection

$35 000 45%

40%
$30 000
35%
$25 000
30%

$20 000 25%

$15 000 20%

15%
$10 000
10%
$5 000
5%

$0 0%
WWII Vietnam conflict 2000 2020

Price/soldier Wounded/killed (in action)

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 31

GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR FUTURE SOLDIER TECHNOLOGIES
RF Tactical Infrared
Sensors* Batteries 2025
$12.4B
$1.47B
CAGR25-30: $11.1B
6.6% CAGR25-30: 6.0%
$1.07B
2020 CAGR20-25:
$9.1B 6.5%
$8.3B
CAGR20-25: 5.3% $4.8B
CAGR25-30: $50M
9.8% CAGR25-30:
$780M $3B 10.8%
$6.4B CAGR20-25: 9.8%
$30M
CAGR20-25: 2030+
8.4%
$17.5B
$1.9B
$20M

*survey meters, blast sensors, new sensors …

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 32
FOOT SOLDIER TECHNOLOGIES STATUS AND ROADMAP
Market status

Technologies will merge into

systems (e.g. infra red systems
will aggregate many technologies:
Growing

LI, SWIR, MWIR, LWIR, µdisplays,

market

RF
wireless, inertials)
INFRA RED

These markets will

market
Stable

BATTERIES
GPS
continue to grow – not
SURVEY METERS a lot of innovation

AI
Emerging

BIO SENSORS MICRO DISPLAYS

market

BLAST SENSORS,
AR VR
LOCALIZATION SYSTEMS,
TRAVEL ADAPTERS …
Projects have stopped except for very
EXOSKELETON ROBOT PACK MULE
specific tasks (not on battlefields)
Timeline

2021 2030+
Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 33
INFRARED IN INFANTRY
Infrared has been one of the major focuses of intensive R&D as the ability to be able
to fight during night is still a competitive advantage.

The first prototype from Texas Instruments dates from 1964.

The first use in-situ was during the Vietnam War, to give soldiers a night vision.

TVS−4 Night Observation Device – 1st generation passive light

intensifier used only with night sky illumination. It had an 8”
aperture and was 30” long.

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 34

INFRARED IN INFANTRY: THE DIFFERENT PRODUCTS

SCOPE/MONOCULAR BINOCULAR RIFLESCOPE CLIP-ON/ATTACHMENT

Source LYNRED

PORTABLE VISION ENHANCEMENT THERMAL WEAPON SIGHT

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INFRARED IN INFANTRY
The Military market is dominated by cooled infrared technologies, and uncooled infrared imagers account for only
15% of the total military infrared imaging business. However, because of size constraints, uncooled infrared is favored
for infantrymen.
After bad years 2012 and 2013, Uncooled Military Infrared Systems market bounced back in 2014 thanks to U.S.
market stabilization and RoW market growth. Since these years, the growth has continued and is fueled by:
o New thermal imaging programs like ENVG III, made possible thanks to size and cost reduction of microbolometers with 12-
micron pitch.
o New microbolometer suppliers like GWIC, i3 system, Uelectronics, Dali that allow new countries (China, South Korea) to
adopt previously restricted thermal technology.
VGA resolution will dominate in these infantry applications with a trend to move to XGA.
Raytheon, BAE, DRS, and L3 Harris will probably continue to dominate the market due to large U.S. army needs. These
players will also benefit from DARPA programs like LCTI-M, which aims at developing low-cost infrared cameras for
military and commercial applications. This program will provide these players with key technological advantages over
their competitors.
Due to frequent military investments, and despite budget constrains, America is still the major global market for
military applications. Thanks to historically high military spending, U.S. thermal imager companies (BAE, Raytheon, DRS,
FLIR) have dominant worldwide positions.
o Military infrared camera sales are often executed via military contracts over long time periods, especially in the USA. For
example, in October 2020, U.S. Army selected L3Harris and Elbit Systems for $442M Night-Vision Tech Production OTA.
Elbit Systems of America said it received an initial $22.5M order under the OTA to begin low-rate initial production of the
ENVG-B goggles.
Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 36
INFRARED INFANTRY ROADMAP: CONVERGENCE OF TECHNOLOGIES/WAVELENGTHS

SWIR or LI: Offers More sensors:

visible-like images for • Inertial sensors
scene perception and is • Optical sensors
the best solution for
identification. It can also
identify laser illuminators
and range finders, which is
important on the Reducing cost for
battlefield. SWIR + LWIR: Best wider diffusion
of both worlds.
Better situational
awareness.

LWIR: Awareness
perception; is perfect for
detection (heat
signatures).

Timeline
2000 2020 2030 2050

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INFRARED FOR INFANTRY: MAIN PLAYERS
Inner circle are sensor
manufacturers
Outer circle are system
manufacturers

and many
others …
LI SWIR
LWIR MWIR

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 38

RADIO FREQUENCY APPLICATIONS IN INFANTRY
Radio frequency is part of the electromagnetic spectrum operational environment. Radio frequency has long
been used for enemy detection, as well as identification using radar, communication using radio, and
electronic warfare.
For the infantry, the use of tactical radios is an essential element of battlefield operations. Tactical radios are
used by squad leaders and above to share voice, data, and video and help to increase battlefield awareness.
They can enable communication with airborne and seaborne platforms, and also networked weapons.
Communication with airborne platforms is critical to engage close air support.
Key to radio communication is the compatibility in radio equipment. The compatibility must be assured with
older models, with radios of different branches of the military, and with allies. As an example, NATO has
been actively developing Link 16 and Link 22, the two main tactical data links of the Alliance. On the USA
side, the first decade of the 21st century was marked by the collapse of the Joint Tactical Radio System
(JTRS), a $15B program to unify the U.S. military radio system.
Electronic warfare (EW) is both the detection of electromagnetic jamming by enemies and attack on enemy
systems using the electromagnetic spectrum. In the Atlantic arena, EW activities declined after the Cold War.
However, they have recently regained traction partly through the activities of the U.S. Cyber Command. In
recent years, the U.S. Army has developed airborne, vehicle and tactical EW equipment. Moreover, we are
witnessing a convergence between electronic warfare and cyberspace operations. The military is getting
ready to operate in the radio frequency domain, to the internet and even social media, in order to deny
access to the electromagnetic environment to enemies, or wage psychological and cognitive assaults.
Cyberspace as a whole could be the next major operational environment of the military, from radio
frequencies to social networks.

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 39

RADIO FREQUENCY: ELECTRONIC WARFARE
Operating in Cyberspace

Although the cyberspace also refers to computer networks and

hacking, and electronic warfare is operated by airborne platforms,
the U.S. Army is also considering fighting in cyberspace and engaging
in infantry in electronic warfare.
After a decay following the end of the Cold War, electronic warfare
in the USA has been experiencing a resurgence in recent years. The
U.S. Army has announced plans to develop electronic warfare,
especially in the European theater.The resurgence of electronic
warfare for the U.S. Army is following two main paths:
• A jamming pod called the Multi-Functional Electronic
Warfare Air Large or MFEW Air Large mounted on an
unmanned aircraft, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. The MFEW Air
Large is developed by Lockheed Martin.
• The Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) and the Tactical Cyber
Equipment (TCE) which are ground-based with the goal of
operating, and detecting, electronic warfare activities.
The U.S. Army plans to engage in operations in cyberspace in a way Staff Sgt. Kristoffer Perez, Cyber Electromagnetic Activities section, 1st Armored
similar to that of the Navy Delta Force. Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, points toward a nearby objective during a
training with his section's new electronic warfare equipment. (Courtesy of U.S. Army)

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 40

RADIO FREQUENCY: TACTICAL RADIO USAGE

Handheld Manpack Vehicle mounted

Can be held in the hands Can be carried by a single person

Airborne Shipborne

Ground stations

MIDS-LVT 2 by
ViaSat
AN/PRC-161 by ViaSat

AN/PRC-158 (Falcon IV) by L3Harris

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 41
RADIO FREQUENCY: GaN FOR POWER AMPLIFICATION
Split by technology
GaN RF devices

Discrete GaN HEMT GaN based IC

Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) Front-End Modules (FEM)
• GaN discrete transistors or power • GaN MMIC solutions are • GaN FEM enables
bars are attractive for high power generally used for PA efficient monolithic
application at relatively low frequency applications. GaN MMIC can integration of PA, LNA
ranges. Discrete transistors are include two or more stages of and switch on a single
available up to 25GHz, but mainly GaN PA as well as drivers
integrated in a circuit. GaN PA chip for high frequency
used up to lower limit of X-Band. bands.
• Bare dies are designed into PA MMICs are favored at high
modules or pallets for high power RF frequencies above S–Band,
where high PAE and low RF
applications. losses become important.
UHF/VF L S C X Ku K Ka

0 1 2 4 8 12 18 26 40
Frequency
Bands, GHz
GaN PA discrete transistor

GaN PA MMICs

GaN FEM

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 42

RADIO FREQUENCY: FROM COMMUNICATION TO INFORMATION
From mass media to information soldiers

The ultimate purpose of war is

psychological, being to bend the will of
the enemy. One domain to operate in
is the information environment which
encompasses the physical, information,
and cognitive dimensions.
Communication and information share
some physical properties since they
both evolve in the electromagnetic
environment and cyberspace.
The Vietnam War saw During the Fallujah battle Internet is becoming a
With the increase of the importance of major protests against the in November 2004, despite new battleground. One
the Internet and, more recently, of war supported by popular a clear advantage in fire aspect is the hacking of
social media across all society, figures such as John power, the U.S. Marine key websites such as the
Lennon and Yoko Ono. The Corps was unable to cyber attack suffered by
cyberspace has become a major arena protests invaded popular capture the city. Several Georgia governmental
for military activity. There is also a music, books, movies, and civilian casualties caught websites in July 2008.
continuum joining the activities of poetry. on camera by journalists Another aspect is the
communication and information. and instantly transmitted information battle on
to news channels, created social networks with
Our report does not focus on a backlash against the humans and bots
information warfare and is limited to operation which was manipulating information.
infantryman communications. stopped after a few days.

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 43

ROADMAP: FROM RADIO COMMUNICATION TO CYBER WARFARE

1997-2011
2050
JTRS program
Convergence of
The lost decade?
communication, electronic
warfare, cyber, and space
domains

Cold war - 2017

Decay in U.S. EW
capabilities 2014-2016
War in Donbass

2019
Creation of the
U.S. Space
2010 Command
Creation of the
U.S. Cyber
2000 Command 2020 2030 2050

EW: Electronic Warfare

JTRS: Joint Tactical Radio System Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 44
TACTICAL RF EQUIPMENT PLAYERS

*
*
*

The major military powers are

developing their own tactical RF
equipment focusing on tactical radio,
while also developing electronic warfare
equipment. Russia is the world leader in
electronic warfare equipment.

*Also involved in electronic warfare applications Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 45
OTHER TECHNOLOGIES TO WATCH
Besides the important areas of infrared and radio communications, the army is also investigating other technologies for
the soldier. However, they have not developed as much.They are:
• Chemical sensors, biosensors and wearables, for chemical threats and hazards.
• Because of the Wassenaar Agreement, such conflicts are scarce.
• Survey meters, for radiation.
• But nuclear power has remained a deterrent technology and survey meters have not multiplied
• Portable batteries, for longer missions
• A rechargeable lithium battery can undergo more than a thousand charge/discharge cycles during its operating life,
thereby eliminating the need to purchase, store, and deliver many hundreds of primary lithium batteries.
• Possible future developments for soldiers’ energy generation include portable solar panels (that can be included in
blankets) or piezoelectric materials integrated in boot soles to generate power while walking.
• Exoskeleton for human enhancement.
• Exoskeleton developments are shifting from armor-like systems to lighter ones based on wearables and sensors.

Defense is driven by innovation. So, it looks closely at the consumer and civilian developments to watch what can be
exploited on a battlefield.
• Augmented reality is a technology that integrates digital information into the user’s real-world environment.
• Augmented reality can aid in surgery in life-like simulations of war zones by receiving guidance from surgeons through
an augmented reality headset.
• In the longer term, direct neural enhancement of the human brain for brain-computer interface, interaction between
individuals and secondary assets (machines such as drones, weapon systems) and brain to machine / machine to brain / brain
to brain communication is on the roadmap of DARPA.

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 46

 THE 2050 WARRIOR
Ocular Enhancement for Imaging, Sight and Situational Awareness
Direct Neural
Direct Neural Enhancement
Enhancement of the Human
of the Human • Enhancing individual vision beyond the visible spectrum
Brain
Brain • More computational capabilities
• •Neural implants
Neural for for
implants brain-computer
brain-computerinterface
interface • Data sharing
• •Seamless interaction
Seamless between
interaction individuals
between andand
individuals
secondary assets (machines suchsuch
as drones,
→ for 2050 battlefields: dense,
secondary assets (machines as drones,
weapon
weaponsystems)
systems) urban, environments and
• •Brain to machine
Brain / machine
to machine to brain
/ machine / brain
to brain to to
/ brain megacities.
brain communication
brain Auditory Enhancement for Communication
→ for use of remote weapon and Protection
systems and unmanned vehicles. • Direct replacement or modification of the middle-
ear bones and the cochlea
• Protect or filter overexposure and increase
sensitivity to low-amplitude sounds
Restoration and Programmed Muscular • Expand sensory perception (infrasonic, ultrasonic)
Control through an Optogenetic Bodysuit
Sensor Web → for advanced communication,
• Network of subcutaneous optical sensors to reducing battlefield-associated
stimulate muscles/nerves hearing loss.
• Coupling with external sensors (wearables)
→ to decrease injury and mortality rates.
Inspired from DoD

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 47

CONCLUSIONS
For the infantry, a high level of technology is directly correlated to the survivability of the foot soldier, and is centered around 5 topics
with associated technologies:
o C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence): RF communications, AR/VR, wrist-mounted displays, cryptography, voice
communications (microphones), radar,AI
o lethality (weapons and sights): night vision (uncooled infrared), enhanced sighting system, laser rangefinder
o mobility (navigation, size and weight of equipment): GPS
o survivability (clothing, stealth, body armor): clothes reducing VIS/radar/IR signature, embedded wireless technology, helmet-mounted AR/VR displays,
exoskeleton, radiation/chemical sensors
o sustainability (logistical considerations): batteries (Li-ion, fuel cells)
Moreover, new types of battlefields (urban areas, smart cities, …) bring new challenges to the infantry for improved situational awareness,
lethality and survivability.
But the defense sector has its own logic, driven by unpredictable events.
Market growth is linked to national programs and conflicts and has a very different logic compared to a civilian market, such as
smartphones or automotive. To address new markets, a company has to set up a factory in the country in which they want to sell their
equipment.
The market for the technologies investigated (infrared, RF, sensors, batteries) is estimated to be worth $9.1B in 2020, reaching $12.4B in
2025 and $17.5B in 2030.
Infrared is aggregating many technologies around night vision goggles and thermal weapon sights, such as merging two infrared
technologies, smart battery pack integration, computer processor, wireless communication, laser ranger and integrated micro display.
Dual-use is also an interesting approach to exploit civilian developments for defense. DARPA has a long history of forging public-private
technology partnerships, focusing on high-risk R&D.
The future might see the convergence of the cyberspace and space domains, and electronic warfare. Soldiers will fight over the entire
electromagnetic spectrum, on the internet and social networks, waging psychological and cognitive conflicts.

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 48

Introduction
FUTURE SOLDIER TECHNOLOGIES
Introduction
• ‘Operational Environment’ is a key concept in military operations. It defines the platforms and technologies which are used
on a battlefield. Choosing the wrong operational environment for a conflict can dramatically affect its outcome.
• By the end of the Vietnam War, the major military powers had started to develop and adopt night vision devices thanks to
technological progress made in 1970s. During Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s, night vision was a major advantage for
the U.S. military and many operations occurred at night.
• As a result, for five decades infrared technology has been one of the most important technologies in the military, and
infrared has been an important part of soldier technologies.
• On the other hand, technologies related to other operational environments did not develop as much. Nuclear power has
remained a deterrent technology and survey meters have not multiplied. Apart from the Japanese Aum Sect and incidents in
the Syrian civil war, the use of biological weapons have been limited, resulting in little development in chemical sensors.
• What is the next operational environment?
• At the end of the 2010s, during the War in Donbass, the Russian military was able to destroy Ukrainian operations without
firing a single shot. Powerful electromagnetic devices were able to suppress command communications, jam GPS, disable
radar, and deny aircraft operations.
• Meanwhile, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in China has almost achieved mechanization. It is on course to be world-
class by 2049. However, thanks to companies like China Electronics Technology Group, China has already achieved a high
level in infrared imaging and radio frequency devices.
• In recent times, China and Russia have often been accused of cyber attacks on state-owned computer networks while also
engaging in intelligence operations on social networks.
• While electronic warfare and cyber operations are increasing, we may witness the convergence of communication,
electronic warfare, cyber, and space domains. The future soldier will take part in these operations, fighting with the use of
computing and electromagnetic technologies.The future soldier is both analog and digital, both kinetic and electromagnetic.

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A NEW WORLD AHEAD
Defense spending is
dramatically reduced
2001
New innovative weapons
September 11 attacks
programs.
1945 1989 Regional conflicts
Strategic alliances.
WWII ends Berlin wall falls Terrorism
Consolidation of the industry.
Cold war period: defense is a More flexible, responsive and
specific industry with clear mobile force structures with an
priorities, long time horizons increasing focus on logistics
and relatively stable programs. and lifecycle support.
Dual use.

Tomorrow?

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 51

A NEW WORLD AHEAD
The end of the Cold War left the defense industry at a major turning point.
o Since the end of World War II, most countries had developed the idea that a major feature of security policy was their Defense Industrial
Base (DIB). Instead of converting car or bus production to the manufacture of fighter aircraft or tanks in times of war, nations maintained
their own defense industries, constantly ready to respond to threats.
o The Cold War period offered that kind of certainty. This helped both defense planners and defense companies: clear priorities, long time
horizons and relatively stable programs.
At the start of the 1990s, three years after the fall of the Berlin wall, the world was beginning to look very different.
o Defense spending fell by about a third in real terms between 1989 and 1996.
o The nature of warfare had prompted a move away from large arsenals of traditional weapons to new innovative weapon systems
promoting rapid deployment and extreme precision.
o New shared risk and reward agreements and strategic alliances ranging from consortia to joint ventures were becoming increasingly
popular to reduce the risk associated with major procurement programs.
The defense industry has evolved dramatically as a result.
o Twenty four of the 100 largest defense companies in 1990 had left the industry by 1998.
o Those that remained grew larger through a series of consolidating mergers. A more collaborative international security community
appeared to be emerging to respond to what were largely regional outbreaks of war.
Now, the world has changed again.
o Regional conflicts are joined by international terrorism as dominant factors in security planning.
o Defense spending is being adjusted to focus on more flexible, responsive and mobile force structures with an increasing focus on logistics
and lifecycle support.
o At the same time, unrelenting pressure on public funds means new methods are being used to develop, acquire, finance and support
defense equipment, including a determined effort to make wider use of cheaper, non-specialized Commercial, Off-The Shelf (COTS)
technology wherever possible.
In this ever-changing environment, the improvement of the foot soldier’s capabilities are still a major concern.

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 52

 MAIN RECENT GEOPOLITICAL RISKS - DRIVERS FOR MILITARY SPENDING
USA sanctions on Iran / USA killing Crimea annexation War in Syria China-India
of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani by Russia USA-China tech (cold) war
border clash

Border conflicts

North/South Korea tensions

Social media USA election propaganda Militarization of the

South China Sea

Dispute over Iranian fuel

Tensions in the middle East (Libya,Yemen, Iraq, Drone attack (Houthis) on Saudi
Conflicts over water
Iran, ISIS, Al Qaeda, etc.) Arabian oil-treatment facilities

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 53

NUMBER OF INFANTRYMEN IN THE WORLD

About 10% of soldiers go to combat and fire

their weapons

About 1.4 million « trigger

About 20 million
pullers » worldwide
military personnel
worldwide

About 3 million
infantrymen worldwide
About 15% are About 1.6 million for logistics
infantrymen

The number of military personnel on the battlefield is minute

compared to the total number of soldiers.
Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 54
INCREASING SOLDIER LETHALITY AND PROTECTION IS PART OF THE GLOBAL DEFENSE ELECTRONICS
MODERNIZATION PRIORITIES
Addressable markets are growing faster than the overall defense budget (source Leonardo)

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 55

 COVID-19 IMPACT
How strong is the negative impact on the market
© Yole Développement, April 2020
High

Automotive & Civil aviation

Mobility

Automotive
Medium

* This includes both wired and wireless telecom (Although dynamics

are different for each, we believe confinement is a factor pushing the
Low

deployment of new technologies (for 5G, data centers, transceivers

…) Time Scale

Short-term (6 months to 1 year) Mid-term (1 year to 3 years) Long-term (3 years +)

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 56
COVID-19 IMPACT ON THE DEFENSE SECTOR
The sectoral economic consequences of the health crisis that we have been experiencing for almost a
year are disparate.

Thus, while areas such as automotive and civil aeronautics are negatively impacted, others such as
medical or telecommunication infrastructures are little or positively impacted.

The defense sector is one of the areas with very little impact. Better still, this sector seems to serve as
leverage for public authorities in their policies to support industries (especially those with dual
activities involving civil aeronautics). In fact, several countries (France, Germany, for example) have
placed advance orders, while others (UK) have significantly increased their defense budgets in the
short term.

Even if the defense sector seems to be spared the negative short-term effects, vigilance must be
exercised in the medium and long term. It will be remembered that after the financial crisis of 2008
and the subsequent austerity cure, the defense budgets of several countries (European among others)
fell for almost 10 years.

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 57

Market Forecast
Military Budgets
2019 ESTIMATED MILITARY BUDGET BY COUNTRY (TOP 10)

Total: $1,870B $65B

(3.2% YoY)
$49B
$49B $261B $48B

$732B $50B
$44B
$62B $71B

Data courtesy of SIPRI

RoW: $437B

USA, China and the combined European forces are giants in the military space.
Substantial growth in spending by Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, Japan and South Korea.
Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 60
 Billion US$ (in constant 2019 US$)

1000,0
1200,0
1400,0
1600,0
1800,0
2000,0

0,0
200,0
400,0
600,0
800,0
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957

Korean War
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
Vietnam War

1972
1973
1974

USA
1975
1976
1977
1978

China
1979
1980
1981
1982

India
1983
1984
1985
Data courtesy of SIPRI 1986
1987
Russia
Cold War

1988
1989
1990
1991
TOTAL

1992
1993
1994
Gulf War
1949-2019 GLOBAL DEFENSE SPENDING HISTORY

1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
War on Terror

2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
crisis

2015
Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021

2016
Global oil

2017
2018
2019
61
WORLD MILITARY BUDGETS
• Global military spending is estimated at $1,870 for 2019 with a year-on-year growth of 3.2%. The
military budget of the USA is clearly the largest with almost the half the world budget at $732B.
• China’s military budget is second and was worth $261B in 2019. The military budget of other
countries are much smaller.
• Russia, which was one of the superpowers during the Cold War, has a military budget which is
smaller than that of France and UK combined, and smaller than that of India.
• Global military spending is doubling roughly every 20 years.
• The growth until 2000 could be mainly attributed to the U.S. military budget.
• However, since 2000 things have changed, with an important part of the increase being attributed to
Russia, China, and India.
• China has had a constant growth of its military budget in the past two decades. However, this
growth is mainly related to the growth of China’s GDP. The military spending in China was 1.3% of
GDP in 2017, while it was 3.5% of GDP in USA, and 2.3% in France. Similarly, the growth in military
spend was 5.3% in China between 2012 and 2017 while it was 9.8% for the USA.
• Overall, military spend continues to grow decade after decade at a nice 7% CAGR. Conflicts in
Europe, Middle East, Pacific region, and South America are fueling military sales.

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 EVOLUTION OF DEFENSE SPENDING IN EUROPE

Since 2014,
defense
spending has
been
increasing in
Europe

Source: https://www.csis.org/analysis/toward-new-lost-decade-covid-19-and-defense-spending-europe

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 2019 GLOBAL ARMS IMPORTS/EXPORTS, BY WEAPON CATEGORY

Air defence systems Other Artillery Naval weapons

Sensors 3% 2% 1% 1% Satellites
4% 0,2%

Engines
6%

Aircraft account Armoured vehicles

8%
for the largest
share of global
arms
imports/exports
$27.2B Aircraft
55%
Ships
9%

Missiles
11%

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2019 GLOBAL ARMS IMPORTS & EXPORTS, BY COUNTRY (TOP-10)
Exports Imports
South Korea
Italy Israel
$688 Turkey
United Kingdom $491 $369 $833
$972 China
$887
Saudi Arabia
Spain $3 673
$1 061 Japan
$891

Germany
$1 185
United States
$1 048

China United States

$1 423 $10 752

$25B Egypt
$1 193 $16.7B
India
France
$2 964
$3 368
Australia
$1 399

South Korea
$1 510
Russia Qatar
$4 718 $2 258

In 2019, 10 countries accounted for 91% of global arms exports. The balance is
in favor of countries with big defense industries (USA, Russia, France)
Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 65
GLOBAL MARKET FORECAST FOR FUTURE SOLDIER TECHNOLOGIES
RF Tactical Infrared
Sensors* Batteries 2025
$12.4B
$1.47B
CAGR25-30: $11.1B
6.6% CAGR25-30: 6.0%
$1.07B
2020 CAGR20-25:
$9.1B 6.5%
$8.3B
CAGR20-25: 5.3% $4.8B
CAGR25-30: $50M
9.8% CAGR25-30:
$780M $3B 10.8%
$6.4B CAGR20-25: 9.8%
$30M
CAGR20-25: 2030+
8.4%
$17.5B
$1.9B
$20M

*survey meters, blast sensors, new sensors …

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 66
MILITARY BUDGET TRENDS
• Defense market does not follow a similar logic to civilian markets.

• There is no scalability rule: « price decreases with increasing volume » as volumes

are generally low – in the k order of magnitude.

• They usually do not care for forecasts, as market is linked to unforecastable events
(conflicts, war).

• Market growth is linked to national programs and conflicts. To address new

markets, a company has to set up a factory in the country in which they want to
sell their equipment.

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Infrared
INFRARED FOR INFANTRYMEN
Infrared technologies for infantry (IL, SWIR, MWIR LWIR) will top 325k units in 2026 with a value of
$3.25B (respectively 8.2% / 10% CAGR due to price increase as more infrared technologies will be
integrated in systems thus increasing the value)

Infrared units for infantry Infrared value for infantry

350 000 $3 500

300 000 $3 000

250 000 $2 500

200 000 $2 000

Units

$M
150 000 $1 500

100 000 $1 000

50 000 $ 500

0 $0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 CAGR 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 CAGR
Units 204 861 211 597 233 124 254 230 277 403 300 145 325 370 8,2% $M $1 874 $1 986 $2 213 $2 464 $2 734 $2 996 $3 275 10,0%

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INFRARED FOR INFANTRYMEN
ENVG will have the highest CAGR: more than 85% over 2020-2025.
LWIR will capture the largest market by value: almost $1.5B in 2025.
Infrared for infantrymen - value by wavelength
$3 500

$3 000

$2 500

$2 000
$M

$1 500

$1 000

$ 500

$0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 CAGR
ENVG $ 33 $ 83 $ 138 $ 193 $ 248 $ 303 $ 358 86,4%
LWIR $ 957 $ 963 $1 053 $1 158 $1 274 $1 379 $1 493 7,8%
MWIR $ 262 $ 262 $ 286 $ 315 $ 346 $ 373 $ 401 7,6%
SWIR $ 80 $ 89 $ 99 $ 110 $ 123 $ 137 $ 152 11,4%
IL $ 543 $ 590 $ 637 $ 688 $ 743 $ 805 $ 871 8,3%

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INFRARED FOR INFANTRYMEN
Light intensifiers, the “historical” soldiers’ infrared technology, will be the largest market in units (about
60%).
Infrared for infantrymen - units by wavelength
350 000

300 000

250 000

200 000
Units

150 000

100 000

50 000

0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 CAGR
ENVG 600 1 500 2 500 3 500 4 500 5 500 6 500 132,1%
LWIR 82 908 78 691 88 408 96 749 106 174 113 927 122 983 7,2%
MWIR 7 479 7 485 8 181 8 999 9 899 10 649 11 456 7,6%
SWIR 5 315 5 920 6 595 7 347 8 185 9 118 10 157 11,4%
IL 108 560 118 000 127 440 137 635 148 646 160 951 174 274 8,3%

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Radio Frequency
RF TACTICAL EQUIPMENT
Global volume forecast
• Our forecast for RF tactical
equipment includes inter/intra
team radios, multichannel
tactical radios, and tactical
cyber equipment. Inter/intra
team radios are small handheld
radios with limited capabilities.
Multichannel radios provide
many more channels and much
more power. They are usually in
the manpack format, though
handheld models are appearing.
Tactical cyber equipment are
manpack size and fitted with
many features.
• The numbers are dominated by
small inter/intra team radios.
Multichannel tactical radios are
used at the squad level and
above. Tactical cyber equipment
are today used mainly for
training and special operations
and are therefore in limited
quantities.

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RF TACTICAL EQUIPMENT
Global market forecast
• Inter/intra team radios
have relatively low unit
ASP ($2,000). Their
numbers, therefore,
translate into limited
revenue. On the other
hand, multichannel tactical
radios have much more
power and many more
channels, so their unit ASP
($200k) and associated
market revenues are much
higher.
• As with multichannel
tactical radios, tactical
cyber equipment have
much higher capabilities.
Their unit ASP has been
estimated at $400k
although most of the
models are still at the
developmental sage.

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TACTICAL RADIO VOLUMES AND BUDGETS
The U.S. Army case
Since interoperability must be ensured for radio U.S. Army tactical network modernization budget
communication across the different components of an army,
tactical radios are mainly purchased at the highest levels of the
defense systems. Rather than devices, communication must be
considered at the system level. Decisions can also be super-
national as is the case for NATO Link 22 and Link 16.
The U.S. Army has started the modernization of its tactical
network allowing a budget of $12.7B for the procurement and
testing of 65,622 manpack radios and 100,000 leader radios.
The procurement is expected to take five years starting in
FY2021. Three companies are part of the deal: L3Harris,
General Dynamics C4 Systems (General Dynamics Mission
Systems), and Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace).

AN/PRC-158
(estimated from public information)

The total (including procurement and

testing) unit price of the L3Harris
AN/PRC-158 is estimated at $200,000.

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RF TACTICAL EQUIPMENT
GaN devices market forecast
• GaN has become a key
material for RF military
equipment thanks to its high
electron mobility resulting in
low power consumption,
smaller devices, and larger
bandwidth.
• Today, RF GaN is widely used
in military radar and is being
introduced into
communication and
electronic warfare
equipment. Following this
trend, RF GaN is also used
for tactical RF equipment.

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 76

Other Technologies
 MARKET FORECAST FOR OTHER SENSORS ASSOCIATED WITH INFRARED SYSTEMS

Other sensors
As infrared is
$ 0,9
aggregating
more $ 0,8
functionalities, $ 0,7
the market
for associated $ 0,6

sensors will $ 0,5

grow.
$M

$ 0,4

$ 0,3

$ 0,2

$ 0,1

$ 0,0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 CAGR
Other sensors $ 0,5 $ 0,5 $ 0,6 $ 0,6 $ 0,7 $ 0,8 $ 0,8 7,6%

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MARKET FORECAST FOR SURVEY METERS
Survey meters are a mature market.
It is a modest growth market with little innovation and established players.

Military survey meters revenue Military survey meters units

$ 350 700 000

$ 300 600 000

$ 250 500 000

Revenue - $M

$ 200 400 000

Units
$ 150 300 000
$ 100
200 000
$ 50
100 000
$0
CAG 0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 CAGR
R
Military survey meters $M $ 250 $ 260 $ 270 $ 281 $ 292 $ 304 $ 316 4% Military survey meters units 500 000 520 000 540 800 562 432 584 929 608 326 632 660 4%

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 79

MARKET FORECAST FOR BATTERIES FOR SOLDIERS
Military battery market (aviation, land, marine, space and munition, rechargeable and non-rechargeable
batteries) will grow from $2.5B to $3.6B in 2025.
Batteries for soldiers is a minute part of the global defense battery market (less than 1%)
Battery market for soldiers ($M)
$ 35

$ 30

$ 25

$ 20
$M

$ 15

$ 10

$5

$0
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 CAGR
Battery market for soldiers ($M) $ 20 $ 21 $ 23 $ 25 $ 28 $ 30 $ 33 8,0%

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 80

Defense Environment
DEFENSE ENVIRONMENT
This chapter presents specificities of the defense environment:
o Dual-use: this refers to technologies that can be used for both civilian and defense applications.
Infrared technology is a good example. First developed and used during the Vietnam War to gain
a certain military advantage, the technology has evolved in cost with reduced form factor to
now be used for commercial applications as well. Using thermal imagers for body temperature
screening for COVID-19 control is the latest commercial success.

o DARPA approach: DARPA has a long history of forging public-private technology partnerships,
focusing on high-risk R&D, then attempting to field dual-use technologies to boost U.S. military
capabilities while sustaining the U.S. industrial base. It is a good example of how public funds for
defense innovation can be turned into commercial applications.

o Geographical differences between Europe, USA and China: As China is growing as a world
leader, it is also increasing its military budget. China is developing many technologies (infrared,
communications, sensors) that will be critical in future military conflicts.

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Dual-use
DUAL-USE TECHNOLOGIES
Dual-use refers to technologies that can be used for both civilian and defense
applications.

Examples of dual-use technologies:

o Missiles (ballistic weapons/space travel)

o Nuclear (nuclear bomb/power technology)

o AI (mass surveillance/AR)

o Biology and Chemistry (toxic weapons/drugs)

o Thermal imaging (night vision/COVID-19 detection)

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 84

DUAL-USE CONTROL: THE WASSENAAR ARRANGEMENT
The Wassenaar Arrangement, established in July 1996, is a voluntary export control regime whose 42
members (see map below) exchange information on transfers of conventional weapons and dual-use
goods and technologies.
o Through such exchanges, Wassenaar aims to promote "greater responsibility" among its members in
exports of weapons and dual-use goods and to prevent "destabilizing accumulations."
o Unlike its predecessor, the Cold War-era Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls
(COCOM), which was created to restrict exports to the former Soviet Union and Eastern bloc, Wassenaar
is not targeted at any region or group of states, but rather at "states of concern" to members.
o Wassenaar members also lack veto authority over other member's proposed exports, a power that
COCOM members exercised.

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DUAL-USE: DIFFERENT STRATEGIES
USA, China and Europe have different strategies
regarding dual use.
o In the USA, the DoD has been increasingly involved in
commercial developments since the Clinton
administration.
o In China, CPC committees have been implanted into
more than 35 Chinese tech giants to ensure each
company’s objectives don’t stray from those of the
Communist party.
• In 2017, the Central Commission for Integrated
Military and Civilian Development was established by
the party to oversee and coordinate CMI efforts.
• Military branches, like the PLA’s Strategic Support
Force (PLASSF), have signed agreements with
universities and software-development companies to
increase their integration outside of the military.
• China is now publicly announcing that CPC
committees contribute to the companies’ strategies.
o Europe has more independent links between government
and industry than China. Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 86
DUAL-USE: USA STRATEGY
In the USA, the Clinton administration made a significant change in technology policy.
Historically, the U.S. DoD had the latitude and resources to enlist industry to respond to
its technology needs. It could regularly dismiss the commercial effects of its actions,
impose unilateral terms and conditions on R&D activities, and rely largely on a defense-
unique industrial base.
All of this has begun to change under the new dual-use technology policy. The DoD has
taken greater account of commercial considerations, entered into more flexible
contractual arrangements such as partnerships and placed greater reliance on a
commercial, as opposed to a defense, industrial and technological base.
The DoD became more attuned to, and hence more involved in, the commercial
considerations surrounding technological development.
Limitations of this new approach:
1. For small companies or startups not used to working in defense, government is a
customer that moves too slowly (With DoD, it takes two years to get to a ‘yes’ when a
lot of companies need a ‘no’ in 30 days because they don’t have the capital).

2. The R&D budget has dramatically decreased (33% of R&D was tied to the Department
of Defense in the 1960s.That percentage has since tanked to 3.7%).

3. Traditional defense contractors continue to dominate as the small businesses only

“dabble in defense.”
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A DUAL-USE CASE STUDY: INFRARED
Infrared has been one of the major focuses of intensive R&D as the ability to fight at night is still a military advantage.
Night-vision devices were first used in World War II and came into widespread use during the Vietnam War.
As light intensifier technology advanced, the areas where image intensifiers could be used have widened from defense to
civilian applications.
o Today, medical, scientific, industrial and commercial imaging applications are all taking advantage of this technology. The medical
imaging profession is increasingly relying on the use of image intensifiers as a key component in diagnostic systems. Image
intensifiers are used in conjunction with endoscopes, x-ray imaging and fluoroscopy equipment to assist with numerous
procedures. Additionally, image intensifiers are being used with scientific research tools for cell and tissue evaluations associated
with cancer study. Image intensifiers are also gaining popularity in numerous commercial applications, such as machine vision and
spectroscopic equipment.
First developed for defense, uncooled LWIR technology has now been massively adopted for civilian applications.
o As consumer volumes are increasing, manufacturers are developing new low-cost approaches, such as wafer level packaging that
are in turn adopted by the army (e.g., in 2015, DARPA launched an estimated $40M WIRED program to develop affordable
wafer-scale infrared sensors).
o As infrared technologies and specifically LWIR can be used in both defense and civilian markets, this also affected the
organization of the players.
o For a long time, ULIS (FR) had been the commercial part of SOFRADIR (FR). As LWIR technology was more and more used in
civilian applications, the two entities merged in 2019 to create LYNRED to benefit from the synergy.
DEFENSE DEFENSE COMMERCIAL

Starlight scope- Vietnam WAR Handheld thermal imagers Plug-in thermal imagers
(Thales) (SEEK)
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 DUAL-USE TECHNOLOGY EXAMPLES
DEFENSE APPLICATIONS CIVIL APPLICATIONS
Initially developed for military
applications, uncooled infrared
Infrared vision
technology is now widely used in
civil applications.

Exoskeletons make the soldier more

Exoskeleton
vulnerable. Most developments are now
Some for civil applications –therapy, industry).
technologies
are diffusing
from defense First developed for consumer, AR/VR can
to civil AR/VR be used on battlefields (surgery)
applications
while others Wearables and hearables have
are going the a growing use in consumer.
other way Wearables They can be used on
battlefields to track soldiers’
health.
Biosensors (chemical sensors, e-noses)
are used in many applications (industry,
Biosensors HVAC, consumer, medical, automotive).
They can be used for chemical threat
detection.

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DARPA Approach
DARPA OBJECTIVE
DARPA has a long history of forging public-private technology partnerships, focusing
on high-risk R&D, then attempting to field dual-use technologies to boost U.S. military
capabilities while sustaining the U.S. industrial base.

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EXAMPLES OF DARPA PROJECTS AS THE FOUNDING OF MANY NEW TECHS

1970s: ARPANET, first wide-

area packet-switching
network with distributed
control and one of the first
1990s: 193nm lithography
networks to implement the Today: 4th electronic wave
initiative from DARPA
TCP/IP protocol suite. with 3D heterogeneous
integration, new materials
& devices, specialized
2000s: 3rd electronic wave functions, and design &
with Fin Field Effect security → ERI focus
Transistors (FinFETs), a
DARPA-funded innovation
for low power computing
1980s: geometric Si scaling started to make which kick started an era
low-volume IC fabrication unaffordable. of 3D devices
DARPA launched the Metal Oxide Silicon
Implementation Service (MOSIS) for rapid, + 2005-7 Grand Challenge, 2015 Robotics Challenge, 2016 Cyber
low-cost chip manufacturing. Grand Challenge, 2017 Spectrum Collaboration Challenge …

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EXAMPLES OF DARPA PROJECTS
Toady, ERI (Electronic Resurgence Initiative) is funding 20+ DARPA-funded programs differentially across the U.S.
commercial and defense base.
Examples of projects:

$1.5B funding

N-Zero project SSITH project PIPES project

ARM-led project in which
Microsoft is working with SRI Optical Interconnects to
the chip IP vendor is SHIP project
licensing its low-power 5G project International and Cambridge
Project overseen by the Naval Surface
Improve Performance of
Qualcomm is working University on SSITH, or System Digital Microelectronics.
processor technology to Warfare Center, Crane Division.
with GlobalFoundries and Security Integration Through
DoD contractors. The contract provides government
the Air Force Research Hardware and Firmware. The effort
has so far developed RISC-V-based access to its advanced chip packaging
Laboratory to enable facilities in Arizona and Oregon and to
DoD use of commercial FPGAs that are being incorporated
into commercial designs. its packaging technologies: embedded
wireless technologies. multi-die interconnect bridge (EMIB), 3D
Foveros and Co-EMIB.

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 ERI PROJECT EXAMPLE: PIPES PROJECT
Photonics in the Package for Extreme Scalability (PIPES)
Photonics in the Package for Extreme Scalability (PIPES) is the first
project exploring nontraditional CMOS scaling.
It will explore ways to bring the benefits of optical scaling directly
to chips. PIPES will also work to establish a domestic ecosystem
that facilitates long-term access to these new photonics
capabilities for both commercial and DoD users.
The DARPA PIPES project, involving leading silicon photonics Optically connected FPGA board developed by
companies, aims at increasing chip-to-chip interconnection speed Intel and Ayar Labs.
by using silicon photonics. Recently, Intel and Ayar Labs
Aiming for demonstrated 2Tbps communication on an FPGA. The project’s
above aim is to achieve communications above 100Tbps.
100Tbps chip-
to-chip
interconnect
speeds.

Source: Ayar Labs

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ERI PROJECT EXAMPLE: SHIP PROJECT
In the era of slowing Moore’s law, Advanced Packaging has emerged as the essential tool to gain overall
system performance. Realizing its significance, Intel has invested heavily in Advanced Packaging
technology development in the last 3-4 years. Advanced Packaging is migrating from substrate platform
to the wafer/ silicon level and Intel has emerged as a key player in this domain, similar to TSMC.
Intel’s Advanced Packaging vision is to develop and own leadership technology that connects chips and
chiplets in a package that matches the functionality of a monolithic SoC. High density interconnects
that enable high bandwidth at low power is essential to realize this vision.
To this end, Intel has developed 3 high-end Advanced Packaging portfolios: EMIB, Foveros & Co-EMIB.
EMIB Foveros Co- EMIB

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ERI PROJECT EXAMPLE: SHIP PROJECT
Foveros is ideally suited for low power requirements <0.2pJ/bit. It enables fine pitch interconnect and high bump
density compared to EMIB for improved electrical performance.

Foveros EMIB CoWoS

Bump pitch 36um 45um 40um
Bump density 828/mm2 560/mm2 1000/mm2
Power 0.15pJ/bit 0.30pJ/bit 0.56pJ/bit

For 10nm and below node SoC, design and manufacturing have become costly, complicated, and time-consuming
processes. For this reason, Intel struggled with 10nm SoC development and the production has been delayed
multiple times beyond the schedule.
Foveros enables heterogeneous integration by development of complex SoCs using a chiplet approach. It provides
flexibility to combine smaller chiplets of IP to meet the demands of a range of applications, power envelopes, and
form factors. SoC designers can mix and match IP blocks with various memory and I/O elements in new form
factors. Foveros integrates low power I/O and power delivery function in “active” Si interposer, and high-
performance compute logic die is stacked on top.Also, memory can be integrated in the PoP format.
Foveros is a 3D packaging architecture which can be mixed with existing EMIB technology to develop new
packaging technologies, where hybrid bonding can be leveraged. Intel developed Co-EMIB by merging Foveros &
EMIB architectures, where more high-density interconnects can be used using hybrid die to wafer bonding instead
of solder-based.

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DARPA PROJECTS OVER TIME
DARPA has a long history of advanced developments that can be used in civilian markets:
o Graph below shows some examples over the past 20 years of R&D developments that are today used for commercial
applications: RF MEMS, Inertial MEMS, FinFET, Cryptography, Uncooled infrared imaging, LiDAR, 3D integration.
o Current developments are continuing this trend with focus on quantum atomic clocks, photonics integration, RF communication,
AI/ML, heterogeneous integration, low power sensors.
o Future developments are more focused on “concepts” than technologies for the future soldier:
• Vision enhancement
• Audio enhancement
• Brain control
• Wearables, sensors for body stimulation

2000 2005 2010 2020 2040

3D Integration Vision enhancement

RF MEMS Atomic clocks Audio enhancement
Inertial MEMS LiDAR Uncooled infrared Brain control
FinFET PIC, optical integration Wearables, sensors for body stimulation
Cryptographic communications RF / mmWaves
Uncooled infrared Heterogeneous integration
3D SoC
Low power sensors
Radiation/bio- chemical sensors

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DARPA PROJECTS OVER TIME: FROM DEFENSE R&D TO COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
The majority of DARPA
Smartphones projects also have
Smartphones, game station, automotive civilian applications.
Computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, wearables, networks, automotive

HPC, networks, smartphones

2000 2005 2010 2020 Time reference 2040

Body temperature (COVID-19)

3D Integration Vision enhancement
RF MEMS Atomic clocks Audio enhancement
LiDAR Brain control
Inertial MEMS Uncooled infrared Wearables, sensors for body stimulation
FinFET PIC, optical integration

Cryptographic communications RF / mmWaves Datacom, telecom

Uncooled infrared Heterogeneous integration

Smartphones (2020) 3D SoC

IoT
Thermography, automotive Low-power sensors

Radiation/bio-chemical sensors Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 98

Geographic Differences
EU/USA/China
STRATEGIC ORIENTATIONS
USA, China, and the EU
There are three new defense domains for the USA, China, and the EU: Cyberspace, the Electromagnetic spectrum, and Space. In
this respect, the three main superpowers are focusing on the same operational environments. The three domains also relate to
communication and information.
• Cyberspace
• In May 2010, the USA created the United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) dedicated to cyberspace operations. The United
States Cyber Command is composed of components from the Air Force, Navy, and Army, and is dedicated to operations in
Cyberspace.
• In its Defense White Paper published in July 2019 (New Era of China National Defense), China has affirmed the importance of
Cyberspace. China aims at developing strong cyber defenses, building national network borders, detecting and resisting cyber
intrusions, defending information security and social stability. Related to this effort, the Chinese military has developed some of the
largest supercomputers, including the famous Tianhe II supercomputer.
• Electromagnetic spectrum
• In October 2020, the Department of Defense (DoD) has reaffirmed the importance of the electromagnetic spectrum in its
Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Strategy. According to the DoD, since commercial applications of the electromagnetic
spectrum are becoming more and more important for economic growth and prosperity, it presents new challenges as the
electromagnetic environment is becoming increasingly congested, contested, and constrained.
• China has also affirmed the importance of the electromagnetic domain for its defense. Complex electromagnetic environments are
now part of the key annual training exercises and competitions of the People’s Liberation Army.
• Space
• Although Space has remained non militarized for decades, this situation has changed recently.
• In December 2019, the USA created the Space Force, separating Space activities from the U.S. Air Force. 6,000 personnel have been
transferred from the U.S.Air Force Space Command to the U.S. Space Force.
• In its Defense White Paper published in July 2019 (New Era of China National Defense), China has affirmed the importance of the
Space domain for its Defense strategy. In 2019, China launched 34 satellite launch vehicles, and placed 70 spacecraft into orbit. China
plans to operate its own space station by 2022. This strategy may include counterspace activities to deny operation of other
countries in Space.

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CIVIL & MILITARY CONNECTIONS
USA, China, and the EU
For various cultural reasons, the connections between civil and military activities are very different in different countries. In the USA, military and
consumer companies are most of the time separated. However, in China, military and consumer activities usually happen in the same companies or the
same group of companies. In general, there are strong ties between military organizations and society. In Europe, both systems exist. Some companies are
highly specialized in defense activities while others have both civil and defense components.
Under pressure by the USA Department of Defense, which is concerned about the connections between Chinese companies and the Chinese military, the
situation may change in China.

Civil and military activities Civil and military activities Civil and military activities
are separated. can be separated or not. are entangled.
Defense commercial activities Defense commercial activities are mainly in
As an example, Dassault Aviation
are mainly in the hand of large the hand of large companies which also have
produces both military and civil airplanes.
defense companies. consumer activities.
For example, CETC, well-known as a Defense
company, is the mother company of
HiKVision, a well-known security camera
Nexter is a French company dedicated company.
exclusively to the production of military
equipment. Nexter belongs to the
French government.

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INFRARED SYSTEMS EXAMPLE: DIFFERENT LOCAL STRATEGIES
Infrared systems are a good example how Europe and USA can have very different approaches
regarding military equipment:
o USA is developing dedicated equipment.
• One device will be dedicated to one task.
o Europe is developing “all-in-one” equipment (for example VIS/SWIR/LWIR in a single goggle) BUT:
• This is an expensive system, very difficult to sell abroad.
• FELIN is typical case: Thermal Weapon Sight (TWS) for 400m range has been developed while usually
soldiers shoot at < 60m.

On the other hand, China is today becoming an infrared world leader.

o Driven by an increasing demand specially linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have profited from the
current situation and gained more volume market share compared to traditional players.
o Having accumulated better know-how in thermal imaging technologies, they addressed the domestic
appetite for body temperature screening cameras in 2020.
o There is an aggressive push from China. For example, for Guide IR with infrared detectors for high-end
applications, including military (Annual capacity: 18k cooled and 500k uncooled ).
o European and U.S. defense companies consider China as a very serious competitor in the future for
infrared as well as for other defense technologies.

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 THERMAL CAMERAS: BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

EU
Chinese are USA
blocked from China
selling
cameras to
USA
Beneficial for domestic Missed opportunity
U.S. camera suppliers. for Chinese suppliers.

HiKVision and Dahua, the biggest Chinese security and surveillance camera
manufacturers, are blocked from selling their cameras, including thermal, to procurement
officers, systems integrators or other government contractors in the USA by the NDAA.
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Market Trends
MARKET TRENDS
Introduction

This chapter describes the current military trends in terms of:

o Novel battle environments
o Dual-use
o DARPA approaches
o EU/USA/China

Market trends are described for:

o Infrared
o Radio
o Other technologies

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Novel Battle Environments
– Impact on the Infantry
THE EVOLUTION OF OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
Since the 21st century

Mastering the technologies in all • Cognitive dimension

domains of the operational • Information dimension
environment (OE) is key to win • Physical dimension
the battle. What will be the next
domains of the OE?
Information environment

Since the 19th century

Since antiquity

Since prehistoric times

Space domain

Air domain
Since the Vietnam war, night vision
enabled operations at night and gave
Maritime domain
a clear advantage to those with
access to infrared imaging
Land domain technology.
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NEW TERRESTRIAL BATTLEFIELDS
Future fights are likely to happen in urban areas such as towns and cities.
It will differ from previous combat open areas such as plains, desert, and jungle.

WWI and WW2: Vietnam War 1955-75: Iraq War 2003-2011: Tomorrow: urban areas
plains jungle desert (1st Battle of Grozny)
(Iraq War)
Specific challenges associated with urban war:
o Presence of civilians, difficult to distinguish from foes
o A 3D environment with buildings, underground infrastructure, enhanced concealment all lead to:
• A better environment for ambushes, snippers, booby traps
• A reduced efficiency for artillery and air support
• A limited field of view for firing
• Limited communications

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WHY SOLDIER PROTECTION MATTERS (1/2)
In the 19th century, the soldier had to have a cheerful aspect! For better camouflage, the European countries then
adopted neutral tones to dress their soldiers (with the exception of France which kept bright colors until the
start of the first world war, acclaimed by the French people!)

Infantryman of the 27th infantry 2020 fighter

regiment, 1914, Army museum, Paris. Fortress infantry outfit, 1940
An easy target for German snippers.

Today, new battlefields are present with new challenges (urban areas, smart cities, …) and the foot soldier has still
the same challenges:
o Situational awareness
o Lethality
o Survivability

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WHY SOLDIER PROTECTION MATTERS (2/2)
During WWII, the price per soldier for his equipment was $170 with a 41% ratio
of wounded in action to killed in action (1 killed to 2.40 wounded).
In the 2000s, the price grew to $17,472 with a 12% ratio.
Current research projects aim for a $28k-$60k price/soldier, again to lower
mortality...
The price for protection
$35 000 45%

40%
$30 000
35%
$25 000
30%

$20 000 25%

$15 000 20%

15%
$10 000
10%
$5 000
5%

$0 0%
WWII Vietnam conflict 2000 2020

Price/soldier Wounded/killed (in action)

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INFANTRYMEN FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES: 5 ISSUES
Future soldier technologies are centered around 5 different issues:
1. C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence): RF communications,
AR/VR, wrist-mounted displays, cryptography, voice communications (microphones),
radar,AI

2. Lethality (weapons and sights): night vision (uncooled infrared), enhanced sighting system,
laser rangefinder

3. Mobility (navigation, size and weight of equipment): GPS

4. Survivability (clothing, stealth, body armor): clothes reducing VIS/radar/IR signature,

embedded wireless technology, helmet-mounted AR/VR displays, exoskeleton,
radiation/chemical sensors

5. Sustainability (logistical considerations): batteries (Li-ion, fuel cells)

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10 MAJOR FUTURE SOLDIER PROJECTS WORLDWIDE
NORWAY
Normans (Norwegian Modular Arctic
Network Soldier)

CANADA POLAND
ISSP (Integrated Soldier System Project) UK ISW Tytan (Infywidualny System Walki Tytan)
Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) and
the Army 2020 RUSSIA
Ratnik (“Warrior”)
FRANCE
USA Félin (“Fantassin à Equipement et Liaisons
Land Warrior Integrated Soldier System Intégrés)

ITALY
Soldato Futuro

SPAIN
COMFUT (Combatiente Futuro)

GERMANY
IdZ (Infanterist der Zukunft)

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EUROPEAN DEFENSE PROJECTS
The average price/soldier is €30,000 but can be as high as €100,000 (FIST project).
Objective is also to lower this price: e.g., FELINv2 will aim at reducing by 49% the maintenance in operating conditions of FELIN
systems

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EXAMPLE: 1 FELIN PROJECT
The FELIN system project was led by the French Company Sagem
in partnership with several French defense companies including
Nexter, Thales, Renault Trucks Defense, ELNO, MSA Gallet, and
more. The FELIN started entering into service with the French
Army in 2010 and a total of 22,600 units were ordered by the
French armed forces.
Technical data:
o 24kg for 24h of dismounted combat.
o Includes FAMAS assault rifle, portable computer, a voice and data
radio, new combat clothing with body armor and a new ballistic
helmet, individual energy sources to recharge batteries, battery
chargers that can be off-boarded and a function synchronizing
information systems between the vehicle (SIT) and section leaders
(SIT COMDE).
o Sensors:
• Laser range finder + uncooled infrared channel for rifle
• VIS/IR binoculars with digital compass and range finder
• Bluetooth connection
• Bone vibration communication

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FELIN EQUIPMENT

FELIN SIGHT SYSTEM FELIN BINOCULAR

Sniper sight designed by Sagem Defense. It contains a direct optical path that allows The FELIN System includes also Sagem's JIM
day sighting and firing up to 800m. It also contains an un-cooled infrared channel for MR multifunction binoculars which combine uncooled
all-weather use. An integrated laser range finder allows the sniper to determine a thermal imaging channel, eye-safe laser rangefinder
firing distance or identify a potential target. Bluetooth connected. and a digital magnetic compass.

FELIN MAN-MACHINE INTERFACE FELIN BATTLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Man-Machine Interface (MMI) with a color screen and a personal radio linked to The computer allows leaders to exchange information (data, images,
the RIF (Infantry Information Network) and equipped with an embedded GPS and video, virtual maps) and communicate using radio networks. It is
an osteophonic (bone vibration) communication headset (2 osteo-headphones, 1 connected directly to the vehicle's SIT when used onboard, allowing it
osteo-microphone).
to synchronize operational data and download digital maps.
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CONTINUING FELIN, THE FRENCH « SCORPION » PROJECT
Project Scorpion is a multinational military modernization program which uses military-run
experimentation for acquisition of new armaments. Project Scorpion also tests new military behaviors
such as effects-based operations, network-centric warfare, and irregular warfare and civilian-military
concepts.
In France, Project Scorpion is viewed as a new means of practicing procurement by the French military,
in the same manner as the controversial Boeing-SAIC Future Combat Systems program, and British
Future Rapid Effects program.
o Project Scorpion supports the French FÉLIN infantry combat system. France views Project Scorpion as
“preparation for future land combat systems, intended to build an armaments program to support
[military] transformation,” to be operationalized as a “system of contact for versatile capabilities and
information networking.
o SCORPION stands for « synergie du contact renforcée par la polyvalence et l’infovalorisation » (synergy
of contact reinforced by versatility and information valorization).
o It aims at bringing more connectivity and collaboration on the battlefield.

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EXAMPLE 2: IDZ INFANTRYMAN OF THE FUTURE
In 2004, Germany’s Federal Office of Defence
Technology and Procurement awarded EADS
Defense Electronics a €10M contract for the
supply of 150 ESB lot 3 sets (15 sets, each set for
ten soldiers) of the IdZ infantryman-of-the-future
systems.
The individual infantryman is equipped with a
bullet-proof vest, nuclear, biological and chemical
(NBC) protection, night vision equipment, digital
navigation and communication, tactical speech
and data communication and a new range of
weapons.This also includes:-
o The Zeiss Optronics AN/PAS-13A (V) thermal
weapon sight for rifles and light weapons,
equipped with a cadmium mercury telluride
(CdHgTe) 40×16 detector array operating in
the 3.4 to 4.2 micron waveband. The sight is
easily and quickly mounted on a weapon
without tools. The detector is fitted with a
thermo-electric cooler. The image has 160 lines,
with 160 pixels on each line.

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US SOLDIER PROGRAMS, A CHANGE OF PARADIGM
The U.S. Land Warrior program created in 1989 by GE, stopped in 2007 and restarted in 2011, looks
at the soldier as a complete weapon system.
o The objectives are (in priority order):
1. Lethality
2. Survivability
3. Command and control
o The program uses a combination of COTS and current-issue military gear and equipment.
o It is a consortium of development contractors.

In 2011, the Future Force Warrior U.S. program was launched to envision the radical use of
technologies such as nanotechnology, powered exoskeletons, and magnetorheological fluid-based
body armor.

Today, ear, eye, brain and muscular enhancement are objectives of the 2050 Cyborg DoD soldier
program.

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$17,500 PER US SOLDIER!
Equipment value for one U.S. infantryman: $17,500 (WAR DOGS movie source)

Is it true ?
Yes, if he carries a Thermal Weapon Sight and Night Vision goggles, he already
owns equipment valued at $15,000! But he is probably an elite warrior!
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Infrared
WHY INFRARED IS SO IMPORTANT
Infrared has been one of the major focuses of intensive R&D as the ability to be able
to fight during night is still a military advantage.

The first prototype from Texas Instruments dates from 1964.

The first use in situ was during the Vietnam War, to give soldiers night vision.

TVS−4 Night Observation Device – 1st generation passive light

intensifier used only with night sky illumination. It had an 8”
aperture and was 30” long.

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DEFINITIONS
Infrared system: vision system operating in the infrared (NIR, SWIR, MWIR, LWIR). It
can be night vision / vision enhancement goggles or thermal weapon sight or clip-on.

Light intensifiers SWIR LWIR

Thermal imager: imager working in LWIR with microbolometer technology. It can be
night vision / vision enhancement goggles or thermal weapon sight or clip-on.

Night vision / vision enhancement goggles Thermal weapon sight Clip-on

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UNCOOLED INFRARED PRODUCTS FOR INFANTRY

SCOPE/MONOCULAR BINOCULAR RIFLESCOPE CLIP-ON/ATTACHMENT

Source LYNRED

PORTABLE VISION ENHANCEMENT THERMAL WEAPON SIGHT

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PORTABLE SOLDIER VISION ENHANCEMENT
Portable Soldier Vision Enhancement includes various infrared systems:
o Night Vision Goggles (NVG): handheld infrared binocular/camera.

o Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENVG): Monocular night vision device that fuses traditional
night-vision technology (image intensifier) with thermal infrared sensors. In USA, ENVG III
program also includes a TWS

o Joint Effects Targeting System (JETS): Direct-view optic system, night vision fusion camera (LWIR,
SWIR, ILL) with a laser range-finder, digital compass and a GPS receiver (previously called LTML).

o Clip-on Thermal Imager (COTI): Designed to clip onto existing military night vision goggles and
provide users with thermal images to complement the amplified low-light images that such
goggles currently provide. There are presently about 1M night vision goggles in U.S. military
inventories that could potentially be retrofitted with the COTI system.

QioptiQ’s PHOENIX-H MWIR googles (up to 11km range) Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 124
PORTABLE SOLDIER VISION ENHANCEMENT MARKET FEATURES
Market drivers:
o Better situational awareness for soldiers, reduced cost, size and weight
Product features:
o Average ENVG price: $10,000
o Imager formats: QVGA,VGA, XGA
Main trends:
o Reduction in size and cost, higher resolution to see at longer range, fusion system (I2+IR like ENVG, JETS)
provides additional function with low impact on total weight.
Market players:
o In March 2018, U.S. Army placed two orders under a $97M contract to BAE Systems for new thermal night
vision goggles and weapon sights under the army’s ENVG III and FWS-I programs. Both the ENVG and the
FWS-I are connected wirelessly.They use 12µ thermal imagers.
o In 2016, Leonardo DRS won an initial production contract for its ENVG concept, following on from a
$367M army contract in 2015. Leonardo partnered with aerospace systems firm N2 Imaging Systems,
creating an information hub through the ENVG display to provide rapid target acquisition.
o L-3 was awarded a $391M three-year contract from the U.S. Army Contracting Command to produce and
deliver its ENVG-B. L3’s ENVG-B uses white phosphor I2 technology in a dual-tube goggle.
o Other important players are Harris,ATN and FLIR.

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THERMAL WEAPON SIGHT (TWS)
A Thermal Weapon Sight is a device mounted on a soldier’s weapon, combining a compact thermal
camera and an aiming reticle.
o Thermal Weapon Sight segment is the largest Military Thermal Imaging market.
• Family of weapon sight: Individual soldier FWS-I, Crew Serve FWS-CS, Sniper FWS-S
• ENVG III: Evolution of ENVG II by combining head worn soldier goggles (NVG) and TWS connected
by wireless. Thus, soldiers could “shoot their weapons with reasonable accuracy from behind cover
without exposing their heads to enemy fire”.
o New generation:
• New generation of FWS-I thermal imaging sight with a wireless module for transmitting images to the
latest model of the night vision device, ENVG III.

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THERMAL WEAPON SIGHT (TWS) MARKET FEATURES (1/2)
Market drivers:
o Soldier’s awareness in dust, smoke, fog and total darkness
o Long-distance targeting and identification
o Versatility: dual-use as PVS
o Operational time: needs long life for battlefield use

Product features:
o Strong transition to VGA since 2014
o ASP ~$7500

Main trends:
o Improvement of SWaP-C: reduction of size, weight, power and price
o Stronger integration with other soldier equipment (ENVG III)
o Larger imager resolution (VGA and then XGA) for longer-range targeting, i.e. for snipers

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THERMAL WEAPON SIGHT (TWS) MARKET FEATURES (2/2)
Main market players:
o USA: Raytheon, BAE, DRS, FLIR, L3Harris.
• Raytheon is the undisputed leader in design, development and delivery of thermal weapon sights to
the U.S. Army, and to date have produced over 70,000 for the military. Currently under contract with
the U.S. Army, Raytheon is producing the next generation of thermal weapon sights that incorporate
the latest thermal imaging modules coupled with semiconductor manufacturing cost-reducing
techniques.

• In 2016, The U.S. Army awarded BAE Systems a $13.5 million order to begin producing the new
Family of Weapon Sights-Individual (FWS-I) thermal weapon sight for soldiers. Under the low-rate
initial production award, the company will deliver more than 100 weapon sight systems as part of a
previously announced five-year contract for the Army’s Enhanced Night Vision Goggle III and Family of
Weapon Sight-Individual (ENVG III/FWS-I) programs. The BAE Systems-developed FWS-I solution
integrates the company’s first-to-market 12-micron technology, which helps make its offering smaller
and lighter while providing superior image quality. The uncooled infrared thermal weapon sight allows
soldiers to clearly view targets more than 1,000 meters away. The clip-on sight can be mounted on an
M4 carbine, M16A4 rifle, M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, M136 AT4 rifle, or M141 Bunker Defeat. It
can also seamlessly connect with the ENVG III for increased survivability and lethality.

o Europe: Safran (FR), Carl Zeiss (DE), Qioptiq (UK), Opgal (IS), Elbit (IS).

o Each player is generally focused on supplying its national army.

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U.S. INFRARED MILITARY PROGRAMS FOR INFANTRY

Partners Budget Program Comments

L3Harris, Elbit Systems $442M ENVG-B ENVG-B use white phosphor image intensifier. It includes Hi-Res display, an embedded
wireless network and ARY algorithms that can interoperate with the Army’s Nett
Warrior situational awareness platform. Elbit already received initial $22.5M. Total
units will be 10,000 through to 2021.
BAE $98M ENVG III/FWS I New thermal night vision goggles and weapon sights under the army’s ENVG III and
Family of Weapon Sight-Individual (FWS-I) programs. Both the ENVG and the FWS-I
are linked through wireless. 12µ thermal technology is used.
Leonardo DRS $367M ENVG III Wireless transmission between weapon sight to the google, thus soldiers can
accurately fire their weapons without having to bring the weapon sight to the eye to
aim.
Harris AN/PSQ-20 Spiral ENVG (SENVG) system that fuses Image Intensifier tube technology and
SENVG infrared micro-bolometer technology. Separate battery pack for helmet-mounted and
hand-held use.
Source: http://www.spslandforces.com/story/?id=626&h=Night-Vision-and-Weapon-Sight-Programmes-andndash;-Quest-for-Smart-Devices

Lifetime of the technology is important.

As supplying the army is a long-term program, an infrared camera may be obsolete before the end of the program and
the full deployment of the technology!

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EVOLUTION OF INFRARED FOR INFANTRY (THE 2014 DARPA VISION)
Since 2014, DARPA has been working on Next Generation Tactical Wearable Night Vision that will harness compact wearable
HUDs with shared information for increased situational awareness with others in the squad or command centers. Vision is
similar to Google Glass (wearable computing technology with OHMD). The general idea was inspired by civilian developments
(e.g., smartphones).
Performance goals:
o Visual clarity of Snellen
o Snellen 20/20 at clear starlight to direct sun
o High brightness
o See-through AR HUDs
o 90° vertical and 120° horizontal FoV
o Day, night and obscured condition visualization
o High image frame rate
o Able to switch immediately from daylight to infrared
o SWaP better than commercial sunglasses
o Power > 25h
o ASP < $5000/unit for 1k units
Hardware:
o Low noise
o Uncooled infrared
o VIS-NIR-SWIR coverage as well
o Low latency (< 2ms)
o Information transmission
o 6A IMU, compass, GPS and handheld low-speckle SWIR illuminators and pointers

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EVOLUTION OF INFRARED FOR INFANTRY
The technical evolution of infrared imagers for infantry includes:
o Merging two infrared technologies: fusing image intensifier tube technology and micro-bolometer.
o Smart battery pack integration: by switching to a basic battery pack, only night vision goggles can be used. Future data
feeds planned into the goggles could be maps and information from smaller weapons and other information.
o Computer processor: merges the images of the thermal weapon sight and the NVGIII image. Considered the brain of
the combined system, it allows the soldiers to see the ENVG III images and overlaid thermal sight image at the same
time. By transferring the weapon sight image to the ENVG III the soldier will get an increased field of view of 40 degrees
as compared to the 18 to 26 degrees from the use of stand-alone scope of the weapon.
o Wireless communication between TWS and googles speed up target acquisition and weapon firing process by
eliminating the requirement to switch between devices (a soldier can accurately fire its weapon without having to bring
the weapon sight to the eye to aim). The wireless personal area network works with the U.S. Army’s Nett Warrior
system to use augmented reality algorithms to provide greater situational awareness.
o Laser ranger: distance at which it can make out a target.
o Integrated micro display.

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ITAR FOR THERMAL IMAGERS
Some infrared cameras fall under specific ECCN Codes (Export Control
Classification Number).
ECCN items are governed by the U.S. Department of Commerce “Bureau of Industry
and Security”.
Most countries can purchase uncooled microbolometer-based 9 Hz thermal imagers
without restriction.
This depends, however, on the sensor size and pixel pitch.
o For example, a 9 Hz 640 x 480 microbolometer camera with 17 um pixel pitch can be exported
to most non-embargoed countries.
o Thermal Cameras with Pixel pitch smaller than 17 um may be an issue. This is determined by the
U.S. Department of State.

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INFRARED IN INFANTRY
The Military market is dominated by cooled infrared technologies, and uncooled infrared imagers account for only
15% of the total military infrared imaging business. However, because of size constraints, uncooled infrared is favored
for infantrymen.
After bad years 2012 and 2013, Uncooled Military Infrared Systems market bounced back in 2014 thanks to U.S.
market stabilization and RoW market growth. Since these years, the growth has continued and is fueled by:
o New thermal imaging programs like ENVG III, made possible thanks to size and cost reduction of microbolometers with 12-
micron pitch.
o New microbolometer suppliers like GWIC, i3 system, Uelectronics, Dali that allow new countries (China, South Korea) to
adopt previously restricted thermal technology.
VGA resolution will dominate in these infantry applications with a trend to move to XGA.
Raytheon, BAE, DRS, and L3 Harris will probably continue to dominate the market due to large U.S. army needs. These
players will also benefit from DARPA programs like LCTI-M, which aims at developing low-cost infrared cameras for
military and commercial applications. This program will provide these players with key technological advantages over
their competitors.
Due to frequent military investments, and despite budget constrains, America is still the major global market for
military applications. Thanks to historically high military spending, U.S. thermal imager companies (BAE, Raytheon, DRS,
FLIR) have dominant worldwide positions.
o Military infrared camera sales are often executed via military contracts over long time periods, especially in the USA. For
example, in October 2020, U.S. Army selected L3Harris and Elbit Systems for $442M Night-Vision Tech Production OTA.
Elbit Systems of America said it received an initial $22.5M order under the OTA to begin low-rate initial production of the
ENVG-B goggles.
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Radio Frequency
RADIO FREQUENCY APPLICATIONS IN INFANTRY
Introduction
• Radio frequency is part of the electromagnetic spectrum operational environment. Radio frequency has long been
used for enemy detection, as well as identification using radar, communication using radio, and electronic warfare.
• For the infantry, the use of tactical radios is an essential element of battlefield operations. Tactical radios are used by
squad leaders and above to share voice, data, and video and help to increase battlefield awareness. They can enable
communication with airborne and seaborne platforms, and also networked weapons. Communication with airborne
platforms is critical to engage close air support.
• Key to radio communication is the compatibility in radio equipment. The compatibility must be assured with older
models, with radios of different branches of the military, and with allies. As an example, NATO has been actively
developing Link 16 and Link 22, the two main tactical data links of the Alliance. On the USA side, the first decade of
the 21st century was marked by the collapse of the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), a $15B program to unify the
U.S. military radio system.
• Electronic warfare (EW) is both the detection of electromagnetic jamming by enemies and attack on enemy systems
using the electromagnetic spectrum. In the Atlantic arena, EW activities declined after the Cold War. However, they
have recently regained traction partly through the activities of the U.S. Cyber Command. In recent years, the U.S.
Army has developed airborne, vehicle and tactical EW equipment. Moreover, we are witnessing a convergence
between electronic warfare and cyberspace operations. The military is getting ready to operate in the radio
frequency domain, to the internet and even social media, in order to deny access to the electromagnetic
environment to enemies, or wage psychological and cognitive assaults.
• Cyberspace as a whole could be the next major operational environment of the military, from radio frequencies to
social networks.

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COMMUNICATION ON THE BATTLEFIELD
Link 22 is a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) secure
radio system that provides Beyond Line-Of-Sight (BLOS)
communications. It interconnects air, surface, subsurface, and
ground-based tactical data systems to exchange tactical data.
Link 22 will replace Link 11 which has similar purposes.

Link 16 used by NATO

Link 16 is a network used by NATO. It allows the

exchange of information between ships, aircraft,
ground forces, missile defense systems, command and
control centers as well as networked weapons such
as the SDB II and AGM-154 glide bombs.
Link 16 permits the exchange of text and images and
results in exchanges in the tactical environment in
near-real time.

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INFANTRY TACTICS
Increasing the distance between infantrymen

Until World War I, the infantry

formation has been compact, as can
be seen in the Roman army and the
Napoleon Great Army. World War I
has seen the shift in many military
tactics, one of which was an increase
in the distance between infantrymen.
Since then, this distance has continued Roman army at the beginning Napoleon Great Army at the British soldiers during the
of the first millennium beginning of the 19th Battle of the Somme, World
to increase during the Vietnam War Century War 1, November 1916.
and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This increase in the distance between
infantrymen has created the need for
new communication capabilities made
possible through progress in radio
wave technology.
Other factors have influenced the
need for new communication U.S. Marine Corps soldiers
technologies: Larger battlefields and during Operation Enduring
airborne assets. Freedom in 2001.

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MAIN TYPES OF U.S. ARMY RADIOS
Example of platoon organization in the U.S. Army
• Tactical radio
• Tactical radios are a necessity for soldiers during military
operations. Squad leaders and higher use tactical radios to
communicate and share a common view of the operational
environment. Tactical radios provide soldiers with the ability to
send and receive voice, data, and video communication.Tactical
radio systems are the primary means for soldiers to
communicate during operations.
• Land mobile radio
• The land mobile radio is the primary tactical system used for
communications in garrison. The land mobile radio supports
administrative activities for public safety organizations in
garrison. The land mobile radio enhances communication
interoperability with state and local agencies when conducting
homeland defense or defense support of civil authorities’
missions. The land mobile radio provides non-secure logistics
and administrative communications to first responders. These
radios are not addressed in this report.
• Combat survivor evader locator
• The Combat Survivor Evader Locator (CSEL) radio provides
the capabilities required for locating and rescuing downed
aircrew members using SATCOM. The CSEL radio is the
primary search and rescue system used by special operations
forces and aviation units. These radios are not addressed in this
report.

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TACTICAL RADIO USAGE

Handheld Manpack Vehicle mounted

Can be held in the hands Can be carried by a single person

Airborne Shipborne

Ground stations

MIDS-LVT 2 by
ViaSat
AN/PRC-161 by ViaSat

AN/PRC-158 (Falcon IV) by L3Harris

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COMPATIBILITY OF RADIO EQUIPMENT
Need for extended compatibility

• Compatibility across equipment generations

• New radio equipment must be compatible with older devices. Since it can take several decades for all
radio equipment to be replaced in the military, newer models have to be compatible with old
technologies.
• Compatibility across the military
• Radio equipment must be compatible across different systems which interact between each other. For
example, the new BATS-D radio - a handheld radio from ViaSat for air support - is compatible with
Link 16.
• Compatibility with allies
• Compatibility of radios with allies have led NATO to develop unified technologies for radio such as
Link 11 which is now being replaced by Link 22.

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RADIO FREQUENCY: ELECTRONIC WARFARE
Operating in Cyberspace

Although the cyberspace also refers to computer networks and

hacking, and electronic warfare is operated by airborne platforms,
the U.S. Army is also considering fighting in cyberspace and engaging
its infantry in electronic warfare.
After a decay following the end of the Cold War, electronic warfare
in the USA has been experiencing a resurgence in recent years. The
U.S. Army has announced plans to develop electronic warfare,
especially in the European theater.The resurgence of electronic
warfare for the U.S. Army is following two main paths:
• A jamming pod called the Multi-Functional Electronic
Warfare Air Large or MFEW Air Large mounted on an
unmanned aircraft, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. The MFEW Air
Large is developed by Lockheed Martin.
• The Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) and the Tactical Cyber
Equipment (TCE) which are ground-based with the goal of
operating, and detecting, electronic warfare activities.
The U.S. Army plans to engage in operations in cyberspace in a way Staff Sgt. Kristoffer Perez, Cyber Electromagnetic Activities section, 1st Armored
similar to that of the Navy Delta Force. Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, points toward a nearby objective during a
training with his section's new electronic warfare equipment. (Courtesy of U.S. Army)

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FROM COMMUNICATION TO INFORMATION
From mass media to information soldiers

The ultimate purpose of war is

psychological, being to bend the will of
the enemy. One domain to operate in
is the information environment which
encompasses the physical, information,
and cognitive dimensions.
Communication and information share
some physical properties since they
both evolve in the electromagnetic
environment and cyberspace.
The Vietnam War saw During the Fallujah battle Internet is becoming a
With the increase of the importance of major protests against the in November 2004, despite new battleground. One
the Internet and, more recently, of war supported by popular a clear advantage in fire aspect is the hacking of
social media across all society, figures such as John power, the U.S. Marine key websites such as the
Lennon and Yoko Ono. The Corps was unable to cyber attack suffered by
cyberspace has become a major arena protests invaded popular capture the city. Several Georgia governmental
for military activity. There is also a music, books, movies, and civilian casualties caught websites in July 2008.
continuum joining the activities of poetry. on camera by journalists Another aspect is the
communication and information. and instantly transmitted information battle on
to news channels, created social networks with
Our report does not focus on a backlash against the humans and bots
information warfare and is limited to operation which was manipulating information.
infantryman communications. stopped after a few days.

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Other Technologies
(sensors, batteries,
exoskeleton, future
technologies)
Sensors
WHY BIOSENSORS ON BATTLEFIELDS
Biosensors will become critical for a soldier to analyze battlefield hazards and to monitor his own physical and physiological state.
Biological and chemical agents have been used for a long time.
o In ancient times, the use of venoms, plants and microbes were used to poison water and spread diseases.
o During World War I, Germany’s deployment of biological and chemical agents on the battlefield created conditions for other countries to develop their own
biochemical capabilities within their militaries.

The international community banned the use of chemical and biological weapons after World War 1 and reinforced the ban in 1972 (signing of the
Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) banning “the development, production and stockpiling of an entire category of weapons” - United Nations,
1972) and 1993 by prohibiting their development, stockpiling and transfer.
o However, chemical weapons such as chlorine bombs and sulfur mustard gas is still reported to be used.
o Allegations of chemical weapons use by Syria continued to be investigated by the OPCW in 2019.
o Outside of Syria, investigations were ongoing into the use of toxic chemicals from the Novichok nerve agent family (leading to respiratory and cardiac arrest
and finally death) in the UK in March 2018.

Nevertheless, the convention did not bring an end to their use. Although biological agents were deployed to a lesser extent than they had been in
the past, land forces continued to incorporate them into offensive means.
o Terrorism does not care for international conventions.
o In any case, land forces should be prepared to deal with the potential deployment of hazardous agents in worst-case scenarios given that biological and chemical
toxins allow enemy forces to minimize the strategic imbalances on the battlefield by contaminating food supplies and other facilities that can greatly damage a
soldier’s health.
o Neurotoxins are a rising threat, as shown by the recent poisoning of Alexey Navalny.

Thus, the use of chemical weapons has to be considered on battlefields and specific sensors need to be developed.

Examples of structures claimed as Novichok agents Mustard gas First gas attack 1915
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BIOSENSOR CHALLENGES

Data secret:
Soldiers’
physiological vital
signs are highly
Operational sensitive.
barriers:
interoperability
Ethical issues
means that nations
surrounding the use
must send
and sharing of data
contingents to
on battlefields
coalitions that are
able to work
together Training: sensor
networks require
trained
professionals

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BIOSENSORS
Biosensors are not yet a significant market in size in defense.

But despite the ban on biological and chemical weapons, they are still reported in
some war zones and terrorism conflicts.

There has been development of bio and chemical sensors for commercial applications
for a long time.

Moreover, some companies (Aryballe, for example) are succeeding in miniaturizing

electronic noses. This will be beneficial to the development of bio sensors for
defense.

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BLAST SENSORS
In the wake of an Iranian missile attack on U.S. forces in Iraq in early January 2020,
110 U.S. troops were diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
Initial reports indicated there were no injuries, due in large part to the difficulty in
detecting and diagnosing TBIs, Defense Department officials have explained.
To detect whether troops have been exposed to potentially harmful blasts, the U.S.
military is putting sensors on body armor (https://www.businessinsider.com/us-military-
sensors-body-armor-detect-blast-event-exposure-2020-3?IR=T).
• The system involves three blast sensors, one for the head, the chest, and a
shoulder, that provide blast overpressure data, which could be used to determine
if an affected service member might be in need of medical evaluation.
• The program is still a trial program with more testing planned for the next year
and a half to two years.
• A total of 58 military units consisting of 12 to 360 individuals have been equipped
with a total of 4,408 sets of B3G7 sensors (BlackBox Biometrics 7th generation
blast gauges). These sensors are being tested as part of the Combat in training
Queryable exposure/Event Repository (CONQUER) program.

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SURVEY METERS
A radiation survey meter measures the radiation hazard one is exposed to.

Portable and hand-held devices can detect and measure alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.

These are battery-powered and of low weight for ease of use.

They are used for civilian (law enforcement agencies, civil defense, customs, border services) and
military applications.

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LOCALIZATION OF FOOT SOLDIER IN GPS-DENIED AREAS
Created by Robotic Research, a manufacturer of autonomy and
robotic technology, the system provides localization and
positioning data for teams entering underground facilities and
traveling inside buildings and in urban canyons. The system can be
used for robotic systems, UAVs and manned vehicles.
In January 2020, Robotic Research received a $16.5M order for
WarLoc from the U.S. Army Product Manager Sets, Kits, Outfits
and Tools (PM SKOT) to support forward-deployed U.S. military
personnel.
o The company will deliver the WarLoc units to equip four
deployed U.S.Army Brigade Combat Teams.
o The first batch has been shipped.
In a GPS-denied environment, localization information is filtered
opportunistically, and synchronizes all the nodes once
communications have been established.
System uses inertial sensors and dead reckoning.
The accuracy is increasing as more units communicate and share
data.

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TRAVEL ADAPTER
Warfighters are travelers and thus suffer from travelers’ ailments including disrupted sleep cycles and limited
access to safe food and water.
o Warfighters who have not slept well have lower alertness, weaker athletic performance, and greater disorientation.
o Current approaches to restoring wakefulness often lean on chemical methods that disrupt downstream sleep patterns
and lead to exhaustion.
o For sustenance, warfighters typically rely on military-supplied food, which is logistically burdensome and may lead to
warfighters having to consume local food and water that could cause otherwise preventable diseases, notably diarrhea.
Data from 2003 to 2004 demonstrate that 2/5ths of diarrhea cases among warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan required
medical attention

Through advances in medical devices and synthetic biology, DARPA’s new ADvanced Acclimation and Protection
Tool for Environmental Readiness (ADAPTER) program aims to develop a travel adapter for the human body, an
implantable or ingestible bioelectronic carrier that can provide warfighters control over their own physiology.
o The integrated system will be designed to entrain the sleep cycle – either to a new time zone or back to a normal sleep
pattern after night missions – and eliminate bacteria that cause traveler’s diarrhea after ingestion of contaminated food
and water.
o ADAPTER will provide a transient, non-genetic means of extending and enhancing warfighter readiness.

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Batteries
Li-ION AND “BEYOND Li-ION” TECHNOLOGIES
Li-ion has become the battery technology-of-choice for new battery projects.
o In new devices, customers increasingly prefer Li-ion technologies to older battery technologies (i.e., lead acid, NiCd,
NiMH).
o Maturing Li-ion technologies, greater battery availability from numerous suppliers, and decreasing costs lead to
increasing substitution of primary (non-rechargeable) batteries with rechargeable Li-ion batteries in a growing number
of devices.
o Other, more or less new battery technology approaches (lithium-air battery, lithium-sulfur battery, flow battery,
magnesium-ion battery, sodium-ion battery, etc.) are in development, but according to Yole’s analysis they will not be
able to seriously compete with Li-ion batteries in the coming years - i.e. their market will remain extremely small
compared to the Li-ion battery market.

Solid-state battery (with both electrolyte and electrodes in a solid state) is considered the “Saint-Graal” of battery
applications, promising high energy density, fast charging capability, and remarkable safety.
However, there are very strong technology and market challenges blocking the achievement of this unique
combination of battery characteristics, and of course at an affordable cost.
This makes the commercialization of large-capacity battery cells in the foreseeable future very unlikely. Solid-state,
small-capacity batteries can find uses in some niche applications, i.e. space applications.

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NO BATTERY REVOLUTION ON THE HORIZON
A battery cell is a very
complex device. Knowledge
in multiple fields is needed
Material Interfaces
for the development and
optimization of each battery
technology.
There is no big technology
Li-ion battery breakthrough
on the horizon.
Bringing new battery
No revolution expected, Integration Processes
Despite the development of just progressive evolution
technology to
“beyond Li-ion technologies” commercialization level is
by numerous companies and no easy task!
laboratories, battery
technology improvements
will rather be progressive on
multiple levels (chemistry,
Manufacturing
cell format and design, capacity
Equipment
manufacturing process, pack
design, etc.)
Knowledge from multiple fields is needed for the
development and optimization of each battery technology

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HOW CONSUMER ELECTRONICS IS DRIVING Li-ION BATTERIES

Non-rechargeable Rechargeable
Li-ion
Rechargeable batteries are increasingly used here instead of primary In consumer electronics applications, small-size batteries are used -
(non-rechargeable) batteries, such as alkaline batteries mainly small, cylindrical batteries or small, product-specific
pouch/prismatic batteries
NiCd
Li-ion
NiMH
Customers increasingly prefer Li-ion technologies to
older battery technologies, i.e. NiCd and NiMH

Device % LIB Wh per Li-ion Slim-profile battery cells are increasingly used to fit slim device design

+ + device

Li-ion battery demand in GWh follows the demand for consumer electronic devices and is
reinforced by an increase in battery capacity per device - and in the case of some
applications (e.g. digital cameras) by a growing share for Li-ion battery technologies

To be watched closely in the coming years: Since the battery represents a big part of device weight and
Impact of 5G deployment on smartphone energy consumption volume, high-energy-density Li-ion technology is sought
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 EXAMPLE OF DEPENDENCY FOR Li
Battery makers are more and more dependent on China for Li
Acquired
in 2014

SQM,
Albemarle, and
FMC are the
leading lithium
suppliers, but
Chinese Tibet Shigatse Zhabuye
players are Lithium High-Tech Co., Ltd.
increasing their
market share

Lithium material suppliers for Li-ion battery manufacturing (non-exhaustive list)

Source: Yole Développement
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SOLDIER PORTABLE BATTERIES (SPB)
Portable battery power solutions for soldiers or SPBs (Soldier Portable Batteries) are in the range 0.5kWh – few kWh.
As foot soldiers have few opportunities for recharging batteries, they prefer to have non-rechargeable (primary) batteries
that are more expensive but last longer on 1 cycle than rechargeable systems.
SPBs are often embedded within devices such as radios or night-vision goggles, and a soldier must carry sufficient spares to
replace or recharge these batteries as needed.

Field chargers Primary Li systems Rechargeable Li systems

Used for charging military batteries For integration into rugged
250W battlefield capacity portable devices or as standalone
350W for base operation equipment

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SPB MAIN APPLICATIONS
SPBs main military applications are radios and night-vision goggles.

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KEY CHALLENGES FOR MILITARY BATTERIES
“Because mission success and soldiers’ lives often depend directly on a military battery’s performance, the military is
willing to pay somewhat higher prices to ensure that its batteries will be effective in combat situations and rugged
environments.” SOURCE RAND Corp. report, 2014

Key challenges:
o They are crucial for military operations, so performance must be excellent.

o The primary driver of battery development and manufacture is civilian demand. But there could be potential
incompatibility of commercial batteries with military requirements.

o Most of the components are manufactured in Asia, which is an issue for some countries (e.g. USA). Therefore,
there are concerns about inland security and surge capability of the soldier-portable battery supply chain as
developing an inland secure supply chain could be complex and costly.

→As for other military devices, setting up an inland supply chain, strengthening R&D and promoting domestic
production of RSPBs are key.

→ New battery technology developments are key for defense. 39 major federal battery-related R&D projects
received $1.3 billion in funding between 2009 and 2012. DoD committed $430 million to 14 different projects,
while the DOE committed $852 million to 11.These developments could be used for SPBs.

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CONCLUSIONS ON BATTERIES FOR SOLDIERS
Within the past few years, primary lithium metal batteries have become commercially available and are now used in
soldier-portable applications.

The major advantage of secondary batteries is that they dramatically reduce the logistical burden of supplying batteries
to forward-based soldiers.

A rechargeable lithium battery can undergo more than a thousand charge/discharge cycles during its operating life,
thereby eliminating the need to purchase, store, and deliver many hundreds of primary lithium batteries.

For military efforts to streamline logistics and reduce waste, secondary batteries are clearly superior to primary
batteries.

Current military thinking reflects this, and army acquisition policy explicitly states that rechargeable and reusable
batteries will be used in new-fielded equipment unless this is “not practical.”

Possible future developments for soldiers’ energy generation include portable solar panels (that can be included in
blankets) or piezoelectric materials integrated in boot soles to generate power while walking.

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Exoskeleton
POWERED EXOSKELETON
A powered exoskeleton (also known as power armor, powered armor, powered suit, exoframe, hardsuit, or
exosuit) is a wearable mobile machine that is powered by a system of electric motors, pneumatics, levers,
hydraulics, or a combination of technologies that allow for limb movement with increased strength and
endurance.
Developing a full-body suit that meets the needs of soldiers has proven challenging with many issues such as:
o Power supply (internal combustion engine or hydrogen cells)
o Skeleton (steel, aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber, carbon nanotubes)
o Actuators (pneumatic, hydraulic, electronic servomotors)
o Joint flexibility
o Providing the appropriate amount of assistance at the right time
o Adapted to user size

DREAM REALITY
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EXOSKELETONS MAY IMPAIR DECISION MAKING
An MIT study has shown that by wearing bionic add-ons, soldiers are losing some of their attention
needed for cognitive tasks such as spotting an enemy, relaying a message or following a squadron.
• They have slower reaction times in a visual task.
• When asked to follow a leader at a certain distance, soldiers were less able to keep a constant
distance while wearing the exoskeleton.
The results suggest that engineers designing exoskeletons for military and other uses may want to
consider a device’s “cognitive fit” — how much of a user’s attention or decision making the device
could potentially divert even while assisting them physically.

A value proposition framework presented for military exoskeleton systems for a given
task or set of tasks. Baseline is defined as a system that can overcome the burden
imposed on the user by simply wearing the device that does not impose any new
penalties on the user. Core competency defines a system that is optimizing existing
capabilities. Advanced highlights a system that expands from existing capabilities.
Transformational implies a device that allows a substantial improvement in current
performance and enables the completion of new capabilities that were not previously
possible. Source: Consensus paper on testing and evaluation of military exoskeletons for
the dismounted combatant, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, May 2018

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Future Technologies

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FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES TO WATCH
Defense is driven by innovation. So, it looks closely at the consumer and civilian developments to
watch what can be exploited on a battlefield.
o Augmented reality is a technology that integrates digital information into the user’s real-world
environment. Augmented reality can aid in surgery in life-like simulations of war zones by receiving
guidance from surgeons through an augmented reality headset.

o In the longer term, direct neural enhancement of the human brain for brain-computer interface, interaction
between individuals and secondary assets (machines such as drones, weapon systems) and brain to
machine / machine to brain / brain to brain communication is on the roadmap of DARPA.

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AUGMENTED REALITY
A Purdue University-led study is the first to show medics
successfully performing surgery in life-like simulations of war
zones by receiving guidance from surgeons through an
augmented reality headset.
o The development is a joint effort with Purdue's School of
Industrial Engineering and the Department of Computer Science.
o The headset transmits a recorded view of the operating site to
the surgeon, who can then use a large-display touch screen to
mark up the recording with drawings of how to complete the
surgical procedure.
o Augmented reality helps the first responder see the surgeon’s
annotated instructions directly on their view of the operating
field.
Researchers at Purdue and the Indiana University School of
Medicine have been developing this technology, called System for
Telementoring with Augmented Reality (STAR*), since 2015.
o If smoke made the visualization too unreliable, the responders
could still do the operation when STAR automatically switched
to audio-only telementoring.
o STAR would need more durable materials before it’s used on a
real battlefield, but the software is now proven to work in
extreme conditions.

*The System for Telementoring with Augmented Reality (STAR) is an innovative platform that relies on table
and touchscreen displays, transparent screens, tablets, and color and depth sensors to increase the quality of
the communication between mentor and trainee.

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BRAIN INTERFACE
A brain computer interface, or BCI, is a device that can allow communication or device control without movement. Instead, a
BCI bypasses the brain’s normal output pathways of peripheral nerves and muscles and detects mental activity through direct
measurements of brain activity (EEG, NIRS, fMRI, MEG, etc.).
The most common example of use of such technology is the direct control of a computer cursor by a person or animal using a
BCI based on electrophysiological signals. A BCI allows a person to communicate with, or control, the external world without
using conventional neuromuscular pathways.
o BCI can be performed using technologies such as ECoG electrodes placed on the surface of the brain, but this method is too invasive to
be used outside of research.
o BCI can also use cutting edge bulky systems such as positron emission tomography (PET), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
or magnetoencephalography (MEG).These systems have a very high resolution and brain coverage but are very expensive.
o The technologies that are mostly used are EEG and NIRS.
Today, healthcare has the largest share of the market, and BCI is entering the consumer market through cognitive improvement.
Industrial applications using passive BCI will enter the market in the coming years and defense will follow.

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DARPA’S NEURAL ENGINEERING SYSTEM DESIGN (NESD) PROGRAM
As part of its Neural Engineering System Design (NESD) program, DARPA will fund
five academic research groups and one small San Jose-based company to further its
goals.
With $65M in new funding, DARPA seeks to develop neural implants that make it
possible for the human brain to speak directly to computer interfaces.
Among the six recipients, four are interested in visual perception, with the remaining
two examining auditory perception and speech.
Paradromics, the only company included in the funding, will receive around $18M,
which will be used to develop a prosthetic capable of decoding and interpreting
speech.
At the heart of Paradromics’ system lies a custom CMOS array of low–noise, high–
speed amplifiers to which bundles of microwire electrodes are connected. Each
microwire consists of a metal–in–glass fiber with an outer diameter of less than 20
µm.

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Players & Supply Chain
DEFENSE: MAIN STAKEHOLDERS
Almaz Antei
FY2018 defense revenue $9.6B, 276,000 employees
Lockheed Martin Tactical Missiles Corporation, JSC
FY2019 defense revenue $48.9B, 110,000 employees FY2018 revenue $3.5B, 9700 employees
General Dynamics
FY2018 defense revenue $24.9B, 102,900 employees Airbus
Northrup Grumman FY2018 defense revenue $13B, 135,000 employees
FY2018 defense revenue $25.3B, 90,000 employees Leonardo
Boeing FY2018 defense revenue $9.8B, 49,000 employees
FY2019 space and defense revenue $26.2B, 153,000 employees Thales
Raytheon FY2018 defense revenue $9.6B, 80, 000 employees
FY2019 defense revenue $29B, 70,000 employees Rolls-Royce
United Technologies FY2018 defense revenue $4.6B, 52,000 employees
FY2018 defense revenue $9.3B, 240,000 employees- Merged with Raytheon in Apr 2020 Dassault
L-3 Harris FY2018 defense revenue $2.9B, 16,000 employees
FY2018 defense revenue $8.2B, 50,000 employees

Defence Research and Development Organization

(DRDO)
Aviation Industry Corporation of China FY2019 budget $2.5B, 17,200 employees
FY2019 defense revenue $24.9, 146, 350 employees Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) - State-owned
China Ordnance Industries Group Corporation Limited FY2018 revenue $1.6B, 9,700 employees
FY2018 defense revenue $14.7B, 276,000 employees
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) Elbit Systems
FY2018 defense revenue $12.1B, 146, 350 employees FY2019 revenue $4.1B, 16,575 employees
China South Industries Group Corporation Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
FY2018 defense revenue $11.9B FY2019 revenue $2.8B, 7,000 employees
China Electronics Technology Group
FY2018 defense revenue $10.2B
Hanwha
FY2018 revenue $4.2B, 58,000 employees

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DEFENSE INCENTIVES
FY2019 National defense budget
• Procurement: $179.2B
• RDT&E: not official
FY2019 National defense budget
General incentives • 5G
• Procurement: $147B • Space observation • Implementation of AESA military
• RDT&E: $95B • Missile defense radars
• AI

General incentives • Hypersonic weapons Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National
• Nuclear modernization • AI Defense (COSTIND) – Equivalent of DARPA
• Space • 5G
• Missile defense • Response force readiness FY2019 National defense budget
• Procurement: $21.5B
General incentives • Robots
Semiconductor programs
• AI • Cruise missiles
• Anti-drone systems

Defense Microelectronics Activity: $10.27B Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects
Equivalent of DARPA, FY2018 $60M-$100M budget
General incentives • 5G
DARPA Electronics Resurgence • Cyber security • Implementation of AESA military
Initiative: $1.5B over 5 years • IOT radars
• AI
Eu Commission's 2 pilot programs
FY2019 • The preparatory action on defense research
• 220 employees • European defense industrial development program FY 2019 $500M budget
• 250 programs EU commission is considering $13B support for 2021-2027 period.
• $3.4B Joint European Disruptive Initiative, not active yet

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Infrared
IR FOR DEFENSE PLAYERS*
Inner circle are sensor
manufacturers
Outer circle are system
manufacturers

and many
others …
IL SWIR
LWIR MWIR

*Non-exhaustive list

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UNCOOLED LWIR BUSINESS MODEL AND SUPPLY CHAIN
Imager Core Camera
USA

INTEGRATORS
In 2015, Harris
acquired Exelis

ARMY
EU

In 2013, Qioptiq was

acquired by Excelitas
ASIA

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 FLIR INFRARED PRODUCT PORTFOLIO FOR FOOT SOLDIERS

RECON are night vision goggles

ThermoSight, MilSight are TWS

SWIR
FLIR RECON B2-FO
640x480 cooled InSb MWIR + color CCD

Light MWIR
FLIR RECON V
640x480 MWIR
Intensifiers FLIR ThermoSight HISS-XLR

FLIR MilSight T105 FLIR ThermoSight V4000E

640x480 cooled MWIR
FLIR ThermoSight T75
LWIR
FLIR Recon V Ultra Lite 12µm
FLIR RECON M18
FLIR RECON B9
640x480 Vox µbolo
640x480 Vox µbolo + LI FLIR MilSight S135 MUNS

LWIR + Light Intensifier

FLIR MilSight S140-D
FLIR T90 TaNS
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 LYNRED INFRARED PRODUCT PORTFOLIO FOR FOOT SOLDIERS

LYNRED is manufacturing
imagers and modules
SNAKE SW

SWIR

Light MWIR
Intensifiers

LEO MW VGA 15µm

PICO640 GEN2 (TWS)
LWIR

ATTO640
PICO1024 GEN2 (TWS)

LWIR + Light Intensifier

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 SCD INFRARED PRODUCT PORTFOLIO FOR FOOT SOLDIERS

SWIR
KINGLET 640x512 – 15µm

Light MWIR
Intensifiers
BLACKBIRD 640x512 – SPARROW 10µm
LWIR core 640x480, 17µm, VOx
LWIR
TWS applications
LWIR 640x480, 17µm, VOx

LWIR + Light Intensifier

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UNCOOLED THERMAL IMAGER MANUFACTURERS - GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

FLIR/ON Semi/TowerJazz (US) Fluke-Irisys

Santa Barbara/Pocatello/ Newport Beach Teledyne DALSA (UK) Mikrosens Magnity (CN)
(CA) Shanghai
LYNRED (FR) (TR)
Raytheon
Grenoble
SCD (IS) Dali (CN) Avio (JP)
L3Harris (US) NXP-Freescale (US) BAE IRIS (US) Haifa GST (CN) Hangzhou Fukushima
Mason, Ohio Santa Barbara / Austin Lexington Wuhan
i3system
The World Microbolometer Belt GWIC (CN) (KR)
DRS Technologies/Cypress (US) Beijing
Dallas Microbolometer technologies: a-Si,VOx, other technologies.

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IMAGERS FOR THE MILITARY MARKET: THE USA AND THE REST

U.S.-based RoW

Microbolometer
manufacturers*
Core/camera suppliers*

*Non-exhaustive list Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 179
MILITARY FOOT SOLDIERS INFRARED PLAYERS MARKET SHARES

IR systems for soldiers 2019 market share (est.)

BAE
Leonardo DRS
14%
L3 Harris
17%
Thales
1%
Safran
1%
1% Photonis
1%
1% Elbit Systems
2%
2%
FLIR
Aselsan
3% 17%
Theon
4% SPI
Sensors Unlimited
5% Excelitas QioptiQ
Raytheon
6% 12% Sionyx
6% 6% Opgal

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2019 FLIR MARKET SHARE IN INFRARED

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 181

FLIR – TELEDYNE ACQUISITION
In January 2021, Teledyne acquired Flir in $8B cash and stock
deal.
Photonis (FR) was targeted by Teledyne but the French
government did not allow the acquisition. Photonis is still looking
for an acquirer today (January 2021).

Teledyne and Flir together is a $5.0B company.

Teledyne and Flir combined will cover broad

complementary markets.
Flir specializes in long wavelength infrared (LWIR) which was
missing from Teledyne’s repertoire.
Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 182
INFRARED MILITARY PLAYERS
Key players worldwide are vertically-integrated U.S. infrared camera manufacturers which possess
internal uncooled imager manufacturing:
o BAE and Raytheon are the two market leaders, accounting for about 50% of the total market. Both
companies are present in the two main military applications:TWS and Driver Vision Enhancement.
o DRS and FLIR are the two main challengers. DRS was one of the leaders before 2012 but has lost U.S.
TWS programs in favor of Raytheon.

For formats higher than QVGA and frequencies higher than 9Hz, there are stringent U.S. ITAR
regulations regarding the export of infrared imagers from the USA → non-American military system
manufacturers purchase imagers from European suppliers (e.g., ULIS or SCD) or Asian suppliers, more
recently from GWIC in China or i3 system in South Korea.

U.S. infrared imaging industry has asked the U.S. government to soften ITAR export rules in order to
expand commercial business outside USA. It is limited to commercial products and not military
cameras (> 9Hz ).

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Radio Frequency
TACTICAL RF EQUIPMENT PLAYERS

*
*
*

The major military powers are

developing their own tactical RF
equipment focusing on tactical radio,
while also developing electronic warfare
equipment. Russia is the leader in World
electronic warfare equipment.
*Non-exhaustive list

*Also involved in electronic warfare applications Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 185
 GaN PLAYERS FOR TACTICAL RF DEVICES

RF GaN, which is
a key material for
power
amplification in
military radar, is
making its way
into tactical RF
devices as well.
Players around
the world are
investing in these
opportunities.

*Non-exhaustive list

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Other Technologies
 SURVEY METER/RADIATION METER COMPANIES

Companies
manufacturing Mirion
survey meters
are either
specialized
companies or
large groups
with a
radiometer
offering

*Non-exhaustive list

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 BIOTECH COMPANIES INVOLVED IN DEFENSE*

Biothreat detection
People monitoring
Smart textiles

Few biotech Therapeutic for vertigo

companies are
actually
developing
defense
applications

*Non exhaustive

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 BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACE (EGG) COMPANIES*

Very few are

currently
focused on
defense

Clinical applications (locked in

syndrome, rehabilitation, autism,
etc.)

Industry and defense

Gaming, AR/VR/MR

Cognitive improvement *Non exhaustive

(meditation, memory, sleep, etc.)

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Collaborating with the Army
WORKING ON DEFENSE PROJECTS
The defense industry plays a critical role in supporting various countries’ national security objectives
and driving the global economy.
Defense companies are high technology companies with missions bigger than creating the next hot
gadget for the holidays.
This industry is often misjudged. Usually working for a defense contractor means:

Long-term projects

Budget-dependent
Working on cutting-edge
contracts
technology

Defense budget are not

Doing work that matters unlimited as is usually
believed

No time and cost

pressures as in consumer

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KEY CHALLENGE FOR THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY: DO IT ITSELF OR OUTSOURCING?
No government (including USA) develops and produces all the goods and services its armed forces
need. Notwithstanding the presence (even in the early 21st Century) of a large nationalized defense
industrial sector, most Defense Agencies still look to private firms for the provision of the sort of
products used by the general population, such as food, as well as those emanating from high-
technology sectors such as electronics and aerospace.

In the 2000s, driven mainly by a belief that private firms working in a competitive environment are
more efficient than publicly owned monopolies, some countries have undertaken a significant program
of privatization of their state-owned defense-related industries.

Furthermore, many countries increasingly outsource the design, development and production of
defense equipment to the private sector.

One challenge associated with this trend is the securing of the supply chain.

DARPA has launched specific actions on this.

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SECURING THE SUPPLY CHAIN, DARPA ERI PROJECT
ERI (launched in 2017) is a 3-year DARPA project to secure the U.S. microelectronics supply chain.
o $1.5B investment.
o It aims at creating more interactions between fabs, foundry services, R&D.
o Moreover, supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have lent urgency to the DARPA
effort to secure the technologies of a “5th generation of computing” based on current cloud infrastructure,
while combining AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G wireless networks to deliver big data.
o DoD demand is < 1% of the electronic market but it drives significant R&D.

DoD funding aims at securing and reviving U.S. chip manufacturing.

o Intel example
• In October 2020, Intel was awarded a Pentagon contract for the second phase of an advanced
packaging initiative, called SHIP, or State-of-the-art Heterogeneous Integrated Packaging.
• Intel was among a half-dozen contractors during a prototyping phase overseen by the Naval Surface
Warfare Center, Crane Division.
• The contract provides government access to its advanced chip packaging facilities in Arizona and
Oregon and to its packaging technologies: embedded multi-die interconnect bridge (EMIB), 3D Foveros
and Co-EMIB. The SHIP program’s second phase will develop prototype multichip packages while
advancing interface standards, protocols and security for advanced substrates linking heterogeneous
silicon.
• The resulting prototypes will integrate custom chips used in weapons systems with Intel’s ASICs, CPUs
and FPGAs.

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DOD: FROM TRUSTED FOUNDRIES TO « ZERO TRUST »
From “The Trusted Foundry Program” to “zero trust”
o The Trusted Foundry Program (also called the trusted suppliers' program) is a United States Department of Defense
program designed to secure the manufacturing infrastructure for information technology vendors providing hardware
to the military.
o It was originally implemented as an arrangement with IBM in the 1990
o It was broadened in 2007 to include other microelectronics suppliers to increase competition and ensure the entire
supply chain could be trusted.
o Today, the “zero trust” approach assumes no device is safe, and that all microelectronics components must be validated
before deployment. The framework marks a philosophical departure from DoD’s “trusted foundry” approach instituted
in the 1990s, largely because “perimeter defenses” failed to account for insider threats. But trusted foundry program is
till active.
« Zero trust » approach:
Trusted foundry each IC chip must be
Trusted foundry project broadened to authenticated (« trust no
project with IBM other IC suppliers one, no technology »)

1990 2007 2020

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 DOD TRUSTED FOUNDRIES

This ‘trusted
foundries’
approach is
unique to the
DoD

Source DoD
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U.S. DMEA PROGRAM
The Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) is a Department of Defense
Laboratory located in Sacramento, California, which reports to the Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
o DMEA is composed of specialized microelectronics engineers and support staff
working in close partnership with the major defense contractors and the
semiconductor industry to rapidly develop advanced technology applications for the
warfighter. DMEA's microelectronics specialists produce solutions that support critical
active military operations.
o DMEA's research activities advance microelectronics technologies to support current
and future warfighter needs. DMEA's advanced laboratory facilities and unique flexible
semiconductor foundry enable DMEA's professional team to provide trusted high mix,
low volume microelectronic solutions.
Under the DMEA, The Advanced Technology Support Program is an IDIQ
contracting vehicle providing streamlined contracting access for all federal and state
organizations of the U.S. to contract with the Northrop Grumman Corporation to
develop advanced technology solutions.
o Total for electronics engineering and manufacturing under the Advanced Technology
Support Program is as much as $17.47 billion (2019-2026).
o Vendors include some of the largest U.S. military contractors: Boeing, General
Dynamics, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Systems and Raytheon
Co.

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CONCLUSIONS
Defense is the playground of giant companies that are able to set up a dedicated new
factory in a country where they want to address a market.

Examples of players are BAE Systems, Leonardo DRS, L3 Harris,Thales, FLIR.

Being a defense supplier is not easy. For example, in the USA, the trusted foundry
program selects the foundry partners.

The Trusted Foundry Program (also called the trusted suppliers' program) is a United
States Department of Defense program designed to secure the manufacturing
infrastructure for information technology vendors providing hardware to the military.

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Technology Trends
Roadmaps
TECHNOLOGY STATUS AND ROADMAP
Market status

Technologies will merge into

systems (e.g. infra red systems
will aggregate many technologies:
Growing

LI, SWIR, MWIR, LWIR, µdisplays,

market

RF
wireless, inertials)
INFRA RED

These markets will

market
Stable

BATTERIES
GPS
continue to grow – not
SURVEY METERS a lot of innovation

AI
Emerging

BIO SENSORS MICRO DISPLAYS

market

BLAST SENSORS,
AR VR
LOCALIZATION SYSTEMS,
TRAVEL ADAPTERS …
Projects have stopped except for very
EXOSKELETON ROBOT PACK MULE
specific tasks (not on battlefields)
Timeline

2021 2030+
Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 201
ROADMAP: SWIR/LI AND LWIR NIGHT VISION

SWIR or LI: Offers More sensors:

visible-like images for • Inertial sensors
scene perception and is • Optical sensors
the best solution for
identification. It can also
identify laser illuminators
and range finders, which is
important on the Lowering cost for
battlefield. SWIR + LWIR: Best wider diffusion
of both worlds.
Better situational
awareness.

LWIR: Awareness
perception; is perfect for
detection (heat
signatures).

Timeline
2000 2020 2030 2050

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ROADMAP: FROM RADIO COMMUNICATION TO CYBER WARFARE

1997-2011
2050
JTRS program
Convergence of
The lost decade?
communication, electronic
warfare, cyber, and space
domains

Cold war - 2017

Decay in U.S. EW
capabilities 2014-2016
War in Donbass

2019
Creation of the
U.S. Space
2010 Command
Creation of the
U.S. Cyber
2000 Command 2020 2030 2050

EW: Electronic Warfare

JTRS: Joint Tactical Radio System Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 203
ROADMAP: FROM EXOSKELETON TO HUMAN ENHANCEMENT

2050 cyborg soldier:

ear, eye, brain and muscular
enhancement through
sensors.

2000 DARPA
specifications: From exoskeleton to robot pack mule
the soldier must be able
to run at 60km / h while
carrying 100kg and able
to jump 2m obstacles

Timeline
2000 2020 2030 2050

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ROADMAP: OTHER TECHNOLOGIES

Brain interface

AR
Foot soldier IMU

Radiation sensors
Smart chemical sensors

Blast sensor

Timeline
2000 2020 2030 2050

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 ROADMAP: FOCUS ON BCI
The only systems that work well are those using invasive neurosensing methods such as ECoG or neural implants, or with high end EEG
systems, which is why the only systems available today are used in clinical research. Low-cost EEG system quality is still not sufficient to
be able to use this signal to control another system, but this will evolve in the next 2-5 years as companies are developing EEG helmets
with greater sensitivity.

BCI in industrial and

Currently the defense applications
main limitation (airline pilots, automotive,
of BCI truck drivers, etc.)
technology is
quality sensing BCI games
of the brain (immersive gaming,
signals. augmented reality,
etc.)

BCI for cognitive

improvement
(meditation, sleep,
BCI for clinical memory, etc.)
Timeline
2000 2020 2030 2050

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TECHNOLOGY STATUS AND ROADMAP
Foot soldier technologies will follow different paths:
o Exoskeleton projects to increase soldiers’ performances on the battlefields have stopped. The technical
issues are too complex for now and current exoskeletons make the foot soldier more vulnerable (slower,
more visible).
o Some technologies are already on the market and will continue.They are:
• Survey meters
• GPS
• Voice communications
• Batteries
o New technologies are emerging and are expected to become more used:
• Blast sensors, bio sensors
• AI, AR/VR, micro displays: they could be integrated into more complex systems (such as infrared
systems with increased functionalities) in the future
o Technologies that already have been used for a long time though with ongoing development:
• Infrared systems (merging of different wavelengths, growing use of SWIR)
• RF communication

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Infrared
 IR DETECTOR TYPES & TECHNOLOGIES BY WAVELENGTH
0.72µm 0.9µm 1.4µm 3µm 5.6µm 8µm 10µm 14µm 1000µm

NIR SWIR MWIR LWIR Far IR

MCT MCT Cooled: for more

Cooled

InSb QWIP
sensitive applications
(photon level), active
T2SL T2SL cryo-cooling is needed.
Technology

SiGe QW
NIR CMOS, CCD Pyroelectric (PIR)
Uncooled photo emission
Uncooled

Thermopiles
Pyroelectric (PIR) – LiTaO3, BST

InGaAs PbSe Thermopiles (Semiconductor metal)

Microbolometer (a-Si, VOx)

Applications

High T°C thermography Thermography Thermography

Active vision enhancement Passive vision enhancement (emissive)

(reflective)
Other commercial/military applications
Material analysis

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INFRARED: COOLED OR UNCOOLED, QUANTUM OR THERMAL DETECTION

IR Detection Imager types Principle Pros Cons Markets

• IR absorption
changes the device
Uncooled
temperature • No cooling • Limited performance
sensors have
• Physical • Relatively • Need for vacuum
expanded into
parameters simple packaging (for thermal
Thermopile, commercial and
(voltage, resistance, manufacturing isolation of the sensitive
microbolometers, consumer
Thermal IR pyroelectric, ferro
electrical process elements)
markets such as
polarization) are • Lightweight, • Slow response (msec)
electric, bi metals thermography,
affected by the compact cameras • Moderate detection
surveillance,
change in device • Low power (1/100 of cooled photon
automotive,
temperature and consumption imagers)
smartphones…
converted into an
electrical signal
• Needs cryogenic
(liquid nitrogen) cooling
• Output signal is
• Good (avoids free carriers
proportional to the An imager for
Intrinsic (narrow performance (fast thermal generation
number of cooled arrays
bandgap using Hg, Cd & response time and competing with optically-
Photon absorbed photons costs $5k–$50k,
Te - MCT), extrinsic, excellent signal-to- generated carriers)
(Quantum) IR photoemissive, QWIP, • Imagers have noise ratio) • MCT require 77°K for
with unit sales
wavelength- of 100–1,000
QDIP • More sensitive LWIR, 120°K for MWIR
dependent per program
than thermal IR • Intrinsic IR are difficult
response
to manufacture
• Bulky

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INFRARED: FUNCTIONS AND MARKETS
Can be used by foot soldier

Function Market NIR SWIR MWIR* LWIR/FIR

(0.7 - 1.4μm) (1.4 - 3μm) (3 - 5.6μm) (8 - 12μm)

Maintenance 
Building inspection 
Thermography
Others (R&D,
medical, process    
control, etc.)
Military and others    
Surveillance CCTV   
Vision Automotive  
Firefighting 
Marine   
Material analysis Process control, R&D   
The dots represent the IR market’s relative size: 1 dot = low, 2 dots = medium, 3 dots = high
* MWIR is mostly used in guided missile technology: The MWIR portion is the atmospheric window in which the homing heads of passive IR “heat-seeking” missiles are designed to work,
homing in on the target aircraft’s infrared signature—typically the jet engine exhaust plume. It performs well in humid environments.

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DIFFERENT INFRARED WAVELENGTHS: SUMMARY

NIR SWIR MWIR LWIR

Wavelength 780nm-900nm 900-3000nm 3-5µm • Uncooled: 8-14µ
• Cooled 7-12µm
Principle Light intensifiers + Photodetectors Thermal imagers • Uncooled: thermal imagers
Photodetectors • Cooled: photodetectors
(CCD/CMOS with
extended NIR sensitivity)
Light sources Reflected light Reflected light (night sky Emitted light depending on T°C and material’s emissivity:
radiance) thermal detection
Detection InGaAs, HgCdTe (MCT), InGaAs, HgCdTe (MCT), PbSe, HgCdTe (MCT), InSb, HgCdTe (MCT), QWIP,
materials InGaAs on InP InGaAs on InP XBn-InAsSb, GaAs on InP, superlattices, a-Si, Vox
Superlattices
Resolution High Comparable to B&W VIS High Low
Range 800-900m 1 km 2-3 km 1 km
Cooled/ Uncooled Cooled (MCT)/uncooled Cooled Uncooled/cooled
uncooled (InGaAs)

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DIFFERENT INFRARED WAVELENGTHS: SUMMARY

NIR SWIR MWIR LWIR

Used for • Night and day vision • Reflective light gives • Long range (many kms) • Through plastic, Si
(minimum light shadows and contrast: • High quality images • Long detection range (100s
required) images are comparable to (cooled) of m)
• Low cost visible images in resolution • More tolerant to • Low cost
• High resolution and detail atmospheric obscurants • High contrast
• Great clarity on moonless than SWIR
nights (night sky radiance
emits 5-7X more
illumination than starlight)
• Can see through smoke,
fog and detect water/ice.
• Small size if no cooling
required
Pros • Mature technology • Identification technology • High range • Detection technology
• « Clear » image • Cheap optics (glass) • Low cost
• Can work > 200Hz
Cons • Can saturate • Expensive in low volume • MWIR is developed for • 60-70 Hz max
• Limited range TWS but it is still • Costly optics (Ge or
expensive compared to Chalcogenides)
LWIR
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DIFFERENT INFRARED WAVELENGTHS: DIFFERENT IMAGES

VIS SWIR
Utah’s Salt Lake Valley images with VIS (a) and SWIR (b) camera on LWIR band is better than MWIR for imaging through smoke
an air pollution assay. SWIR image gives clarity despite pollution. or aerosols, so LWIR is usually the chosen technology for
Longer wavelengths penetrate obscuring layers (haze, fog, smoke) military applications. It also has better contrast.
Nevertheless, for very long-range target detection over a
distance of 10km or more, MWIR has greater atmospheric
transmission than LWIR in most climates.

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FOOT SOLDIER INFRARED TECHNOLOGIES: WHAT WE COVER

Thermal weapon sight Night vision goggles Helmet clip-on

Light intensifier (ONYX) from

Multifunction LWIR uncooled Thales
infrared binoculars from Safran Opgal
X39 Thermal clip on FLIR thermal imaging rifle
sight mounted on a rifle shown with night
vision goggles and TMSLS laser rail system

Safran ECOTI (Enhanced Clip-On

Thermal Imager) IL+LWIR
SHARPEYE & EYE MOBILE: MWIR-
based hand-held thermal camera SWIR camera for SWaP-
FLIR MWIR thermal weapon sight (aselsan) constrained soldier-mounted
systems introduced by Attollo
(VGA, 5µ pitch)

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INFRARED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Usually, the platoon leader has high end cooled MWIR goggles to see up to 2-3km
o Leader of smaller units uses LWIR
o There is a trend to have one infrared goggle/platoon and shared infrared images through the
different unit soldiers
o Micro drones are being developed for this (both aerial and terrestrial): drones will change the
infrared imaging on battlefields

Cooled equipment is heavy: a soldier will prefer to have 1l of water than 1kg of
optronics!

OR?

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LIGHT INTENSIFIER OPERATING PRINCIPLES
Operating principle: Photons enter an image intensifier through its objective lens and travel through its image
intensifier tube where electrons are generated. The electrons are then multiplied and projected against a phosphor
screen, producing an image that can be viewed through the ocular lens of the device.
Handheld image intensifiers often have built-in infrared illuminators that provide a light source to produce
enhanced images in very low-light environments (which in turn can be detected by another light intensifier!).

A device may present a green or white image, depending on the phosphor

screen color. A benefit of the green phosphor image is that the human eye
is more sensitive to detecting variant shades of green; however, white
phosphor images may be more familiar to the human eye, which naturally
perceives poorly lit scenery in shades of gray. Preference for one type over
the other is generally user-dependent and may vary by application.

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LIGHT INTENSIFIER GENERATIONS
µA/lm

2000 Sensor fusion

900 Gen3

230 Gen2

150 Gen1

60 Gen0

1930 1956 Late 60s Mid 70s-late 80s 2020

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LIGHT INTENSIFIER GENERATIONS
Different generations:
o Gen0: early IR electro-optical image converter in the 1930s, used during WWII
• Based on AgOCs photocathode (S20)
• 60µA/lm
o Gen1: performance improvements, used during Vietnam War
• Cs-Sb photocathode: 80µA/lm (S25) 1st user-
• K-Cs-Sb, Na-K-Sb photocathodes:150-200µA/lm mounted
• Cascades tubes are developed devices
o Gen2: white phosphor technology, MCP
• Micro-channel plates (MCP) are invented Micro-channel plates technology
• 230µA/lm Electron amplification occurs within the MCP, thin disc with
o Gen3: green phosphor technology, improved frequency response millions of closely spaced channels.
• GaAs-CsO-AlGaAs (increased 800-900nm sensitivity)
• Use of a ion barrier to prevent degradation due to electrons/MCP walls interaction
• 900µA/lm
o Gen3+:
• Reduced film thickness (from 30 Angstrom to 10 Angstrom) thus lowering photocathode voltage
• U.S. military standard
o 4G:
• French company PHOTONIS released the first global, open, performance specification "4G“ (2014)
• Spectral sensitivity from below 400 nm to above 1000 nm
• A minimum figure-of-merit of FOM1800
• Light resolution higher than 57 lp/mm
• Halo size of less than 0.7mm
o ENVG:
• Light intensifier/thermal imager fusion
o Now image intensifiers can have sensitivity higher than 2000µA/lm

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LIGHT INTENSIFIERS, FROM GEN0 TO GEN3

Gen 0 Gen 1

Gen 2 Gen 3
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 COMBINATION OF MULTIPLE WAVELENGTHS
SWIR (or LI) SWIR+LWIR LWIR

Offers visible-like images for scene

perception and is the best solution Awareness perception; is
Best of both worlds. perfect for detection (heat
for identification. It can also identify
Better situational awareness. signatures).
laser illuminators and range finders,
which is important on the battlefield.

To understand the importance of the combination of the two technologies: in 2019, when L3 Technologies was bound to merge
with Harris Corporation, an anti-competition law hearing resulted in a request for L3 to divest its Night Vision Business assets
in order to avoid a U.S. monopoly in that domain (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/07/10/2019-14659/united-
states-v-harris-corporation-and-l3-technologies-inc-proposed-final-judgment-and-competitive). While it might not be directly
related to that, L3Harris has stopped internally manufacturing thermal imagers (microbolometers).

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COMBINATION OF MULTIPLE WAVELENGTHS: EXAMPLE
July 2020, Safran Electronics & Defense had its two first orders from NATO countries for a total of 14k units of
new Light Intensifier night vision goggles E-Nyx 830-960nm. These have an enlarged FoV of 47°, giving enhanced
visibility and reactivity to the soldier. Safran is collaborating with Theon Sensors (to date, 160 000 Light Intensifiers
systems have been shipped by the 2 partners). E-Nyx is compatible with ECOTI/ECOSI clip on from Safran. It
allows See-Spot capabilities (See-Spot allows the visualization of the laser spots emitted by on-board or off-board
designators for terminal ammunition guidance).

ECOSI (Enhanced Clip-On

SWIR Imager)

Night vision goggles E-Nyx from Safran in collaboration with

Theon with battery and ECOTI (thermal imagers) clip-on
ECOTI (Enhanced Clip-On
Thermal Imager)

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SWIR OPERATING PRINCIPLE
Sensors used in SWIR cameras function
similarly to silica-based CCD or CMOS sensors
by working as quantum detectors, converting
photons into electrons.

To detect light beyond the visible spectrum,

their photon-sensitive area is made of InGaAs
or HgCdTe.

Depending on the material’s chemical structure,

these sensors are sensitive to different
wavelength ranges and might require strong
cooling to achieve a proper signal-to-noise
ratio.

The most commonly used sensor technology in

the SWIR spectrum is InGaAs because it does
not necessitate cryogenic cooling, which makes
it more practical and affordable than MCT.

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MWIR OPERATING PRINCIPLE
MWIR sensors are thermal imagers using HgCdTe (MCT) as an absorber.
Below is an illustration of a room temperature operating graphene-enhanced HgCdTe mid-wave
infrared (MWIR) detector developed by NASA.

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LWIR OPERATING PRINCIPLE
Principle of operation:
o Microbolometers use an array of thermally isolated pixels → incident radiation raises the temperature →
temperature rise causes a measurable resistance change
o Two main materials:VOx and a-Si

Characteristics:
o LWIR band
o Room-temperature operation
o Takes advantage of Si technology (low cost, high yield)
o Manufacturing is done on the CMOS circuitry
o No chopper
o Linear output

A bolometer is based on the principle of sensing a change in the resistance, which varies according to
temperature.The mechanical arrangement of the bolometer is designed to maximize the response to long-
wave radiation and minimize any stray heating caused by the read-out integrated circuit.This results in good
thermal insulation to prevent conduction through the leads retaining the bolometer (source: ULIS).

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BEST OF MANY INFRARED WORLDS
IL/LWIR combination advantages: IL brings more robustness, longer
range, less latency, better resolution and easier to understand images

SWIR
1.4-3µm
High quality images

NIR MWIR
Combined technologies NIR/LWIR allow better target identification and
recognition, improving the soldier's mobility and situational awareness. 0.7-1.4µm 3-5.6µm
Thermal image is optically overlaid with the image intensifier output. Next Low cost
step is to combine the video output of a thermal imager directly with the Long range
High resolution
video output of an electronic output image intensifier. These new devices Mostly used for missile tracking
could then present a complete digitally fused image to an HMD in a device
known as the digitally enhanced night-vision goggle (ENVG-D). LWIR
Having the images in a completely electronic format will allow users to 8-12µm
transmit images to a command center for information verification or general
intelligence gathering and observation. Low cost

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THIRD GENERATION FUSED IMAGER
The AN/PSQ-20 ENVG is a third-generation passive monocular night vision device developed
for the United States Armed Forces by ITT Exelis.
o It fuses image-intensifying and thermal-imaging technologies that can be used simultaneously or
individually.
o Advantages:
• The AN/PSQ-20 can provide vision through thermal imaging even in situations where there
isn't enough ambient light for the image intensifiers, thus eliminating the need for infra-red
illumination.
• It can also see through battlefield obscurants such as smoke and fog.
• The combined technologies allow better target identification and recognition, thereby
improving the soldier's mobility and situational awareness.

Photonis Technologies and Device-ALab are combining their knowhow in light intensifiers and
thermal imagers in a new core, fusing digital night vision and thermal videos in real time, into
an ultra compact embodiment.
o This fusion demonstrator, incorporating an HD Electron Bombarded CMOS (EBCMOS) and high
resolution LWIR core, is a first step towards a technical partnership for both companies.

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SWIR IS GAINING MOMENTUM IN DEFENSE APPLICATION
SWIR is a complementary technique to IL and LWIR. SWIR is more for special operations.
o SWIR is good for identification and can be used both in peace/war time to identify foes/allies.
o LWIR is for detection on battlefields.
In equivalent market volume, SWIR ASP is similar to LWIR ASP.
o Although SWIR sensor is more expensive than LWIR, optics is cheaper (glass vs Ge for LWIR).
IL technology is step by step replaced by SWIR in USA as it is more adapted to high end operations.
SWIR advantages:
o At low frequencies (<200Hz), soldiers do
not feel dizzy
o SWIR allows to see without being seen
as no external source (NIR) is needed: it
gives surprise factor on battlefields.
o No saturation. IL can saturate when you
move from darkness to sunlight, not
SWIR.
o SWIR can see laser pointer.
o SWIR market is growing in USA and
South Korea – less in EU (budget issue).

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AGGREGATING MANY SENSORS
CYCLOP MK2: Ballistic calculator will automatically replace reticle taking into account the measured range,
elevation angle, atmospheric pressure, air temperature and humidity, ballistic characteristics of the ammunition
used, wind speed and direction. All that remains to be done by user is to coincide center of the aiming mark with
target and pull the trigger.
Protected against identification by Thermal Imagers, SWIR, Night Sights and RF detection

Thermal core 640x480 17µ Range finder up to 3000m

Sensors:
• 2 3A accelerometers OLED display 800x600
• Eye sensor WiFi & Bluetooth
• Magnetic compass
• Lighting sensor Integrated meteorological station:
• Elevation angle sensor • Barometric pressure sensor
• Tilt angle sensor • Hygrometer
• Gyroscope

Connected to a wrist band

with a vibration sensor GPS for target coordinates
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229
NEW DARPA MTO INFRARED PROGRAM
In 2011, DARPA launched a program to find ways to develop low-cost room-temperature infrared (IR) cameras based on
cell phone CMOS camera technology in which the imaging sensor, optics, and electronics are fabricated at the wafer
level.
o The program aimed for inexpensive, small, lightweight, and low-power-consumption, room-temperature thermal cameras with
state-of-the-art performance that will enable widespread use and distribution of infrared cameras in military systems for each
warfighter.

In 2015, DARPA launched an estimated $40m WIRED program to develop affordable wafer-scale infrared sensors
o U.S. military researchers are asking industry to develop infrared sensors and cameras for low-cost, large-format, and high-
performance imaging in the short-wave infrared (SWIR), medium-wave infrared (MWIR), and long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectral
bands.
o These infrared detectors must be able to be fabricated directly onto silicon-based readout integrated circuit (ROIC) substrates
at the wafer scale.
o High-quality miniature SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR detectors should be manufactured as affordably as the industry makes high-
quality visible-light digital cameras for cell phones and other small handheld devices.
o Cooled MWIR, and LWIR detectors with reasonable power consumption, moreover, typically require a cryogenic cooler, which
adds size, weight, power consumption, and cost (SWaP-C). SWIR generally doesn't require cryogenic coolers, but focal plane
array costs are still high because of complex processing.
o SWIR imagers are not widely available with formats greater than 2 megapixels because the size of the die as well as the resulting
optics become prohibitively large and expensive. Fast optics frequently are used for SWIR imaging, and scaling to smaller pixel
pitch could enable larger array formats and higher resolution with the same optics. Alternatively, system SWaP could be reduced
if the same imager format was achieved with smaller pixels.
• SWIR detector research zeroes-in on appropriate materials and wafer-scale processing techniques to produce focal plane
arrays with 3-micron pixel pitch without the need for cryogenic cooling or hybrid bump bonding.
• MWIR detector research concerns materials and wafer-scale processing techniques for 10-micron focal plane arrays
without cryogenic cooling or hybrid bump bonding.
• LWIR work focuses on 12-micron focal plane arrays without cryogenic cooling or hybrid bump bonding.

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Radio Frequency
THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM USED IN RADIO

• Several frequency bands are used in

military radio.
Military Radio Frequency Band
• HF is used for long-range line-of-sight
and non-line-of-sight communications
when satellite communications cannot
be used. The reflection of HF waves on
the ionosphere is used.
• VHF is used for small team
communications.
• UHF is used for tactical
communications with ship, air, and
weapons systems.
• Link 16 is a military tactical data link
network used by NATO for various
ships, aircraft, defense systems,
networked weapons, and command and
control centers.
• Link 22 is set to replace Link 11 and
complement Link 16 and operates in
the HF and UHF bands.

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TACTICAL RADIO TYPES
Examples from the U.S. Army

• HF radio Tactical radio

• They are preferred for long-range (hundred of
kilometers) wide area communications for voice
and data thanks to the reflection of HF waves on
the ionosphere.
• VHF radio HF radio VHF radio UHF radio
• They are used by special forces, platoons, squads or
teams. It provides the leader with control of
subordinate elements activities.
• UHF radio MBITR
• They are used for multifunctional information MIDS
distribution and tactical digital information link-joint
and enable ground-to-air and ship-to-shore
communication. Wideband
networking
handheld radio
JTIDS
BATS-D: Battlefield Awareness and Targeting System-Dismounted
HF: High Frequency Multichannel
JTIDS: Joint Tactical Information Distribution System manpack radio
MBITR: Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio
MIDS: Multifunctional Information Distribution System BATS-D radio
UHF: Ultra High Frequency
VHF: Very High Frequency

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 TACTICAL RADIO TYPES
Examples of radios used in the U.S. Army

Tactical radio

HF radio VHF radio UHF radio

AN/PRC-160(V)
Wideband
Multichannel
MBITR networking MIDS JTIDS BATS-D radio
manpack radio
handheld radio
AN/PRC-148 AN/PRC-152A (Falcon III) AN/PRC-158
(Falcon IV) MIDS-LVT 2 AN/PRC-161
*VHF capabilities included Class 2M terminal

BATS-D: Battlefield Awareness and Targeting System-Dismounted MIDS: Multifunctional Information Distribution System
JTIDS: Joint Tactical Information Distribution System UHF: Ultra High Frequency
MBITR: Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio VHF: Very High Frequency Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 234
TACTICAL RADIO TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATIONS
Example from the U.S. Army
Applications

HF radio • Long-range (several hundreds of kilometers) communications without satellites.

• Ground-to-air, ship-to-shore, DAMA TACSAT, civil, military, and multinational communications.

MBITR • Communications for platoon, squad, team, and company size networks.

VHF radio Wideband networking handheld radio

• Used mainly by some Marines and some Air Force elements.
• High capability radio.

Multichannel manpack radio • Radio for forward-deployed soldiers having SATCOM capabilities.

• Real-time data between a wide variety of users, including all the components of a tactical air force,
MIDS and when appropriate, land and naval forces.
• Voice, and data communications for tactical platforms and weapon systems including air and missile
JTIDS defense.
UHF
• Real-time Link 16 communications to dismounted and mobile soldiers at the tactical edge.
BATS-D • Bridges the gap between air and ground forces by providing real-time fused air and ground
situational awareness.

BATS-D: Battlefield Awareness and Targeting System-Dismounted MIDS: Multifunctional Information Distribution System
DAMA: Demand Assigned Multiple Access UHF: Ultra High Frequency
JTIDS: Joint Tactical Information Distribution System VHF: Very High Frequency
MBITR: Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 235
TACTICAL RADIO TECHNOLOGIES
Examples from the U.S. Army
Frequency band Emitting power Security Type
• NSA-certified secure up to top
HF radio • 1.5 to 60 MHz • Up to 20 W
secret security classification.
• Manpack

MBITR • 30 to 512 MHz • 0.1 to 5 W • NSA Endorsed Type 1 Triple DES • Handheld portable

• 30 to 512 MHz
Wideband • Legacy SATCOM. Receive 243-270
• 0.25 to 5 W
MHz, Transmit 291-318 MHz • NSA-certified secure up to top
VHF radio networking • High band (VULOS/Project 25), 512-
• 10 W burst for legacy
secret security classification.
• Handheld portable
SATCOM
handheld radio 520 and 762-870 MHz
• Wideband. 225-450 MHz

Multichannel • AM/FM, VULOS, SINCGARS,

• 10 W • NSA-certified secure up to top
HAVEQUICK I/II, and Project 2 • Manpack
manpack radio • 20 W for SATCOM secret security classification.
• UHF SATCOM
• NSA-certified secure up to top • Airborne
MIDS • 960 to 1215 MHz • 1, 25 or 200 W secret security classification. • Shipborne
• Command center
• Airborne
• NSA-certified secure up to top
• Shipborne
UHF JTIDS • 960 to 1215 MHz • Not available secret security classification.
• Command center

• NSA-certified secure up to top

BATS-D • 960 to 1215 MHz Link 16 • Up to 8 W secret security classification. • Handheld portable

*Typical characteristics which may vary depending on model. Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 236
SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO (SDR)
• Concept Software defined radio (courtesy of RTL-SDR.COM)
• Software-defined radio (SDR) is a radio communication system where
components that have been traditionally implemented in hardware (e.g.
mixers, filters, amplifiers, modulators/demodulators, detectors) are
instead implemented by means of software
• History
• SDR dates back to 1970 when digital receivers were first investigated by
the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
• The SpeakEasy phase I program (1990-1995) was to demonstrate a radio
that could operate from 2 MHz to 2Ghz. However, the results had many
failures.
• The SpeakEasy phase II program (1996) established a radio operating
between 4 MHz and 400 MHz in only fifteen months. The radio could
easily change between frequency and protocols.
• With the emergence of RF CMOS technologies in the 2000s, SDR
systems could be reduced to single chip with the demonstration of the History of software defined radio
BCM21551 processor in 2007 by Broadcom which would be used in 3G
mobile phones.
• Impact
• SDR has become a backbone technology of tactical radio with the ability
to address many frequencies and protocols in a single portable apparatus.
• Legacy
• SDR is now being used in areas such as Wildlife Tracking, Radio
Astronomy, Medical Imaging Research and Art.
• Cognitive Radio (CR) is an evolution of SDR. In CR, the system is aware
of the radio resources and needs, and adapts the radio services to match
them.
Courtesy of Elsevier

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ULTRAVIOLET COMMUNICATIONS (UVC)
Application in short-range non-line-of-sight (NLOS) communications
Deep ultraviolet is envisioned for short-range non-line-of-sight Electromagnetic spectrum
communications. Thanks to the high atmospheric absorption of
ultraviolet, ultraviolet communications has a natural low-probability-
of-detection (LPD) characteristic. Therefore, UV communication
technology is being studied by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities
Development Command's Army Research Laboratory as a
communication network for application in short-range urban
environments.

In January 2015, IEEE 802.15 formed a Task Group to write a

revision to IEEE 802.15.7-2011 that accommodates infrared and
near ultraviolet wavelengths in addition to visible light, and adds Establishing communication
options such as Optical Camera Communications and LiFi. network in urban environment

Frequency response of UV
LED from the University of
Edinburgh

He, Xiangyu, et al. "1 Gbps free-space

deep-ultraviolet communications based on
III-nitride micro-LEDs emitting at 262
nm." Photonics Research 7.7 (2019): B41-
B47.

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COLLABORATION WITH ARMY ROBOTS
Antenna arrays

As autonomous robot usage is increasing in the

military, scientists are considering using them to
create configurable antenna arrays. By having
antennas on mobile robots, and by changing their
relative positions, it is possible to modify their
antenna characteristics. This can be used to adapt to
the changing battlefield environment or to conceal
part of the communications.
Simulation of low-VHF
The antenna gain can be increased without parasitic array forming robots
increasing the output power to meet the need for
long-range communications. Adaptability is also
important in urban environments in which
electromagnetic communications are difficult
because of various buildings blocking radiation.
Electromagnetic radiation of a single, low- Parasitic antenna array created by a second
VHF electrically small antenna mounted on a robot with a passive antenna that mutually couples
ground robot with the antenna of the first robot
Twigg, Jeffrey N., Nikhil Chopra, and Brian
M. Sadler. "Communication Maintenance of
Robotic Parasitic Antenna Arrays." IEEE
Robotics and Automation Letters 5.4 (2020):
6475-6482. Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 239
ELECTRONIC WARFARE AND CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS
Operational elements
Several elements are
planned to be used by the
U.S. Army for electronic
warfare and cyberspace
operations including
tactical cyber equipment
(TCE), ground vehicles
with TLS (Terrestrial Layer
System) and airborne
platforms with unmanned
aircraft.

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ELECTRONIC WARFARE AND CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS
U.S. Army platforms

Airborne Terrestrial Layer System (TLS)

MQ-1C Gray Eagle Ground vehicles Infantry

Operating at the tactical edge

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ELECTRONIC WARFARE AND CYBERSPACE OPERATIONS
From VROD and VMAX to TCE

• VROD:Versatile Radio Observation and Direction

• VMAX:VROD Modular Adaptive Transmit
• TCE: Tactical Cyber Equipment
The three are tactical electronic warfare backpack equipment for infantry.
VROD can detect and understand electromagnetic signals. On the other
hand,VMAX can search and attack with electromagnetic signals. Both
were developed by the Army Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) and have
been demonstrated to disable tanks at distance. It is expected that 200
units are equipping the U.S. Army today.
TCE is a program to provide electronic warfare backpacks to the U.S.
Soldiers with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment training
Army by summer 2021. The TCE is intended to be used at the Forward
with the VMAX and VROD Dismounted Electronic
Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA) and uses swappable capability cards for Support/ Attack system in Germany. Courtesy of
electronic warfare and cyber operations. DoD.

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RUSSIA’S LESOCHEK
Tactical electronic warfare device
• Russia is clearly one of the leaders in electronic warfare and has
developed various systems, tactical, vehicle based, airborne, and
shipborne. These systems are able of detecting enemy RF signals as
well jamming in all the electromagnetic spectrum, denying
communications, GPS, command, control, and radar operations.
• In this context, the Russian Sozvezdie company has developed tactical
electronic warfare devices under the umbrella name Lesochek and
with references RP-377VM1, RP-377UVM2, and RP-377UVM3. These
devices are capable of blinding the control channels of mines and
explosives devices or blanketing radio signals from bugs.

RP-377UVM3
Lesochek tactical electronic warfare device (RP-
Frequency: 26 to 1,950 MHz 377VM1) from Russia Sozvezdie company.
Output power: 24 W
Weight: 7 kg

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 GaN’S ADDED VALUE

GaN material properties HEMT benefits RF System benefits

High efficiency
High voltage
operation Possible applications
Wide band-
Thanks to its gap High power
high electron High current PA
mobility and
other density LNA
properties, High charge Switch
GaN enables density Smaller size
several benefits VCO
High
for RF devices Mixer
and is making frequency
its way into High electron Wider Gain Block
tactical RF mobility bandwidth Phase shifters
applications. Higher Var. Attenuators
impedance
Temperature Ruggedness
tolerance
Lower
capacitance
Low noise

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CLASSIFICATION OF GaN RF DEVICES
Split by technology
GaN RF devices

Discrete GaN HEMT GaN based IC

Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) Front-End Modules (FEM)
• GaN discrete transistors or power • GaN MMIC solutions are • GaN FEM enables
bars are attractive for high power generally used for PA efficient monolithic
application at relatively low frequency applications. GaN MMIC can integration of PA, LNA
ranges. Discrete transistors are include two or more stages of and switch on a single
available up to 25GHz, but mainly GaN PA as well as drivers
integrated on a circuit. GaN PA chip for high frequency
used up to lower limit of X-Band. bands.
• Bare dies are designed into PA MMICs are favored at high
modules or pallets for high power RF frequencies above S–Band,
where high PAE and low RF
applications. losses become important.
UHF/VF L S C X Ku K Ka

0 1 2 4 8 12 18 26 40
Frequency
Bands, GHz
GaN PA discrete transistor

GaN PA MMICs

GaN FEM

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Other Technologies
OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
Technology trends introduction

Besides infrared and radio communications, both important issues, the army is also investigating other
technologies for the soldier.
They are:
• Chemical sensors, biosensors and wearables, for chemical threats and hazards
• Survey meters, for radiation
• Portable batteries, for longer missions
• Exoskeleton for human enhancement

Commercial developments are being watched by the army for their own use of chemical sensors,
survey meters,AR and portable batteries.
Exo skeleton developments are shifting from amor-like systems to lighter ones based on wearables and
sensors.

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 CHEMICAL SENSORS
Different architectures

NDIR gas sensor

Metal oxide gas sensor Pellistor gas sensor

NDIR & MOS

are the best Chemiluminescence
candidates for
consumer
applications
because of
accuracy/low FTIR gas sensor (source: Gasmet) ChemFET gas sensor
cost/integration.
Electrochemical gas sensor

Ultrasonic (acoustic) gas sensor Gas chromatography

Resonant (SAW) gas sensor
Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 248
CHEMICAL SENSORS
From single sensors to combos…
• The trend is to move from a sensor dedicated to one type of gas to combo sensors able to detect different types of gases.
• These combos must have a package that is open to the environment. This allows for particle, pressure, microphone, humidity, and
temperature sensors to be added.

PM Gas Dew Humidity Pressure Temperature ASP Techno

PM2.5 PM10 VOC CO2 Air

quality
/other
Samyoung X X X X X X X $6 - 9 IR

Paragon X X X X MOS/IR

Vaisala X X IR

Bosch X X X X $15 MOS

AMS X X MOS/IR

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CHEMICAL SENSORS
… to E-noses
• Electronic noses could be perceived as an evolution of gas sensors, but in fact they are more complex:
• They use different technology (e.g. SPR for Aryballe)
• They require more computing power The three drivers for
e-noses: foodtech, car-
• There is a strong e-nose demand for applications such as: sharing, and consumer
• Food tech: 80% of taste comes from the nose (10% from the tongue, 10% from the texture)
• Automotive: for car-sharing applications, e-nose can check the cleanliness of a car after being used
• Consumer (white goods): today no sensor can detect when food is ready

Industrial companies involved with e-nose

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BIOSENSORS
Biological agents can be divided into 3 categories:
1. Category A, agents with the maximum offensive potential.
2. Category B, agents that are deadly but inflict lower mortality rates.
3. Category C agents include emerging pathogens that can pose a significant health threat in potential future diffusion. Further threats
also extend to bacteria that have become pan-drug resistant.
The different technologies for biosensing can be classified in:
o Electroencephalogram signal detection. For example, smart helmets integrating
electroencephalogram signals to check soldier’s physiology (In 2015, scientists from Israeli
defense company Elbit Systems embedded a wearable biosensor in a fighter pilot’s helmet
that could measure oxygen levels, blood flow, and heart rate in real-time )
o MEMS and microfluidics for sample collecting and analysis of toxins
o PCC agents with physical sensors for wearables (glasses, textiles, watches, tattoos …).
PCC agents exhibit high selectivity and high affinity to specific molecules that can pose
threats to food and water safety.
o Colorimetric Response Materials

Link between biosensors and C2 network is also very important because: Elbit:Aero-Applications Canary™

1. Information about a soldier’s health is critical to the success of operations. Canary utilizes innovative technology to introduce non-
invasive, real-time monitoring of pilot physiology. Canary
2. It allows a commander to make tactical adjustments in case of CBRN hazards. measures the pilots' blood perfusion, heart rate and
oxygen saturation and provides them with an early
warning and training for hypoxia or G-Force conditions.

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WEARABLES

Electronic nose: Development from the Worcester

Polytechnic Institute (WPI) for a thumbnail-sized chemical
The company Cosinuss, based in Munich, Germany, is developing
sensor to detect dangerous chemicals with advanced ML.
Earconnect Technology, an earbud integrating sensors and functions
related to an applications use case. Cosinuss is developing systems
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has granted $6.8 for infantry for man down detection.
million in renewed funding to the Beckman Laser Institute &
Medical Clinic at the University of California, Irvine for
wearables to aid warriors on the battlefield:
• Monitoring of physiological information
• Adaptation of flow-enhanced pulse oximetry for
monitoring patients
• Creation of a compact blood-coagulation analyzer
• Enhanced surgical camera to identify burns and
wounds
• Invention of an optical coherence tomography
tool to diagnose airway damage U.S. Army scientists are developing self-indicating
• Validation of a hand-held, point-of-care wound colorimetric response materials that will help soldiers
imaging device with potential toxic chemical threat detection on the
• Development of an in vitro assay system for battlefield.
detection of traumatic brain and spinal cord
injuries.

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SURVEY METERS
Types of survey meters
Survey meters are used by hazmat teams to monitor radiation
exposure (dose and dose rate) and detect contamination.

They measure alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray radiations.

There are 3 types of survey meters commonly used:

1. Scintillation counter: it uses the excitation effect of
incident radiation on a scintillating material and detects the
resultant light pulses. They are quite simple and inexpensive
for alpha, beta and neutron particles.
2. Geiger counter: used for detecting and measuring ionizing
radiation. It detects ionizing radiation such as alpha particles,
beta particles, and gamma rays.
3. Ionization chamber: the simplest of all gas-filled radiation
detectors and is widely used for the detection and
measurement of certain types of ionizing radiation: x-rays,
gamma rays, and beta particles.

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SURVEY METERS
Different types of radiation
Particle radiation:
o Alpha particles, also called alpha rays or alpha radiation, consist of two protons and two neutrons bound
together in a particle identical to a helium-4 nucleus. Alpha particles are the least dangerous in terms of
external exposure. They don't penetrate very deeply into the skin, if at all -- in fact, clothing can stop alpha
particles. Unfortunately, alpha particles can be inhaled or ingested, usually in the form of radon gas. Once
ingested, alpha particles can be very dangerous. However, even then they don't typically cause radiation Alpha radiation
sickness -- instead, they lead to lung cancer.
o A beta particle, also called beta ray or beta radiation (symbol β), is a high-energy, high-speed electron or
positron emitted by the radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus during the process of beta decay. A beta
particle is about 8,000 times smaller than an alpha particle -- and that's what makes them more dangerous.
Their small size allows them to penetrate clothing and skin. External exposure can cause burns and tissue
damage, along with other symptoms of radiation sickness. If radioactive material enters food or water Beta radiation
supplies or is dispersed into the air, people can inhale or ingest beta particle emitters unknowingly. Internal
exposure to beta particles causes much more severe symptoms than external exposure.
Electromagnetic radiation:
o A gamma ray, or gamma radiation (symbol γ) is a penetrating form of electromagnetic radiation arising from
the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei. Gamma rays are the most dangerous form of ionizing radiation. These
extremely high energy photons can travel through most forms of matter because they have no mass. It takes
several inches of lead -- or several feet of concrete -- to effectively block gamma rays. If you're exposed to Gamma radiation
gamma rays, they pass through your entire body, affecting all your tissues from your skin to the marrow of
your bones.This causes widespread, systemic damage.

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SOLDIER PORTABLE BATTERIES (SPB)
Portable battery power solutions for soldiers or SPBs (Soldier Portable Batteries) operate in the range 0.5kWh – few
kWh.
As foot soldiers have few opportunities for recharging batteries, they prefer to have non-rechargeable (primary) batteries
that are more expensive but last longer on 1 cycle than rechargeable systems.
SPBs are often embedded within devices such as radios or night-vision goggles, and a soldier must carry sufficient spares to
replace or recharge these batteries as needed.

Field chargers Primary Li systems Rechargeable Li systems

Used for charging military battery For integration into rugged
250W battlefield capacity portable devices or as standalone
350W for base operation equipment

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SOLDIER PORTABLE BATTERIES (SPB)
Requirements

Field chargers Primary Li batteries Rechargeable Li systems

• Compact and light-weight • Light weight • Light weight
• Rugged design for field use • Stable output voltage during most of the • Easy integration into compact and light
• Simultaneous charging in extreme applications lifetime systems
operating conditions • Good performance over a wide • Excellent low-temperature performance
• Automatic battery type recognition temperature range -60°C/+70°C • High-energy density
• Charges different battery types • Low self-discharge rate • Compatibility with other military chargers
• Charges different battery chemistries • More than five years of shelf life is possible • Excellent charge recovery after long
• Capability to charge more than 50 military before use storage
Li-ion, and Ni-MH types • Rugged design • Long cycle life
• Quiet in operation (with covert mode) • Excellent passivation resistance, even after • Nominal voltage: up to 30 V
• Intuitive plug-and-charge operation long-term storage at varying temperatures • Nominal capacity: from 2.6 Ah to 98 Ah (10
• Compliant with MIL standards • Excellent performance below -20°C Wh to 2.4 kW)
• 85-265V AC input voltage • State of charge indicator • Maintenance-free
• 11-14, 19-24V DC input voltage • Multi-chemistry range: Li-SO2, Li-MnO2, Li-
• 4.0-36.0V DC output voltage SOCl2
• -20°C/+50°C operating temperature range • Nominal voltage/capacity: 30V/68Ah

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SOLDIER PORTABLE BATTERIES (SPB)
Technologies for SPBs
The figure below shows the gravimetric energy densities (specific energies) of current and emerging primary and secondary battery cells
of the various chemistries that are currently used or could be used in the future in SPBs.
o The major advantage of secondary batteries is that they dramatically reduce the logistical burden of supplying batteries to forward-based soldiers.
o A rechargeable lithium battery can undergo more than a thousand charge/discharge cycles during its operating life, thereby eliminating the need to
purchase, store, and deliver many hundreds of primary lithium batteries.
o Currently, many primary and secondary batteries that are used in military and commercial applications use lithium.

Primary batteries are

mostly Lithium batteries.

Li-ion rechargeable
batteries are well
entrenched as SPBs.

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NEW BATTERY PROJECT
In October 2020, the Army awarded the University of Maryland $7.2 million to solve battery technology limitations.
This effort also includes Argonne National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, the National Institute of
Standards & Technology, Graphenix Development Inc., Ion Storage Systems, the New York Battery & Energy Storage
Consortium, Saft America, Stony Brook University and the University of Texas-Austin.
The application technologies will include secure tactical radios; goggles with thermal and low-light sensors, rapid target
acquisition and aided target identification, augmented reality and artificial intelligence; the next-generation combat rifle;
unmanned aircraft systems; counter-IED equipment.
72-hour mission = 20 pounds of batteries/soldier!
In order to advance beyond the current limitations of modern battery technologies, the agreement will pursue several
research themes that explore the full extent of a battery’s capabilities, including:
o Extreme Charging – to facilitate the rapid return of critical Army systems to battlefield readiness
o Extreme Safety – to reduce or eliminate the flammability/explosive risk of batteries to the warfighter
o Extreme Voltages – to enable batteries which can be charged to higher voltages to achieve a higher energy density and thus
reduce the battery mass burden for the warfighter
o Extreme Evaluations – to better understand the inner workings of batteries and their degradation mechanisms, thus facilitate the
transitioning of advanced battery materials from basic research into the commercial cells used for Army batteries
o Extreme Transformational Innovations – to further enable these Extreme capabilities and promote the development of new
materials and novel battery designs such as solid-state lithium batteries
In addition to these goals, researchers will also examine existing battery systems and modify them to better suit the
Army’s needs.

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EXOSKELETON
Physical human performance enhancement through exoskeletons have been in development for years.
DARPA has been involved since the 2000s and in 2011, the Future Force Warrior U.S. program was
launched to envision the radical use of technologies such as powered exoskeletons and
magnetorheological fluid-based body armor.
However, a MIT study has shown that by wearing bionic add-ons, soldiers lose some of their attention
needed for cognitive tasks, such as spotting an enemy, relaying a message or following a squadron, and
are thus becoming more vulnerable.
So today, robotic developments are focused on robot pack mules to assist soldiers.

From exoskeleton to
robot pack mule

Solder enhancements are still in development (ear, eye, brain and muscular enhancement) but targeting
wearable and sensor solutions.

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MILITARY EXOSKELETON PROJECT EXAMPLES
https://www.army-technology.com/features/us-army-exoskeletons/

Lockheed Martin ONYX ($6.9m):

powered, lower-body exoskeleton that
uses electro-mechanical knee actuators, a
Delphy’s Exo XOS2 by Raytheon/Sarcos. The XOS2 uses high- HULC by EKSO/Lockheed Martin allows
suite of sensors, and an AI computer to
Boot provides pressure hydraulics, allowing the user to lift masses soldiers to carry loads up to 200lb (91kg).
boost human strength and endurance
localized support for at a ratio of 17:1. Wearers are given the strength to
the foot and ankle. lift 200lb objects for long periods of time and punch
through three inches of wood.

In 2019, the U.S.

Army's TALOS
exoskeleton project
was put on hold
TALOS suit by USSOCOM: program has been terminated due
to lack of funding and issues with powering the 600lb-700lb suit.
Project aimed at developing anti-ballistic full-body armor and Operational Exoskeleton (OX) by
Wyss Exosuit by Wyss Institute & DARPA. Australia’s DSTO. A 3 kg passive, soft exosuit
visual augmentation, with a high level of situational awareness via
Light multi-joint soft exosuit made of textile design with the specific purpose of decreasing
multiple sensors by giving the user access to next-gen displays,
components adding power at the waist, hips, thighs the strain on dismounted infantry
and communicative functions.
and calves
Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 260
COMMERCIAL EXOSKELETON APPLICATIONS
Rehabilitation:
Robots are also used for rehabilitation purposes, such as in stroke patients, spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative diseases and severe limb injuries. Patients need
to learn to re-use their arms, hands or legs and robotics can help them to achieve this goal.
There are different types of rehabilitation robots, depending on the body part to support/that needs rehabilitation:
• Lower limb, upper limb.
• Wearable (orthosis…) or fixed equipment (treadmill…).
• Active devices (help to move), passive devices (actuators for resistance only), haptic feedback (sense of touch).

Lokomat fixed lower-limb Keeogo lower-limb REX lower-limb Wilmington fixed upper-limb
exoskeleton by Hocoma exoskeleton by B-Temia exoskeleton by Rex Bionics exoskeleton by Broadened Horizons
Industry:
In 2020, Sarcos raised $ 40 million to market its motorized industrial exoskeleton. Guardian XO can lift up to 90 kilograms and divides the weight of its
operator by 20.The goal is to increase the physical capacities of the employees while avoiding injury.
Operating on batteries, the Guardian XO is aimed at a myriad of sectors: aviation, manufacturing, logistics, oil and gas, construction, defense… The Marines and
the American airline Delta Air Lines are currently testing the product.
Commercialization is planned for 2021.

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2050+ Soldier Technologies
2050+ SOLDIER TECHNOLOGIES
Technology trends introduction
The soldier of tomorrow is likely to be more based on Human/Machine fusion
technology than on wearing heavy gear and the use of exoskeletons.
The Defense industry defines major priorities years in advance. Even if technology is
not ready, the 2050 Cyborg DoD soldier program is based on prioritized capabilities:
o Situational awareness
o Strength and speed
o Imaging and sight
o Communication
o Physiology (endurance/sleep/health)
o Virtual (avatar) control
o Attention and memory
o Learning
o Olfaction

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 FUTURE SCENARIOS
Technological optimization and concentration of power

Depending on
the power
concentration
(lower scale),
different type
of conflicts
can emerge.

Courtesy of U.S. Army Futures Command

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 264
 THE 2050 WARRIOR
Ocular Enhancement for Imaging, Sight and Situational Awareness
Direct Neural
Direct Neural Enhancement
Enhancement of the Human
of the Human • Enhancing individual vision beyond the visible spectrum
Brain
Brain • More computational capabilities
• •Neural implants
Neural for for
implants brain-computer
brain-computerinterface
interface • Data sharing
• •Seamless interaction
Seamless between
interaction individuals
between andand
individuals
secondary assets (machines suchsuch
as drones,
→ for 2050 battlefields: dense,
secondary assets (machines as drones,
weapon
weaponsystems)
systems) urban, environments and
• •Brain to machine
Brain / machine
to machine to brain
/ machine / brain
to brain to to
/ brain megacities.
brain communication
brain Auditory Enhancement for Communication
→ for use of remote weapon and Protection
systems and unmanned vehicles. • Direct replacement or modification of the middle-
ear bones and the cochlea
• Protect or filter overexposure and increase
sensitivity to low-amplitude sounds
Restoration and Programmed Muscular • Expand sensory perception (infrasonic, ultrasonic)
Control through an Optogenetic Bodysuit
Sensor Web → for advanced communication,
• Network of subcutaneous optical sensors to reducing battlefield-associated
stimulate muscles/nerves hearing loss.
• Coupling with external sensors (wearables)
→ to decrease injury and mortality rates.
Inspired from DoD

Future Soldier Technologies 2021 | Report | www.yole.fr | ©2021 265

Outlook
CONCLUSIONS
For the infantry, a high level of technology is directly correlated to the survivability of the foot soldier, and is centered around 5 topics
with associated technologies:
o C4I (command, control, communications, computers and intelligence): RF communications, AR/VR, wrist-mounted displays, cryptography, voice
communications (microphones), radar,AI
o lethality (weapons and sights): night vision (uncooled infrared), enhanced sighting system, laser rangefinder
o mobility (navigation, size and weight of equipment): GPS
o survivability (clothing, stealth, body armor): clothes reducing VIS/radar/IR signature, embedded wireless technology, helmet-mounted AR/VR displays,
exoskeleton, radiation/chemical sensors
o sustainability (logistical considerations): batteries (Li-ion, fuel cells)
Moreover, new types of battlefields (urban areas, smart cities, …) bring new challenges to the infantry for improved situational awareness,
lethality and survivability.
But the defense sector has its own logic, driven by unpredictable events.
Market growth is linked to national programs and conflicts and has a very different logic compared to a civilian market, such as
smartphones or automotive. To address new markets, a company has to set up a factory in the country in which they want to sell their
equipment.
The market for the technologies investigated (infrared, RF, sensors, batteries) is estimated to be worth $9.1B in 2020, reaching $12.4B in
2025 and $17.5B in 2030.
Infrared is aggregating many technologies around night vision goggles and thermal weapon sights, such as merging two infrared
technologies, smart battery pack integration, computer processor, wireless communication, laser ranger and integrated micro display.
Dual-use is also an interesting approach to exploit civilian developments for defense. DARPA has a long history of forging public-private
technology partnerships, focusing on high-risk R&D.
The future might see the convergence of the cyberspace and space domains, and electronic warfare. Soldiers will fight over the entire
electromagnetic spectrum, on the internet and social networks, waging psychological and cognitive conflicts.

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