The Bundeswehr is recruiting more infantry soldiers of the future

Rheinmetall has won a major contract from the Bundeswehr with a gross value of 370 million EUR (net: 310 million EUR). The Düsseldorf-based technology company is to deliver 68 sets of the highly modern soldier system "Infantryman of the Future - Enhanced System" to the armed forces. The contract has now been signed with the Koblenz Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw). Delivery to the troops will begin in 2018 and will be completed by the end of 2020.

The modular combat equipment "Infantryman of the Future-Enhanced System" (IdZ-ES) integrates dismounted soldiers into networked operational command. As "boots on the ground," they detect, recognize, and identify targets and engage them - either through their own weapons or through other effectors of the Reconnaissance-Command-Effects system. The rapid, precise, appropriate engagement of targets contributes not only to the protection of own forces but also to the protection of the population and the prevention of collateral damage. IdZ-ES has been in use in Afghanistan since summer 2013.
Since 2012, the Bundeswehr has procured a total of 90 systems for equipping each group of ten men in three lots. The focus of the current contract is on the company. With the 68 company systems, over 2460 soldiers can be equipped. IdZ-ES integrates as a holistic system approach the "Infantry System" - the infantry or mechanized infantry company with their vehicles and the base stations built into them - into networked operational command.

Especially noteworthy is the core system and helmet system. The core computer, powered by a battery pack - both worn on the soldier's back ("Electronic Back") - controls all devices and sensors carried by the soldier via various interfaces. The main functions include power management, access control and monitoring, soldier information system for map/situation display, navigation, reporting, exchange of reconnaissance and target data, processing of various sensor data (e.g. own position, line of sight), user interfaces and visualization, as well as system configuration. Using a manual control unit (BAG = control and display device), the soldier can control the soldier management system and communication. On the BAG or alternatively on his OLED helmet display, he can view all relevant data on the situation, the position of own forces (blue force tracking), the mission, and the system status. The modular clothing can be optimally adapted to the required environmental and temperature ranges.

In addition, there is a ballistic undergarment protective vest (protection class 1) with an integrated ventilation shirt and the modular carrying equipment, which accommodates ammunition, combat equipment, electronic back, and additional equipment. The IdZ-ES protective vest is designed as a complete vest with Chestrig (chest rig) and waist belt and accepts various protective inserts, so that it meets the German protection class 4. The group leader and his deputy receive the additional leader equipment, consisting of the portable leadership computer. Wireless push-to-talk buttons are located on the firearms, allowing communication with a weapon at the ready. In addition, optical and optronic attachments can be mounted on the firearms.

As a leading provider of soldier systems, Rheinmetall can offer customized solutions to every customer. Currently, the Argus soldier system as part of the "Integrated Soldier System Project" for the Canadian Armed Forces is in the production phase. HERE is the link to IDZ at Rheinmetall.

Rheinmetall Defence on the Internet: http://rheinmetall-defence.com