FELIN soldier modernization system enters service with French army

Sarrebourg, February 8, 2011, 1^st Infantry Regiment training zone: direct assault, urban combat, stealthy advance in a dark building, offensive reconnaissance, neutralization of hidden enemies, site protection from an observation post… These and other operational scenarios closed out the FELIN technical orientation phase performed by this French army unit. This very day is the first public demonstration of the FELIN system developed and produced by Sagem (Safran group) for the French army.

In the XXI^st century, the 1^st Infantry Regiment is the first unit in Europe to implement a full digitized soldier system for dismounted combat. It is a new revolution for the regiment, always the first: the 1st Infantry Regiment is the oldest infantry regiment of Europe: the unit having been founded by Louis XI in 1479! Its officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers share now their initial impressions of this high-tech integrated equipment suite for today’s solders.

Integrating the digital battlefield

The FELIN system has been delivered to the 1^st Regiment on 7^th September 2011, in other words, 1000 FELIN systems carried by 18 trucks. It signals the advent of the all-digital battlefield for today’s ground combat troops. At the heart of the system is a “tactical vest”, including an individual radio with integrated GPS – a first for infantry soldiers – its processing unit, batteries and man-machine interface, namely a miniature terminal that displays data, including orders, positions of fellow troops, and images from gun sights for round-the-corner firing.

Another innovative new item is the osteophonic headband. This ensures discreet voice communications in both directions, and leaves the ears free to stay alert to all outside noises. A keyboard on the rifle handgrip allows soldiers to control vital FELIN functions, radio and sight, while keeping their hands on the weapon, eyes on the target, and ready to fire. Squad and section leaders have larger terminals with a mapping function, dubbed SITComDE (dismounted warfighter information system terminal), that allows exchanging information with their troops and sending orders. In particular, the blue force tracking (BFT) function: this terminal tracks the positions of friendly forces in real time, for very effective control of operations. It also enhances intelligence, since it can transmit images from cameras integrated on sights deployed by FELIN-equipped soldiers.

Expanded capabilities

The addition of optronics equipment has considerably increased the effective firing range of Famas rifles, even at night. And the new scopes are especially appreciated during different phases of combat, as one of the regiment commanders explains: “The FELIN scopes give us new day and night firing capabilities. With the Famas rifle, our range now extends out to 400, or even 600 meters.” A squad leader adds: “The Famas rifle now offers real long-distance sharpshooter capability. Furthermore, FELIN technology greatly increases our mobility.” At 400 m, we recorded 100 % shoot-to-kill, 70 % at 600 m explained the officers of the Regiment.

Observation and protection capabilities have also been considerably enhanced by the use of new JIM multifunction infrared binoculars. “The FELIN system design is an excellent example of human engineering,” says one captain. “It integrates all ergonomic requirements, while facilitating logistic support and durability. For example, the sight, binoculars and other equipment all run off the same battery.” It has to be notice, that, JIM MR can improve detection C2, by transmitting sectors of observations to the soldiers of the combat group, or by giving the distance between a target.  .

Starting in January 2011, the men in the 13^th Mountain Infantry Battalion at Chambéry, the second regiment to be outfitted with FELIN, started a tactical trial in training zones in order to validate operational concepts. Four other regiments will take delivery of the system this year, and the overall objective is for 22,600 French soldiers to be equipped with FELIN systems by 2015. Following this recently completed six-week phase, a new period is starting, namely the service entry of the system and its tactical integration. This phase will be followed by deployment in foreign theaters by the end of the year. According the chief of operations and training of the 1^st regiment, “FELIN brings a significant and decisive improvement of our capabilities. Our doctrine has now to evolve, in order to translate this new technological step in tactical advantages”.