US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
French defense procurement agency DGA has ordered an additional 500 SITEL (Système d’Information Terminal Elémentaire) vehicle-mounted tactical information systems from Sagem (Safran group) for the French army.
The contract also includes crew training, integration of the terminals in vehicles, and maintenance.
SITEL systems are already fitted to several types of combat vehicles, including the new PVP by Panhard. The system comprises a tactical terminal with touch screen, including a digital mapping function, and an interface with tactical radio, navigation and observation systems.
Integrated in the French army’s digital chain of command, SITEL allows units from different services to exchange formatted messages, calculate the range of a target, consult databases and share displays of tactical situations, thus contributing to effective tactical decisions. SITEL is interoperable with the FELIN integrated equipment suite for infantry soldiers.
With this contract, the DGA has now ordered more than 2,000 SITEL systems from prime contractor Sagem, working with co-contractor Cap Gemini, out of a planned total of 4,500 terminals. Some 1,200 SITEL systems are now in service with the French army, and are deployed in overseas combat zones.
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
The service has been conducting several acquisition and upgrading efforts involving artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve communication, data analysis and ISR systems.
The Syracuse 4B communications satellite, developed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, was launched last year, bolstering secure military satellite communications for the French Armed Forces. Thales has now been selected to provide terminals for vehicles.
The growing importance of space in modern warfare, advancements in satellite technology, and increasing threats from rivals like China and Russia were among the topics of a Eurosatory 2024 panel on military space operations.
AN/ARC-232A is a Starfire radio that provides VHF/UHF communications to airborne platforms and the transceiver is software-programmable, allowing for multiple waveform support as well as optional national electronic counter counter-measure (ECCM) capability.
During the 18-month period of the contract, Lockheed Martin will apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to create surrogate models of aircraft, sensors, electronic warfare and weapons within dynamic and operationally representative environments.