Darpa introduces SXCT infantry programme

Darpa has introduced a new Squad X Core Technologies (SXCT) programme aimed at developing integrated systems for land infantry, it announced on 9 February.

The programme is aimed at speeding up the development of new, lightweight, integrated systems that will provide unprecedented flexibility, adaptability and awareness in complex environments. It will enable dismounted soldiers and marines to understand and control their mission environments more intuitively.

Major Christopher Orlowski, programme manager, DARPA, said: ‘SXCT aims to help dismounted infantry squads have deep awareness of what’s around them, detect threats from farther away and, when necessary, engage adversaries more quickly and precisely than ever before. We are working towards advanced capabilities that would make dismounted infantry squads more adaptable, safe and effective.’

Building on two earlier requests for information, SXCT plans to explore four key technical areas: precision engagement of targets out to 1km, non-kinetic engagement with the use of unmanned assets, squad sensing to detect threats out to 1km and squad autonomy using embedded unmanned ground and air systems.