New Wearable Armyware | Technology Trends

By Roland Piquepaille

Military forces are increasingly relying on wearable computers and other gadgetries designed by commercial companies, only slightly more ruggedized because of mission critical requirements. In this long article, Military & Aerospace Electronics gives various examples of how these wearable technologies are networking soldiers. For instance, the military version of Microvision's Nomad helmet-mounted display delivers a virtual cockpit interface to commanders in the field. Or take Xybernaut, which is developing belt-mounted mobile and wearable computers with integrated satellite communications units allowing soldiers to export wirelessly and continuously their location. In the mean time, General Dynamics C4 Systems is building GoBook tablet computers powered by direct-liquid fuel cells which could become potential replacements for current ground air-traffic-control computers. Read more...

The original article describes other wearable technologies as well, so be sure to read it. Here I just want to focus on the Microvision's Nomad helmet-mounted display.

In a company white paper, "Out the Hatch Situational Awareness," Microvision officials describe how their wearable computer, Nomad, improves situational awareness for commanders in the field.

Situational awareness, the paper points out, drives the need for electronic information on opposing forces, neutrals and noncombatants, terrain maps, spot reports and messages, vehicle sensors such as driver vision enhancement and gunner displays, and "the time-tested human vision of the surrounding tactical environment."

The Nomad helmet-mounted display enables the commander to keep his head outside the vehicle while also accessing vehicle displays. It provides electronic information that is visible under all lighting conditions and enables the commander/ leader to remain aware of his situation without ducking into the vehicle.

	Here is an example of what a commander can see with his Nomad helmet-mounted display (Credit: Microvision).

	As you can see, this provides him a better situational awareness (Credit: Microvision).

	These three images come from a video available on this page which also gives the specifications of the device (Credit: Microvision).

One hundred Nomad helmet-mounted display systems have been deployed in Iraq, Microvision officials say. "Feedback from the field has been overwhelmingly positive with comments like -- the only problem with the Nomad is that we don't have enough of them," according to the company white paper.

"For the 3-20 Brigade, the Nomad Helmet Mounted Display consisted of a display module attached to the helmet, a video control module mounted to the vehicle, with a cable connected to the FBCB2 [Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade-and-Below] computer system. For the 1-25 Brigade the system has been upgraded to provide the ability to switch between the FBCB2, thermal weapon display, and thermal driver's display with head-out-of-the-hatch operation. Nomad is a see-through, daylight readable display repeater in both applications."

Don't think it's a huge market for commercial companies. The latest contract that Microvision got represents about $4 million. But the market is growing.

Tim Shea, senior analyst at Venture Development Corp. in Natick, Mass., says the wearable-computer market should grow to about $560 million worldwide by 2008 with government/military/homeland security applications taking up about $74 million, if the Army's Land Warrior system is fielded by then.

"Government/military usage is primarily spread across battlefield, logistics, and vehicle/aircraft maintenance applications," Shea says. "We're also starting to see small transactions for wearables among first responders and other homeland security areas starting to grow."

These technologies will not change my life, but I hope they'll improve soldiers' lives.

Sources: John McHale, Military & Aerospace Electronics, November 2004; and various web sites

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