German Army’s Future Soldier (IdZ-ES): German defence giant Rheinmetall Friday announced that it has presented the German military (Bundeswehr) with the company’s first complete concept for the third generation of the Future Soldier Expanded System also known as IdZ-ES.
Düsseldorf based defence company said the presentation was the initial outcome of a comprehensive study contract awarded to Rheinmetall in March this year.
“The purpose of the study is to examine and evaluate potential improvements in the version of the IdZ-ES already in service with the Bundeswehr, with the objective of producing a complete concept for a 3rd generation IdZ-ES soldier system,” Rheinmetall said.
According to the company, the complete concept will reveal potential implementation risks, cost drivers and the degree of maturity of a mission-oriented system.
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“It will serve the Bundeswehr as a basis for preparing solution proposals for procure¬ment of a 3rd generation IdZ-ES. The study is to be complete by 30 May 2022. Depending on the outcome of the study, it could result in another significant contract for Rheinmetall, as the Bundeswehr has a continuing need for advanced digital soldier systems,” Rheinmetall said in a statement sent to Defence Star.
German Army Soldiers (Official Photo).
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Infanterist der Zukunft (IdZ) Infantryman of the future
The study encompasses seven work packages, which together comprise the complete IdZ-ES system – the core system and the periphery.
The German defence company said they include: command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) functions, which, among other things, are being examined regarding planned conformity with the Digitized Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) programme.
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These also include subsystems such as clothing, protection and load-bearing equipment, optics and optronics, and the links to ground vehicles and aircraft as well as weapons and aiming devices.
Intermediate reports on the individual topics are to be submitted on November 22 this year and by May 30 next year. A final report on all activities covered in the study is also due on May 30, 2022.
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A female soldier of German Army – Heer (Official Photo).
During the contract study, test and trial samples will be fabricated. Rheinmetall Electronics is serving as general contractor in the project, with several other companies participating as subcontractors.
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The study contract is based on two design statuses: the IdZ-ES 68 platoon systems and the System Panzergrenadier.
It comprises the IdZ-ES VJTF and the new, enhanced version of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, the System Panzergrenadier will be deployed by NATO’s spearhead formation, the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force VJTF 2023, which will be furnished by the Bundeswehr.
In March 2021 the supreme commander of the German Army declared the System Panzergrenadier “Ready for Action”.
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