Advancements in military technology mean military vehicles are ready for the battlefields of today and tomorrow.

The 21st century has given rise to changes in military operations. Linear, massive battles between peers have given way to asymmetric engagements that involve unequal forces. The backdrop of global political unrest and increasingly hostile asymmetrical Threats means military operations must bolster their military capabilities and adaptability.

Hotspots of unrest and threats asymmetrical in nature mean investments in armored vehicle capabilities remain critical. Technological innovations continue to have significant importance when combating a wide spectrum of threats. The rise in technological sophistication among complex hybrid threats requires military vehicles to demonstrate superior survivability and mobility.

Due to global unrest, vehicle manufacturers must continue to fortify their abilities in the ever-changing landscape of the modern battlefield. On the back of such developments, here are the top five technologies in defense vehicles capable of changing the face of modern warfare.

Modular designs

While international demand for armored vehicles continues to rise, defense budgets fluctuate. Staying on top of such changes requires armored vehicle manufacturers to adopt a modular design that allows a fleet of defense vehicles to serve various operational variants. The ability to meet a diverse range of operational requirements through the use of a modular platform reduces logistic footprint, lowering overall life-cycle cost.

Designing a fleet outfitted on modular platforms allows the ability to easily customize and modify vehicles to suit specific operational requirements. A modular framework that permits interchangeability enables effortless upgradability to enhance operational effectiveness. This facilitates the capability of defending against current threats while meeting the requirements to defeat evolving threats.

Future-ready defense capabilities

The backdrop of ongoing hostilities and global hostile threats mean defense vehicle manufacturers must continue to prepare for emerging market trends. As such, vehicle protection must be all-encompassing. Crew survivability remains a priority as does tactical mobility and operational performance.

As combat vehicles are exposed to all sorts of ongoing threats as well as harsh environmental conditions, technological armored solutions include transparent armor and enhanced crew survivability cabs. One such operational solution, the “crew citadel” protection system provides a high level of protection, increasing crew survivability and enhancing the crew’s ability to operate in the most arduous operational environment.

Transparent armor solutions include more than just lighter and thinner solutions to increase available volume and weight reduction enabling lighter vehicles. New transparent armor solutions also include a digital scope. Built-in LCD digital screens as seen in the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) expo showcased innovations in armored glass.

The integration of such an advanced safety system increases driver awareness. Operators are able to display information of command and control networks, vehicle systems, and digital maps. It is also capable of detecting road obstacles, providing blind spot warnings, and displaying reverse camera systems.

Unmanned ground vehicles

The variety of challenges seen on the modern battlefield; harsh environmental conditions, asymmetrical threats, and unconventional warfare, means unmanned vehicles remain a consistent feature in modern theatre. Unmanned Ground Vehicles, or UGVs, minimizes crew risks and affords safer operational conditions while enabling advanced autonomous control.

UGVs allows for a single operator to control multiple UGVs. UGVs use components such as multi-spectral sensors, high tech cameras, and integrated weapon systems to perform in multivariant mission environments. Their autonomous capabilities allow UGVs to respond to operational needs according to mission requirements.

Such technologies are capable of capturing high-resolution images, target tracking, and all-weather terrain mapping. This greatly improves the capabilities, effectiveness, and situational awareness of UGVs in the modern theatre. The future of UGVs looks bright, with future development affording such vehicles increased range, endurance, and survivability in hostile territories.

The proliferation of advanced technology enables vehicle capability of superior tactical mobility and performance delivery. As combat situations become more technologically sophisticated, expect to see armored vehicle manufacturers produce advanced multi-role wheeled vehicles capable of responding to an array of new threats. As asymmetrical threats continue to appear on all fronts, the growth of new armored vehicle capabilities provides a high degree of confidence in meeting such threats.

AUTHOR BIO
Miles Chambers
Senior International Business Development and Sales Manager, NIMR Automotive LLC
Miles Chambers joined NIMR Automotive in October 2016 as Senior International Business Development and Sales Manager. In this capacity, Miles oversees NIMR Automotive’s expansion to Global markets, particularly into Europe and Southeast Asia. In addition to his responsibilities at NIMR Automotive, Miles is the Chairman of the Azerbaijan-South Africa Chamber of Commerce.

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