Many ISL innovations to discover
ISL presents its innovations at SOFINS 2021, serving the needs of the Special Forces
As member of the French “Cercle de l’Arbalète”, the French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis (ISL) is participating in the 5th edition of SOFINS (Special Operations Forces Innovation Network Seminar) from 29 June to 1st July 2021 at the Souges Camp near Bordeaux (France).
During the exhibition, ISL will be presenting around 10 innovations designed to meet the needs of the Special Forces. These innovative technologies will be displayed in different places - on ISL’s own stand (D6), in a video presenting a forward-looking vision of 2040 in the demonstrator cinema area and in collaboration with ISL’s supervisory body the French Defence Innovation Agency (AID) on the different French MoD stands inside and outside the exhibition hall (C83 and D79).
On the ISL exhibition stand: next-generation hearing protection BANG/BIONEAR, projectile with embedded camera, light-weight ballistic protection systems
On the ISL exhibition stand (D6), the new-generation hearing protection BANG/BIONEAR will be displayed. These tailor-made active earplugs optimise and combine hearing protection with communication functions: the perfect solution for mounted and dismounted soldiers, regardless of the surrounding noise they may experience.
ISL has developed these earplugs with the support of the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) and the AID as well as in partnership with Cotral Lab, a leading SME in the design and fabrication of custom-made hearing protectors. These innovative hearing protection devices have been thoroughly tested by the armed forces and are also a dual-use technology. Cotral Lab is currently preparing the product launch of the BIONEAR version for industrial use. The BANG version, equipped with more advanced features, is integrated into the CENTURION operation preparing the replacement of the FELIN infantry equipment. It is also being evaluated on the Charles de Gaulles aircraft carrier and by some units of the Special Forces.
The ISL stand presents a number of other innovations, including the concept of an observation projectile fitted with an embedded camera for battle damage assessment (BDA) at a distance of 2.5 kilometres and a new high-tech ceramic/glass composite capable of reinforcing ballistic protection systems while reducing their mass by more than 50% - an ideal solution for ballistic shields, visors and windows of armoured vehicles.
Video presentation of a Special Forces mission 2040: Sentinelle, SAAP, PACOPAC
Produced by the French “Cercle de l’Arbalète”, this forward-looking animated film provides a vision of how technological innovations will be used in future conflicts. The scenario: after a terrorist attack on French territory, the European Special Forces carry out a joint operation to find Hackermann and to destroy his network.
The special force commando relies on a number of technological innovations, three of which are developed by ISL and very close to operational deployment. Sentinel ensures advanced and autonomous optical monitoring, pre-interprets and transmits information; SAAP, a Ground Proximity Alert System for parachute jumpers at night, consisting of a waist sensor and a wrist alert device, provides the jumpers with precise information about the remaining distance to the ground so that they can adopt the right position at the right time before landing; PACOPAC which connects the BANG hearing protection with a new collaborative system allows the members of the special force commando to detect and localise enemy shots in a reliable and precise manner, even in an urban environment; PACOPAC’s man-system interface is a smartphone of the same type that is already used in the operation Sentinelle.
New protection filter against enemy lasers
On the indoor stand of the French MoD, ISL presents its new-generation filter based on the combination of nano-diamonds synthesised in ISL’s laboratories and a polymer host.
This filter self-activates when hit by radiation with an energy level above a certain threshold. The filter thus ensures the protection of optronic sensors against high-intensity laser threats in the infrared range.
Live demonstration of embedded intelligence STAMINA on multirole tactical robot AUROCHS and Long Distance Vision (LDV)
ISL develops embedded intelligence bricks for robots. In order to fine-tune these bricks in realistic conditions, ISL has developed robotised platforms inspired directly from exchanges with the French Army.
On the outdoor stand of the French MoD, ISL presents the capabilities of a number of the STAMINA technological bricks embedded on the AUROCHS robot: “hands-free" operation of the robot in “push me" mode, autonomous GPS-free navigation, transparent supervision of the embedded intelligence by the operator (thanks to video display).
On the same outdoor stand, ISL displays its LDV (Long-Distance Vision) device. This long-distance observation device was designed and developed in close cooperation with the armed forces. LDV is light, compact and scalable. It can be remotely operated by a touchpad interface and is perfectly adapted for long-range intelligence and surveillance operations (10 kilometres).
About ISL
ISL is a binational research institute with 400 employees. It is operated jointly by the French Defence Innovation Agency (AID) and the German MoD.
Its mission is to create cost-effective technologies for use by the armed forces in the toughest areas of military confrontation. ISL's innovations protect soldiers by detecting enemy weapons, by reducing the effects of these and by protecting soldiers and their vehicles against the resulting residual effects. In addition, ISL optimises material and energy systems in order to make them safer and more efficient. ISL develops low-cost technological bricks which are essential to future artillery systems and intelligent ammunition. This includes long-range modular solutions with high precision. These innovations take into account defensive and offensive aspects, thus enriching themselves.
Composed of 60% researchers and engineers and around 40 PhD students, ISL’s scientific teams are multi-disciplinary and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. They are active members of an extensive academic network. In direct contact with operational forces on the ground, they are recognised for their innovative experience upstream from industry and in co-development with it.
Come and meet ISL and its experts on the indoor stand D6 and on the indoor and outdoor stands of the French MoD (C83 and C79).
Photos of ISL’s innovations are available on request.
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