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The digitization of the armed forces is progressing and the consolidation of the system landscape in the area of ​​​​command information systems is in full swing. The implementation of the Mission Enabling Service Bundeswehr (MESBw) makes a significant contribution to this.

The challenges of interoperability in multinational operations and intraoperability, i.e. the interaction of different systems within the armed forces, continue to be the focus of activities. With the digitization of land-based operations (D-LBO), the land forces have developed a strategy to significantly and sustainably improve the ability to command and control land-based operations. In this architecture, the Battle Management System (BMS) integrates sensors and effectors into the management process and creates a consistent system network. Building on the experience gained from the BMS project for NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force Land (VJTF(L)) 2023, the communications infrastructure at D-LBO will also be modernized and the degree of integration and automation increased.

If D-LBO focuses on the country dimension, there is also a need for the introduction or consolidation of the management information systems in the other dimensions in order to get one step closer to the overall goal of creating a uniform and cross-organizational situation picture.

Systematic SitaWare Suite

The Systematic SitaWare Suite provides modular and scalable IT services that can be used as a situation service in stationary, deployable, mobile and seagoing environments. Specifically, these are SitaWare Headquarters for stationary and deployable command posts and seagoing platforms, SitaWare Frontline for combat vehicles and SitaWare Edge for the dismounted commander.

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SitaWare Edge is an Android application for dismounted use and is available for mobile devices. (Photo: Systematic)

With a total of more than 40 user nations, SitaWare is today the most widespread C4I software suite worldwide. The individual military-off-the-shelf (MOTS) products have been tried and tested many times and have a very high degree of maturity. In the area of ​​interoperability, SitaWare is now considered a benchmark for the developments of other nations and thus sets standards for data exchange in multinational operations. All common military and civil standards for data exchange are implemented in SitaWare, which ensures both intra- and interoperability. Proprietary systems, such as command and weapon deployment systems (FüWES) and weapon system platforms, can be connected or integrated at low risk via fully documented and open interfaces.

Data communication is ensured by the SitaWare Tactical Communication (STC) communication service. STC is a hardware-agnostic service specifically designed for the efficient use of tactical communications. STC supports tactical radios from a wide range of manufacturers as well as modern means of communication such as satellite communication, WiFi and LTE/5G technologies. Especially in the case of a heterogeneous command and control equipment of a troop unit, STC can ensure automated data communication without media discontinuity.

The existing programming interfaces (API) and the use of the software development kit (SDK) enable low-risk and manufacturer-independent integration into complex overall systems. Numerous national and international examples demonstrate the cost-efficient integration into the communication infrastructure - but also into the IT system of platforms. These integrations are often performed by local partner companies working with Systematic. Under the motto "A Network of Excellence", a partner program was created specifically for this purpose as part of the SitaWare ecosystem in order to jointly provide the best solutions for the armed forces.

In addition to land operations, SitaWare supports operations in the air and sea dimensions to the same extent. Functionalities for maritime use cases have already been developed with the Maritime Add-on and are ready for immediate use. The first nations are already using SitaWare on seagoing platforms and in aircraft for reconnaissance purposes in order to condense the common situation picture.

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On the one hand, the SitaWare Framework offers cross-sectional functionalities for all organizational areas and can also be expanded with specific modules, for example with the Maritime Add-On. (Photo: Systematic)

SitaWare @ German Armed Forces

The Bundeswehr has implemented SitaWare as the Bundeswehr Mission Enabling Service (MESBw). The service currently exists in the versions Comand Post, mapped by SitaWare Headquarters, and Mountable, which was implemented using SitaWare Frontline. This means that a large number of cross-sectional functionalities for command and control information systems are available, which can be used throughout the Bundeswehr. In addition to the applications, the Bundeswehr also has the respective software development kits (SDK). This means that the software can be integrated into the IT system and functional extensions can be made independently of the manufacturer. The first projects for this have already been started and partners from industry as well as qualified Bundeswehr departments are currently implementing software themselves with the help of the SDKs.

The MESBw is an important milestone in the digitization of the armed forces for everyone involved. The SitaWare C4I framework forms the backbone of the system network, in which all sensors and effectors on the one hand and all relevant actors on the other can be integrated. Together with the D-LBO Tactical Core, a communication and software platform was created that represents the backbone of digitization. This gives the Bundeswehr the opportunity to set up and expand a uniform ecosystem for future projects.

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The Bundeswehr Mission Enabling Service (MESBw) forms the backbone of the digitization of land-based operations. (Photo: Systematic)

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Due to the continuous further development of the products, new or improved functionalities are constantly being added to ensure that the latest standards, e.g. B. in the area of ​​interoperability. In the medium term, product development is based on the megatrends in IT, but also on the further development of the IT platforms of the user nations. Therefore, topics such as artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing are in focus. These technologies enable the addition of data-centric systems to today's map-centric command and control information systems. Specific user groups, such as military intelligence, will particularly benefit from these developments. In addition, the youngest product of the SitaWare Suite, SitaWare Insight, was recently presented to the user nations and is now available on the market.

Overall, with SitaWare, Systematic offers many opportunities to support the German Armed Forces in the challenges of digitization and to take advantage of the opportunities that arise. The expansion of the C4I framework with specific functionalities will clearly be in the foreground of future projects. Together with the introduction of innovative technologies, this ensures that the armed forces will be equipped with the most modern management information systems in the future.

 

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Systematic GmbH
In the customs port 14
50678 Cologne
Phone: 0221 29294319
www.systematic.com