Rheinmetall Unveils Innovative Blueprint for the Bundeswehr’s Next-Gen Future Soldier System
Rheinmetall has unveiled the initial complete design for the third generation of the Future Soldier – Expanded System, commonly referred to as IdZ-ES, to the German Bundeswehr. This presentation signifies the first result of an extensive study contract awarded to Rheinmetall in March 2021. The primary aim of this research is to investigate and assess potential upgrades in the currently deployed version of IdZ-ES within the Bundeswehr, with the goal of formulating a comprehensive design for a third-generation IdZ-ES soldier solution.
The comprehensive design will highlight possible implementation hazards, financial factors, and the maturity level of a mission-focused system. It will act as a foundation for the Bundeswehr to devise procurement proposals for a third-generation IdZ-ES. The completion of the study is scheduled for 30 May 2022. Depending on the findings, this may lead to another substantial contract for Rheinmetall, as the Bundeswehr continues to seek state-of-the-art digital soldier systems.
The investigation encompasses seven operational work packages, collectively forming the entire IdZ-ES system, including both the core and supplementary components. This naturally incorporates the command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) capabilities, which, amongst other aspects, are being evaluated for compliance with the Digitized Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) initiative. Additionally, factors such as subsystems for clothing, protection, and load-bearing gear; optics and optronics; as well as connections to ground vehicles, aircraft, armaments, and targeting devices are being considered. Preliminary reports on each subject are scheduled for submission on 22 November 2021 and 30 May 2022. A comprehensive report encompassing all aspects of the study is also to be delivered on 30 May 2022.
Throughout the contract investigation, test and trial prototypes will be developed. Rheinmetall Electronics is acting as the general contractor in this initiative, with numerous firms participating as subcontractors.
The study contract is founded on two design statuses: the IdZ-ES 68 platoon systems and the System Panzergrenadier. Including the IdZ-ES VJTF and the advanced iteration of the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, the System Panzergrenadier will be employed by NATO’s rapid response formation, the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force VJTF 2023, which is to be supplied by the Bundeswehr. In March 2021, the chief commander of the German Army proclaimed the System Panzergrenadier as “mission-ready”.
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