Nett Warrior

Nett Warrior
Name	Nett Warrior
Caption	A soldier using the Nett Warrior system
Type	Integrated dismounted situational awareness system
Origin	United States
Used by	United States Army
Designer	U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command
Manufacturer	General Dynamics
Production date	2012–present

Nett Warrior. It is an advanced, networked situational awareness and mission command system designed for dismounted infantry leaders. The system integrates with the United States Army's tactical network to provide real-time geospatial data, blue force tracking, and digital communications. Fielded to enhance squad and platoon-level combat effectiveness, it represents a key component of the modern soldier's technological suite within the Future Combat Systems lineage and the current Integrated Visual Augmentation System program.

Overview

The system provides dismounted small-unit leaders with a handheld, Android-based end-user device that displays a moving digital map. This map shows the position of the soldier, their team members, known friendly units, and reported enemy locations. By leveraging the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below network, it shares critical information across the Joint Tactical Radio System architecture. This capability significantly reduces the fog of war for leaders operating in complex environments like urban warfare, directly supporting the United States Department of Defense vision for a connected battlefield. The intent is to increase situational understanding, speed decision-making, and reduce the risk of friendly fire incidents during operations.

Development and history

The program evolved from the earlier Land Warrior system and was initially known as the Ground Soldier System. Development was managed by the Program Executive Office Soldier and the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground. A major contract for engineering and manufacturing development was awarded to General Dynamics in 2012. The system's fielding was accelerated in response to operational needs identified during the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War, where dismounted patrols required better navigation and coordination tools. It has undergone continuous iterative improvement, with its technological foundation now serving as a pathfinder for the broader Integrated Visual Augmentation System effort, which aims to incorporate augmented reality capabilities.

System components

The core of the system is a commercial smartphone-like device, ruggedized for military use and running the Android (operating system) with specialized applications. This device connects via a cable to a radio, typically the Rifleman Radio or the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System, carried in the soldier's rucksack. Positional data is derived from a Global Positioning System receiver integrated into the system. The user interface is designed for gloved hands and low-light conditions, and the entire assembly is powered by rechargeable batteries. The system integrates with the Joint Capabilities Release software suite to ensure interoperability with platforms like the M1 Abrams and the M2 Bradley.

Operational use

In combat, squad and platoon leaders use the system to navigate to objectives, monitor the real-time location of their subordinates, and receive updated graphics and intelligence reports. It allows for the digital marking of points of interest, suspected improvised explosive device locations, and casualty collection points, which are instantly shared across the network. This capability was extensively utilized by units such as the 101st Airborne Division and the 10th Mountain Division during operations in Afghanistan. The system has proven valuable in complex terrain, enabling more precise coordination with supporting elements like United States Air Force close air support and United States Army Aviation Branch assets.

Variants and upgrades

The primary variant fielded is the End User Device, which has seen incremental hardware improvements over several capability drops. A significant software evolution was the integration with the Android Tactical Assault Kit application, providing a common operational picture tool. The system's architecture is designed to accept new software applications and hardware peripherals. Its most direct successor is the Integrated Visual Augmentation System, which aims to replace the handheld screen with a heads-up display in a soldier's helmet. Other related developmental efforts include the Dismounted Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing System to maintain accuracy in GPS denial environments.

See also

* Future Force Warrior * Tactical Assault Kit * Blue force tracking * Warfighter Information Network-Tactical * Military communications

Category:United States Army equipment Category:Military communications Category:Infantry equipment