Soldier of the future

Maps beamed to his glasses and sensors to monitor his health

LOOKING like someone from a science fiction movie, this is how British soldiers could be kitted out in 2024.

Smart glasses will show information on a tiny screen in front of their eyes, allowing commanders to beam maps and videos from drones to them.

Lightweight helmets mounted with high-resolution cameras will send battlefield images to comrades on patrol to warn them of potential dangers such as boobytraps and ambushes.

a wrist device packed with stateof-the-art sensors will monitor a soldier’s health and performance during combat – allowing an officer to withdraw those who are flagging from a mission.

it could also be used to relay crucial information to medics, such as a serviceman’s heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen flow if they are seriously injured.

Personal radio computers the size of a smartphone, with touchscreens to access real-time combat information, customised body armour which balances protection and agility, headphones that aid communications while protecting hearing could also be used.

an updated Sa80 assault rifle will allow targeting information to be shared between soldiers, letting them concentrate firepower more accurately.

the so- called Future Soldier Vision, developed by the army, the MoD’s Defence Science and technology Laboratory and defence firms, was unveiled yesterday in London at DSEI, one of the world’s biggest defence shows.

Sergeant Dave Grant, of the army’s infantry trials and Development Unit, said: ‘On the ground, you could take video and send it wirelessly to other soldiers pointing out, “this is where the enemy is hiding, this is the kind of terrain”, and send that back up the chain of command so they can alter tactics if necessary.’