Successful battlefield operations heavily rely on seamless tactical communications and thereby the technologies and equipment that provides it. Quality communication, flexibility and ease of use are all vital, but so is the ability to deploy these systems quickly and cost effectively, as well as to redeploy them using legacy equipment. The unique combination of the RA4000 high-noise headset with INVISIO’s Intercom system – creates additional uses for mounted soldiers in heavy armored vehicles and dismounted troops.
A combination that can adapt
The RA4000 advanced digital headset provides active noise reduction (ANR) and noise attenuation levels of 36dB SNR, protecting hearing for soldiers operating in mounted environments. In addition, the headset allows its users to enable hear-through to hear local environment sounds at safe levels (<85dBA), ensuring they can maintain situational awareness of hazards or conduct face-to-face conversations without defeating hearing protection.
The benefit of combining the RA4000 headset with INVISIO’s Intercom system allows the potential to switch from a mounted environment to a dismounted position – ensuring soldiers maintain the same level of situational awareness in both settings.
While in some systems headsets and intercoms may be fixed to vehicles, this provides a non-hard-installed solution and allows for more flexibility when it comes to soldiers dismounting. Both the RA4000 + INVISIO Intercom system are MIL SPEC 810G compliant and the combination of the two also allows the capability of tailoring of profiles, whether from vehicle to vehicle or vehicle to dismounting, giving users flexibility and the ability to easy manoeuvre between different vehicles, systems and scenarios. For example, the combination would allow a soldier to easily switch from being connected to a vehicle’s communication system to requiring direct face-to-face communication in the field or while dismounted, all the while maintaining the same level of hearing protection situation awareness and communication (if carrying a personal radio), even when disconnected from the INVISIO intercom system.
Rapid deployment and redeployment
The INVISIO Intercom is designed to bridge the gap between the dismounted and mounted professional by seamlessly integrating the INVISIO personal system and vehicle comms for internal voice communication. At just 563 g, measuring 150×95×27 mm and easily carried in a backpack, it is easily deployable and user-friendly for dismounted soldiers. On top of this it is easily deployable – and redeployable – in mounted situations, including legacy vehicles in need of new, integral communication systems. Such needs are often time sensitive and the combination of the RA4000 headset and INVISIO’s Intercom system provides an alternative to lengthy installations of a new intercom system in addition to the already-established advantages of the INVISIO Intercom, thanks to its size, weight and flexibility.
The ability to install the INVISIO Intercom system in legacy vehicles and integrate it with the Racal headset system creates an immediate solution, removing any reliance on long lead manufacturing and reducing lead times to deployment.
INVISIO’s software solutions allow for customisation of the system and thus increased agility, with fast and efficient switching between settings, vehicles and users to ensure maximum efficiency when it comes to communications. The ability to re-programme systems and settings removes the need for additional technology and cabling, saving on both time and equipment.
Such advantages mean the combination of the RA4000 headset and INVISIO’s Intercom system are not just rapidly deployable but rapidly ‘redeployable’ from vehicle to vehicle.
Facilitating better soldiering
Using a combination of a state-of-the-art headset like the RA4000 and INVISIO’s Intercom system reduces the effect of prolonged noise and allows for effective communications both on and off the vehicle. In addition, ANR contributes to a longer mission profile: how long troops on the ground can drive, dismount, then continue moving. A reduction in the cognitive burden of noise on them, especially while in vehicles, means they can operate for longer, contributing to the tactical value of each mission. Essentially, the provision of a combined system of headset and intercom – providing hearing protection, clear communication and situational awareness – contributes to a more effective fighting force, clearer mission control and the achievement of tactical objectives.
The industry leading technology of the INVISIO Intercom system and the RA4000 high-noise headset already makes them the individual elements of choice for armed forces and other defence-related applications across the world, but it is their combination – bringing the ability to rapidly deploy and redeploy such systems, including in developing territories and areas and situations where legacy platforms are being utilised – that makes them invaluable in the fast-moving world of warfare today.
For more information visit: www.invisio.com and www.racalacoustics.com.
