Credit: G-Nius

This article first appeared in Defense Technology International.

LONDON -- September's Defense Systems & Equipment International (DSEi) show filled the ExCel exhibition center here. But for a leading land and sea weapons show, there wasn't a lot of heavy equipment.

What was evident was that the needs of armies and navies are changing in response to the demands of warfare, national security and budgets. One of BAE Systems' major announcements was a multirole vehicle, the South African-developed RG-35. Designed to combine the toughness of a mine-protected vehicle with the off-road mobility of a combat type, the RG-35's mid-engine layout is reminiscent of Lockheed Martin's AVA. BAE also featured a program that uses existing technology to defeat pirates. What's clear is that betting the company, or even one year's results, on winning one big program is no way to survive.

That's not news for DRS Technologies, which expanded in the 1990s as a "consolidator" and never developed a strong platform focus. The company's acquisition last year by Italy's Finmeccanica strengthened its position, says CEO Mark Newman, and "moved us from the 21st-largest defense contractor to the top 10."

Although DRS was heavily involved in the U.S. Future Combat Systems program, Newman expects that its program technology will find a home. "We see winners and losers in the portfolio, but more winners than losers because we're not a big platform house."

One example of DRS's integration into Finmeccanica's operations was on show: A command and intelligence, surveillance, targeting and reconnaissance (Istar) vehicle showcasing sister company Selex Galileo's sensor and integration expertise and featuring a number of DRS components. Selex Galileo CEO Steve Mogford told DTI last month that the company wants to take a bigger role in upgrade and reset programs, using its capabilities to make systems more efficient and better integrated. At DSEi, Mogford pointed out that the Istar vehicle allows a crew of four to operate a full range of sensors and communication devices.

BAE unveiled the RG-35 at DSEi. It will include 4 X 4 and 6 X 6 versions. Credit: BAE SYSTEMS

While DRS came to DSEi for the first time under new ownership, Saab arrived fresh from a restructuring that combines 15 business lines into five units: aeronautics, dynamics, electronic defense systems, security and defense solutions, and support and services. A leading author of the plan is Lena Olving, who joined the company from Volvo last year in the new position of chief operating officer.

Olving emphasizes that she intends to question many defense industry practices -- including a preference for making rather than buying components -- and may steer Saab in the direction of focusing on areas where it can be among the market leaders, rather than dispersing resources among too many product lines.

Another relative newcomer to the industry is Israel Defense Forces Maj. Gen. (ret.) Ehud Shani, director of Israeli weapons export agency Sibat. He took that position a year ago after heading the development of C4I systems for the Israeli military. Shani's enthusiasm for Israel's "digital military" technology -- which he considers the world's best -- is apparent. On the Elbit exhibit stand, Shani pointed out how new technology -- the shared picture, remotely controlled weapon systems (RCWS) and sensors -- allows vehicle crews to fight with closed hatches, improving survivability.

Shani predicts that 3G cellular technology will bring the complete operational picture into the grasp of company commanders and change the nature of command in the process.

IMU02 (left) from Atlantic Inertial Systems is used on the 155-mm. Excalibur guided shell. The MinIM (right) could be part of a guidance system in the fuze cavity.Credit: ATLANTIC INERTIAL SYSTEMS

He talks about "plasma impact" in exercises since the 2006 war in the Lebanon -- "plasma" being the big-screen technology that displays imagery from remote sensors and the positions of friendly and hostile forces, all geolocated on a map. "When you bring the technology to the field, it changes the mindset and concept of command. All the commanders stayed by the screens because that's where they had the information they needed," says Shani.

The technology to bring that picture to remote areas is not there yet, Shani says -- but it's only a matter of time. "Once you link cellular technology to all the sensors out there, it could destroy the echelons of command. A company commander can link directly to the joint chiefs of staff." Some military leaders are horrified by this, but Shani simply says: "We have to adapt and use new procedures."

Credit: G-Nius