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 FELIN is a modular infantry combat suite,
offering efficient ergonomics, autonomy and weight saving. In March
2004 Sagem won the DGA contract to develop and produce up to 30,000
infantry combat suits, to field with all French Army active infantry
regiments by 2010 as part of the future air/ground system of systems
called BOA. The total contract worth is estimated at 800 million
Euro.
FELIN systems will comprise a modified weapon system, integral
sensors, wearable computer, communications and display systems,
advanced uniform, protection and headgear and team allocated
equipment such as ODIN mini-UAV, robotic mule and commander's
specific equipment. The weight of the entire FELIN system will be 24
kg, including weaponry, energy, ammunition, water and food.
Clothing
Superior resistance, comfort and stealth will enable the soldier to
move faster with extra protection. The uniforms are designed for
sufficient ventilation, and are fabricated from fire retardant
materials, replacing current fire retardant coveralls used AFV
crews. Torso protection will be improved removable modular combat
jacket which will have significantly larger protection area,
provided by soft, rather than hard ballistic protection plates. It
will be supplemented by ceramic inserts for extra protection of
critical areas, when required by the mission or threat level. The
garment's structure will be modular, allowing the soldier to adjust
the weight according to the mission. The suite will also be provided
in a special Nuclear, Radiological, Bacteriological and Chemical
protection configuration.
The Weapon System
The FELIN infantryman will use an upgraded FAMAS assault rifle which
has been fitted with image intensifying (I2) sight and a wireless
video camera that relay the sight images over wireless local network
to either the torso or helmet displays, or directly to transmits
them to the platoon commander or team leader. The commander's FAMAS
will be equipped with thermal weapon sights. IR optronics will also
increase the effectiveness of the Minimi machine gun and the FRF2
sniper rifle. FELIN V1 will field with four types of sights – a
reflex day/night sight for the FAMAS, a day/night sight for Minimi,
an improved long-range day/night (I2) sight integrated with a laser
rangefinder for the FR-F2 sniper rifle and hand held imager,
integrated with GPS, LRF and Digital Magnetic Compass (DMC) for
commanders.
Electronics Systems
 The helmet offers enhanced protection with an outer layer that contains
a wide-angle day/night camera improving dismounted soldier's
mobility in both day and night combat, relaying images to the helmet ocular, or thorax display
unit. The soldier does not
use a microphone for voice commands, but instead wears a headband
with an osteo-phone. The helmet will also be equipped with passive
elements for audio protection. The helmet mounted day/night
microcamera will offer 50 degrees field of view. Using the standard
headgear, the soldier will be able to detect a human target at 150
meters and identify it at a range of 70 meters.
The wearable computer (PEP), the hub of FELIN system is built around
a high speed processor and USB 2.0 high speed, open universal port
interfaces which controls the energy and links with different
components, such as imaging sensors, weapon, displays, radio etc.
The computer is connected to a man-machine interface enabling the
soldier to control the system and carry out operations such as
firing around a corner or see through obstacles.
The infantryman will use a small personal radio (RIF) transmitting
voice and data communication. The RIF will be functional both in
mounted or dismounted operations enabling GPS position tracking and
information sharing within the squad and platoon. The communication
bandwidth provided by the RIF is sufficient to pass operational
graphics, imagery, maps and video sequences between team
members and back to the higher echelon. They will operate with
either all-in-one or sub-network architecture and interface with the
fourth generation radio (PR4G) which remains the link between the
dismounted platoon and the vehicles. As it is separated from the PEP
computer, the radio will operate even in the event of computer
breakdown. FELIN platoon will operate five networks: four will
operate as RIFintra squad networks, (three infantry and one antitank
squads) maintaining continuous and open "conference" between the
squad members. Each RIFIntra network will also be separable into two
intra-team sub-networks, allowing control of small team operations
when required. At the platoon level, RIF Command network will
operate, communicating between squad leaders, platoon commander, CO,
snipers and the unit's armored personnel carriers.
 Each section commander will be equipped with multifunction, un-cooled
thermal binoculars used for day/night observation and
targeting. The specialized section commanders will get portable
information system terminals, (SIT), which are PDA sized digital
assistants, used for tactical situation assessment. The SIT will
display images, maps with overlaid symbology, and will be able to
exchange encrypted messages with other commanders and higher
echelons.
The FELIN electronic ensemble will be powered by two rechargeable
Li-ion batteries will be used to ensure that the soldier can operate
the system for 24 hours once dismounted. The unit will also be
equipped with a collective fuel-cell based battery charger,
which will sustain the team for two more days of continuous
dismounted operation. Batteries can be recharged using collective
devices. These will be integrated into the futuristic
EBRC, AMX-10P,
VBCI and VAB armored
vehicles, in support of FELIN equipped infantry teams.
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