German soldiers are on the verge of receiving new situational awareness software as Danish company Systematic has inked a contract to provide the Bundeswehr with SitaWare Edge. This software is tailored specifically for dismounted troops operating in rapidly changing and often disconnected environments.
SitaWare Edge is designed to deliver comprehensive planning tools to soldiers via mobile devices or tablets, ensuring an intuitive user experience that requires minimal training. The software integrates features such as mapping, force tracking, chat functionalities, and mission planning into a single interface. By accommodating third-party applications, the system allows frontline commanders to share intelligence, monitor troop movements, and coordinate operations in real-time. This digital solution aims to bridge the communications gap between soldiers on the ground and the higher command structures.
One of the standout features of SitaWare Edge is its capability to support secure communications even in circumstances where networks may be constrained or entirely unavailable. The software primarily relies on tactical radios, satellites, and other low-bandwidth channels to maintain connectivity, ensuring that soldiers can stay in touch and informed.
In addition to the software, the contract includes a development package that enables the Bundeswehr to tailor the system according to specific operational requirements. This customization capability allows for the integration of additional features that cater to the unique challenges faced by the German Armed Forces.
Sven Trusch, Managing Director of Systematic Germany, remarked that the rollout of SitaWare Edge marks a pivotal advancement in delivering robust software solutions directly to the frontline of military operations.
This agreement is part of Germany’s broader Mission Enabling Service, an initiative aimed at modernizing the digital command and control capabilities of the military across various operational domains, including land, sea, and air. The modernization efforts focus on creating a unified information network, facilitating rapid and reliable communication, and enhancing situational awareness from high command down to individual soldiers in the field.
Moreover, this initiative aligns seamlessly with NATO’s emphasis on networked forces and improved interoperability, a priority established in the Digital Transformation Vision agreed upon in 2022. By upgrading its command and control (C2) systems, Germany seeks to enhance its operational agility and foster more effective collaboration with allied forces during joint missions.
Systematic’s solutions are already an integral part of the Bundeswehr’s digital modernization efforts. This collaboration was further solidified in 2023 through the establishment of a seven-year maintenance agreement, ensuring ongoing updates, support, and integration of the SitaWare suite across multiple platforms.
Trusch noted that the Bundeswehr’s existing familiarity with SitaWare reinforces the trust built through ongoing cooperation, highlighting the German military’s confidence in expanding the use of the software.
