MBDA has unveiled a new interactive demonstrator MiC2, which will form a base for the company’s future command and control (C2) systems.
Launched at the ongoing Eurosatory 2014 in Paris, the MBDA Innovative C2 (MiC2) seeks to improve the efficacy of air defence operators and ease their workload.
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The demonstrator has been developed taking into consideration the threat evolution and ever increasing operational demands, the company said.
Leveraging the latest advances in man machine interface (MMI), the demonstrator will enable operators to maximise the deployment and engagement characteristics of each missile involved.
MBDA military air advisor Francois Moussez said the MiC2 demonstrator will enable the company to explore and test the new man-machine interfaces during the execution of an air defence engagement with the customer.
"With MiC2, we can prepare our future product offer and continue to adhere more closely to the evolving operational needs of our customers, while all the time bearing in mind the heavy and lasting pressure on manning levels," Moussez said.
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By GlobalDataFeaturing a smartphones and tablets-inspired MMI, the demonstrator also allows for introduction of technologies, such as voice recognition and eye tracking, which provide fluidity and speed of execution for the operator.
MBDA predicts an increase in demand for C2 systems that can control several layers of air defence as there is a rise in the numbers of sources of information, including active, passive or multi-static radars, video or infra-red panoramic view sensors, and more.
Moussez said the workload for air defence operators will increase as they will have to manage ever more complex systems with extremely demanding target identification requirements.
"It is in thinking about tomorrow that we have decided to consider C2 ergonomics, maintaining the principle of placing of the operator at the centre of the activity and providing him with the information that he needs with a minimum of effort and in the minimum period of time," Moussez added.
Image: MBDA’s new demonstrator is expected to ease the workload of air defence operators. Photo: © Sidonie Deschamps MBDA.
