Drones, 4G cameras, solar panels, satellite communications and artificial intelligence, all technology which used to be the domain of science fiction films and nebulous strategies for the Army of the future is being increasingly used in the modern world. For 1 Squadron Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment (QOGLR), such technology was the centrepiece of an experimentation exercise conducted in Bramley Training Area in June 2024, which saw seventy soldiers from QOGLR deploy alongside personnel from 27 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps and experts from the Army’s Experimentation and Trials Group (ETG). The aim was to test experimentational equipment in an exercise environment, to see how it could make them more effective in their roles whilst deployed.
As Logistic Specialists, our soldiers have a rich heritage in conducting their trade across the globe, from remote patrol bases or the enormous Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, to established warehouses in the Falkland Islands, Cyprus and Brunei. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made it clear that the security of such ‘permissive’ environments is no longer assured. Modern weapons make anywhere on the battlefield a target. However, the importance of our Logisticians trade becomes apparent, as without it no one else would receive any of their equipment when they need it. Therefore, 1 Squadron wanted to look for new ways of keeping their Field Storage Areas secure whilst keeping their personnel focused solely on their trade tasks.
The exercise scenario provided a threat from organised crime, rather than air strikes or artillery, soldiers needed to keep their stocks monitored and secure. To achieve this, they held two assets, the TAK Camera System operated by ETG, and wireless 4G cameras provided by a civilian company, Farmstream, which specialises in rural security. The TAK System provided a ‘snapshot’ image, triggered by motion in the field of view of the camera, with a description of what the image was (e.g. “armed personnel”) which was generated by artificial intelligence. The Quick Reaction Force could then use this alert to locate and pursue the threat. By contrast, the Farmstream cameras provided a continuous live feed (including audio), meaning remote areas could be monitored in real time. In addition, commanders could call for a drone, also operated by ETG, to track threats dynamically.
In one scenario, wandering civilians were discovered via a TAK System alert, enabling the QRF to meet with them before they moved into any dangerous ammunition storage areas. The Farmstream cameras enabled the QRF to detect criminals attempting to steal from a remote storage location, culminating in a firefight which was all captured on the live feed. Both options enabled the majority of the soldiers to focus on logistic activity, with only a minority allocated to reactive security.
They also tested satellite communications and sustainable power during the exercise. Starlink and a SatCube were used to provide connectivity for the Field Storage Packs (FSPs), machines which the soldiers use to track all military equipment across the world. Traditionally, these rely on 3G or 4G, which are notoriously unreliable and result in soldiers manually accounting for all equipment. They used a large battery, powered by a solar panel, to keep the FSP running for more than ten hours. The Squadron and Troop Headquarters also used these to power their offices and lighting, providing an exciting alternative to cumbersome, noisy fuel generators.
It is hoped that some of this equipment will be bought ‘off the shelf’, meaning it can be purchased immediately, so that the soldiers can further develop procedures for its use and continue to focus their attentions on trade activity rather than security patrols.
