Innovation creates better or more effective processes, technologies and ideas and products. Innovative technologies fuel military capabilities; the military continually seeking technology and creative ideas to gain that needed edge over the enemy.
At CJ, I guess we practice a form of “end-use” innovation, keeping the focus on the users needs, both physical and human feel. A recognized need, one the three required things of innovation according to Joseph Engleberges’ “Sources of Innovation”. Our latest bit of innovation is our improvements on the standard military speaker microphone. We have added improved audio and options such as a built-in high/low volume switch. Yet more over, we had designed it to feel comfortable, discussing with the users to meet their needs. It is our little bit of innovation.
The Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts have exposed somewhat of a gap in this needed innovation. Reacting to IED’s, sniper attacks, the enemy has had the U.S. military reacting to enemy tactics rather than anticipating. I have heard many soldiers and officers request more focus on development of new apparatus and improved weapons designed for the current need. For the near future, the military does have their wish list, which requires innovation. From “lightening the load” and remote robots to the big items such as quite helicopters and fast attack dune buggies, the list is not that large, but crucial.
In our field of communications, the need is to have communications available at anytime, anywhere. High-speed mobile broadband is a military holy grail. Soldiers want the ability to communicate, as well as exploit the capabilities of the latest smartphones. FM radios don’t cut it anymore. Troops want the same technology that powers high-speed commercial cellular networks so they can send photos, video and keep track of their unit’s location. The innovation here will also to determine if each soldier needs command decision technologies or if the system should be tailor fit for the “end-user” innovation.
The Army sooner, rather than later, must bridge the bandwidth deficiency gap that exists today in combat zones. The contrast between the connectivity that soldiers are accustomed to at home and what is given to them when they deploy is unacceptable, commanders contend. Experts predict that as 4G networks roll out globally during the next decade, the military will not only benefit from more reliable networks, but it also will be able to use smart radios that can frequency hop and take advantage of unused spectrum.
Innovation is the key to success in supporting today’s warfighter. Focusing on the needs of the end-user is probably the best way to achieve it.
David Howe
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