The British Army is set to test a new technology that will allow soldiers to create high-definition 3D maps of the battlefield using drones and smartphones. The software, called Farsight, is designed to improve the situational awareness and safety of troops in complex and contested environments.
Farsight: a fast and flexible mapping tool
Farsight is a software developed by Reveal Technology, an American cyber technology company. It uses photogrammetry, a technique that converts overlapping photographs of an object or area into a 3D model, to create detailed maps from drone footage. The software is compatible with any drone and does not require an internet connection or cloud processing. It can generate a 3D map on a smartphone or tablet in less than 10 minutes.
The software also allows soldiers to analyse the terrain, identify friendly and enemy positions, and mark them on the map. They can also share the models with other units using the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK), a situational awareness app used by the military. Farsight is expected to speed up decision making and increase survivability for the troops on the ground.
British Army Warfighting Experiment: testing future technologies
Farsight is part of the British Army Warfighting Experiment, a programme that aims to explore and evaluate new technologies and concepts for future warfare. The experiment involves testing and trialling innovative solutions from industry and academia that can enhance the capabilities and effectiveness of the Army.
The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £129 million initial contract to deliver drones and Farsight software to the Armed Forces. The Army will receive 99 Stalker and 15 Indago drones, which are small, near-silent, and long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles. The delivery will start in March 2023 and full operational capability for four Future Soldier Batteries will be achieved in 2026.
Farsight: a proven technology in conflict zones
Farsight is not a new technology, but rather an improved version of an existing one. The software has been used in various conflict zones around the world, such as Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It has proven to be effective in providing accurate and timely intelligence to the forces on the ground.
One example of Farsight’s use was in Ukraine in 2022, when it was used to disprove Russian claims that it had targeted a weapons depot in the Kyiv region. The software was able to create a 3D map of the area and show that the target was actually a civilian building.
Owen Cahill, special projects manager at Reveal Technology, said that Farsight is a game-changer for the military. He said: “It will provide the means for the capability to remain at the leading edge of innovation allowing it to adapt to new threats.”
