Chapter 90: Base Integration (5)

The integrated helmet ensemble subsystem in the equipment planned for the future Army Warrior uses advanced materials. It is lighter, yet provides shell ballistic protection superior to that of pre-apocalypse helmets. The complete integrated helmet ensemble subsystem is lighter and more comfortable than existing helmets. Mounted on the helmet are a computer and sensor display devices, serving as the soldier’s interface with other subsystems and with the digitized battlefield. Through the helmet-mounted display, the soldier can view computer-generated graphics, digital maps, intelligence materials, and troop locations, as well as imaging from thermal weapon sights and cameras mounted on weapons. This new capability allows the soldier to look around a corner, acquire a target, and then fire without exposing himself, revealing to the enemy only his arms and hands. By scanning an area with the thermal sight on his weapon, the soldier will be able to discern the features of the terrain and the positions of enemy forces, and will be able to see through false camouflage and deception. An image intensifier in the night-vision sensor display on the weapon subsystem feeds information to his computer processor, which processes the data and displays it on the helmet-mounted display, allowing the soldier to maneuver and engage targets concealed by darkness. Using the Army Warrior helmet-mounted display will allow infantrymen to call up situational imagery, send messages, and request fire support, all with nothing more than a click of the mouse.

The infantryman will carry the computer and wireless electronics system attached to the upper section of his backpack load-bearing frame. The upper portion contains the radio equipment, while the lower portion includes the computer processor and global positioning module. For individual soldier equipment, the computer processor is integrated together with the radio equipment and the BeiDou positioning receiver into the computer and wireless electronics system, merging separate displays, controllers, and mounting frames, thereby reducing weight and power consumption. The antennas for the global positioning system and the radio are embedded within the load-bearing frame. A finger-touch control device, attached to the backpack and secured to the soldier’s chest, functions like a computer mouse and allows the wearer to switch screens, adjust the radio, change frequencies, and transmit digital information. Additional functions are controlled by several buttons positioned on the rifle near the trigger finger, allowing the soldier to maintain a firing posture.

The computer and wireless electronics system is designed in two configurations: the commander version includes two radio units and a flat panel display and keyboard mounted on the outer side of the forearm, while the soldier version has only one radio unit. The radio provides voice and data communications within a limited range at squad level. The commander-version radio is based on a repackaged commercial radio and is fully compatible with the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System. The soldier radio is based on a repackaged handheld commercial radio.

The Army Warrior computer and wireless electronics system provides an integrated digital map and positioning/navigation system for battlefield information, enabling soldiers to determine both their own and other friendly units’ locations, as well as the known positions of enemy forces. This will save time and make soldiers more capable and more combat-effective in battle.

Using the computer and wireless electronics system, commanders and soldiers, or soldiers among themselves, can exchange information. For example, soldiers can send video from the cameras mounted on their weapons to their commanders. By strengthening command and control, it greatly improves situational awareness and survivability. All of this provides soldiers with unprecedented tactical awareness, one of the greatest strengths and advantages a soldier can possess on the battlefield, making performance in combat exceptionally proactive.

Within the computer and wireless electronics system, the computer and radio will be combined and embedded into a new networked device. It will consist of a series of card-like systems about the size of credit cards, only slightly thicker.

The open architecture of the computer and radio allows both hardware and software to be inserted directly in future upgrades. The system is also being prepared for future implementation of combat identification and other emerging technologies.

Minister Liu looked at the bewildered leading members of the special committee who had just been briefed, and with no small degree of satisfaction, continued, “This is a weapons system developed for use against human enemies. What we need to do now is adapt it into a system for use against both zombies and humans.”

The special committee transferred Sun Xiaoshan to oversee the Army Warrior equipment transformation program; they truly did not trust the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Beijing Hotel, Special Committee Office.

“Ah,” said Li Fengyi with feigned surprise, wanting to credit his brother, “Xiaoshan really has it hard. A martial arts expert like him was forced to run all over the courtyard.”

“Heh heh,” said Army Commander Liu kindly. Since reuniting with the brother forces, he had always looked at the special committee staff with this same gentle expression. “Yes, he was fighting with great spirit.”

“Could it be that he practiced the Six Gentle Swords of the Lone Hero?” Seeing Liu admit it, Li Fengyi was quite pleased. Although since the two military groups had returned to the mountains, Army Commander Liu had often worn that inexplicable smile whenever he looked toward the mountain district, Li Fengyi did not think it would have any effect on the special committee. The special committee itself had been built by everyone together, and Liu was already one of its three great pillars. In the absence of an emperor, one who stood at the pinnacle of power among ministers was himself one of the emperors. What benefit could betrayal bring Liu personally?

“It was just ordinary army bayonet training,” Army Commander Liu said, shaking his head. “When it’s mastered, nothing standing before it can withstand the blow. It’s not that one man can beat dozens or hundreds; zombies don’t count. As long as there are two ordinary people, with one willing to die, they may well be able to take Xiaoshan down very easily. But if three men stand back to back and form a tactical team, they can hold off ten or twenty people without any trouble at all.”

“The key is that kind of invincible spirit in bayonet fighting, that eye for combat, that speed.” Recalling the blood-and-fire years, Army Commander Liu thought of several bayonet masters and sighed, “The best soldiers are those who dare to meet the enemy blade with their own.”

“You, back then?” Li Fengyi looked at him admiringly.

“Heh heh, I wasn’t much good,” Army Commander Liu said frankly, to Li Fengyi’s surprise. “In my first year in the army, a fellow came at me with a bayonet, and I was so frightened I fainted.”

Li Fengyi . . .

The United Front Department contacted the two mountain armies and arranged to hold a celebration for Army Day on August 1, to bolster human confidence and, at the same time, spiritually reconnect all the army units across the country that could be reached. The People’s Liberation Army was still that iron army; it could not be broken!

The special committee’s propaganda department received orders to arrange a grand military parade in full detail—since no one could be found who had done a parade before, they had no choice but to put them in charge.