New Geolocalization System for Soldiers in High-Intensity Combat

Thales has launched VisioLoc, a geolocation system designed for use by land forces in high-intensity collaborative combat in any environment, even when no satellite signal is available, to improve the effectiveness of the augmented soldier without adding to the cognitive and physical burden on the warfighter. 

Used in conjunction with the collaborative, cybersecure capabilities of the Sophie Optima and Sophie Ultima hand-held thermal imagers, the VisioLoc function ushers in a new era of portable soldier optronics for high-intensity collaborative combat.

The new functionality provides a high-performance geolocation capability and generates precise target coordinates even when no Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal is available.

Using the Sophie Optima thermal imager and the VisioLoc function, the soldiers can make a positive ID on a target and determine its precise coordinates even in low light conditions, without having access to a GNSS signal. The geolocation coordinates are so precise that an artillery unit can process the information directly and engage the target straight away to provide critical fire support for the front-line unit.

Thales claims VisioLoc is a disruptive innovation in the soldier optronics market. Its ability to generate high-precision geolocation coordinates dispenses with the need for fire adjustment procedures, which can currently take up to 20 minutes. Once fire support has been called in, the VisioLoc function reduces the time it takes for an artillery unit to engage the target by a factor of three or even four. In a high-intensity combat situation, the time savings can be crucial to force protection and effective action against the enemy.

VisioLoc provides leaders of special forces units and sections or platoons deployed in forward positions with a high-precision, jam-resistant geolocation function with an equipment weighing less than 3 kg. VisioLoc can be set up simply (on a tripod or hand-held) in under four minutes and offers an unprecedented level of performance in terms of reliability, precision and readiness for action.

The VisioLoc function upgrades and modernizes the capabilities of front-line units and represents a step change in tactical operations by land forces. With Visioloc, the portable optronics equipment used by tactical commanders is fully capable of responding to the new paradigm of high-intensity combat.

“With the VisioLoc function, Thales is able to provide land forces with a unique combat capability in non-permissive environments and the ability to dramatically accelerate the OODA loop,” said Benoit Plantier, Vice President, Optronics and Missile Electronics, Thales. “With VisioLoc, the portable optronics equipment used by tactical commanders is fully capable of responding to the new paradigm of high-intensity combat.” 

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