Boots, eyes, and radios: how infantry units deploy observation and communication on the battlefield

Design
Soldier
Defence

© Ludovic Borde - Blue Production - Thales

Type Insight
Published 18 June 2025

On the battlefield, some are the first to step out. Before any manoeuvre begins, they move in—quietly, in threes. Camouflaged, discreet, connected, they are the eyes and ears of the combat group. Meet the disembarked infantry soldier: a frontline fighter, backed by technology, and rooted in the very ground they move through.

A role at the heart of action

The dismounted infantryman is the foundational unit of modern combat. Whether corporal or soldier, their mission remains unchanged: fulfill the mission, protect their team, and minimise losses.

As soon as they set foot outside the vehicle, they becomes the key players for observation, reconnaissance, intelligence and establishing communications. They usually operate from an mid-size vehicle like the Griffon, medium wheeled armored vehicle—designed for mobility, protection, and tactical connectivity.

Soldiers debarking from Griffon © Cyrielle Sicard - ECPAD - Défense

The mission starts with three soldiers. They disembark to perform initial reconnaissance. They observe, map out access points, assess risks and opportunities. Equipped with lightweight night-vision binoculars, sensors, and sometimes backed by ANAFI drones, they gather vital intel and send it back to their vehicle through systems like SICS (Scorpion Information Combat System) or the Combat Digital Platform.

Their watchword: stealth. Every sound, every misstep can compromise the mission. They move light, stay hidden, stay focused.

Observation © Photopointcom - Thales
Surveillance © Francois GUENET
Intelligence © Thales

Communicate to manoeuvre effectively

Once the first recon is done, these three soldiers set up an autonomous, secure radio network. Thanks to the FELIN system (infantryman with integrated gear and communications systems) and its bone-conduction communications (transmitting sound through the skull), they can speak without giving away their position. 

This simple yet resilient radio network is then expanded to the rest of the brigade. Information flows in short, rapid loops—enabling swift, coordinated, efficient action.

An augmented soldier

The infantry soldiers are no longer who they used to be. They’re equipped, connected, enhanced.

Thanks to the FELIN system, they can:

Pinpoint threats on a geospatial tablet;
Detect and hear incoming fire as if it had spatial sound direction;
Aim without exposure via off-axis shooting systems;
Adapt to any condition with a modular, submersible helmet offering active hearing protections and advanced filters.

They live with their gear. A communication cable discreetly runs from their chest mic to their ears, wrapping behind their torso—fully integrated into his uniform.

Making the battlefield a temporary home

When infantry dismounts, they set up shop. They adapt their space, personalize it, make it “home” for the mission’s duration. They live at the pace of the operation, shaping their environment as they go. Here, high tech meets low tech. Advanced digital tools coexist with field-made hacks. A single item must serve multiple purposes, favoring lightweight and compact toolings—the “Swiss army knife” mindset is standard.

Today’s infantry soldier must master technical systems in unstable, high-stakes environments. Jamming, miniaturized devices, connected gear—everything evolves fast. The challenge? Designing very intuitive, accessible systems that let soldiers act without hesitation. Their body already knows what to do: training engrains precise movements into muscle memory. Daily drills turn gestures into reflexes.

Soldier Experience: a high-stakes reality

Designing for the disembarked soldier: a boots-on-the-ground need

Designing for these troops means going where they operate. Climbing into the Griffon, witnessing the drills, understanding the rhythm, the adaptations, the mental load.

Immersive simulation rooms can help, but nothing replaces field observation. Because the dismounted soldier never acts alone—They move as one with their team. Every motion is coordinated, every gesture precise. This is choreography built on thousands of hours of training to survive—A daily challenge for our Designers.

This persona is more than a user—it’s a key actor of modern combat, standing at the intersection of body, technology, and collective action. Designing for them means designing for the human being in its most demanding form.