(NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - September 6, 2009: Fully-armoured and equipped with the latest combat technology, the 24-tonne Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) is the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) latest acquisition as it advances to become a 3rd Generation fighting force.
Fitted with the Battlefield Management System (BMS), the Terrex ICV is networked to other air and land assets such as infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks, artillery platforms, attack helicopters and fighter aircraft. 
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has chosen the Terrex infantry carrier vehicle (ICV), a mine-resistant vehicle that supports enhanced communication between land and air troops in urban warfare.
The ICV, which is designed to withstand mine blasts, will provide air and land surveillance, and locate enemy targets through an all-round camera equipment and navigation system. The vehicle's battlefield management system enables accurate information to be exchanged with other SAF forces, which helps accurately coordinate attacks on targets by air and on land. The vehicle also features all-round camera surveillance, enhanced firepower and a weapon detection system to locate enemy fire. The SAF plans to acquire at least 150 vehicles and will train its infantry troops on the Terrex ICVs in February 2010.
"With the Terrex ICV, we can better bring all the SAF's combat resources to sustain and support the infantryman at the sharp end of the fight," said Colonel (COL) Lim Hock Yu, Chief Infantry Officer and Commanding Officer, 9th Division/Infantry (9 Div/Inf). Purpose-built for urban warfare, the Terrex ICV will be instrumental in overcoming some of the challenges that infantrymen face when fighting in built-up areas.
In urban environments, soldiers have decreased situational awareness, poor intelligence on the enemies' movement and location, amongst other things. In particular, they are vulnerable to ambush," explained COL Lim.
To increase situational awareness for infantry troops, the BMS-enabled Terrex ICV will interface with the Advanced Combat Man System (ACMS) to constantly update infantry troops on enemy movement and location. With a better picture of the operating environment and key battlefield information provided by BMS, soldiers can call for support from air and land forces to coordinate manoeuvres and deliver precision fire on enemy targets.
The ACMS is basically personnel gear retrofitted with an array of sensors, portable computers and smart weaponry that links the wearer to other friendly forces and assets. In addition to providing battlefield information, the Terrex ICV can also hunt for the enemy.
The Weapon Detection System (WDS) on board determines the location of enemy fire by computing sound data gathered by an array of microphones on the vehicle. This information is then shared with other friendly forces via the BMS network.
"The Terrex ICV and BMS connects all the combat power of the SAF so that the soldier in the field is fully linked to other friendly forces. At the same time, it gives the soldier all the information he needs to make decisions and for commanders to direct the battle," said Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Oh Beng Soon, Senior Project Officer, 9 Div/Inf.
Developed by Singapore Technologies Kinetics for the SAF, the Terrex ICV can carry up to 13 soldiers, inclusive of its driver and commander, at speeds of up to 105kmh on normal terrain. It will be launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Mr Teo Chee Hean on 5 Sep at Pasir Laba Camp during the Army Open House from 3 to 7 Sep.
The SAF will acquire at least 135 Terrex ICVs.From Feb next year, all active infantry and guards battalions will begin training to operate from the vehicle.
Fact Sheet: Networking the Third-Generation Infantry
The introduction of the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) marks a significant milestone in the 3rd Generation Army's transformation efforts as it enhances the Army's fighting and networking capabilities. The Terrex ICV provides infantry forces with enhanced protection, mobility and firepower, and also networks soldiers and air and land weapon platforms, thus facilitating the delivery of information, and fires in the battlefield.
The key features of the Terrex ICV are:
a) Enhanced Networking Capabilities:
The Terrex ICV is equipped with the Battlefield Management System (BMS) which allows it to connect with other air and land platforms, such as infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks, artillery, attack helicopters and fighter aircraft, as well as soldiers equipped with the Advanced Combat Man System (ACMS).
With enhanced situational awareness and transmission of key battlefield information provided by the BMS, soldiers can call for support from air and land forces to execute manoeuvres and deliver precision fires on enemy targets.
b) Enhanced Protection:
The Terrex ICV provides enhanced protection for infantry forces. It is designed with a modular protection system, which can be fortified with an add-on armour protection suite to provide all-round protection against conventional threats.
The Terrex ICV is also designed to withstand mine blasts.
c) Enhanced Firepower and Enemy Weapon Detection:
The Terrex ICV is equipped with a fully stabilised Remote Controlled Weapon System (RCWS) that is capable of providing direct precision fires to support infantry forces. The Terrex ICV also has a weapon detection system (WDS) which detects and locates enemy fire. The data collected by the WDS on the origin of the enemy fire is shared with other friendly forces via the BMS network to facilitate the engagement of enemy troops.
d) Enhanced Mobility:
The Terrex ICV has an independent suspension system and large off-road tyres which enhance mobility over various types of terrain. The SAF will begin training all active infantry and guards battalions on the Terrex ICV from February next year.
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