In recent years, the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has continued to increase, especially in war-torn areas such as Afghanistan. In response to this severe challenge, the Australian Defense and Industry sectors have collaborated to develop a new generation of counter-IED equipment, the SilverShield system.
The system is designed for vehicles of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) to protect them from the threat of IEDs detonated by mobile phone signals.
The core function of the SilverShield device is its ability to interfere with specific wireless signals, especially mobile phone signals, as many IEDs are remotely detonated via mobile phones. By blocking the communication signals used by insurgents, SilverShield effectively prevents attacks launched by the enemy using wireless technology.The Australian Department of Defense awarded L-3 Micreo a contract to provide 13,000 such communication signal jammers to the Afghan army, with a total value of A$85 million.
Technical background and development
The technology of the SilverShield system is derived from the Redwing project designed by the Australian Defense Science and Technology Group (DST). Redwing is a mature anti-IED jamming system that was first deployed in Afghanistan in 2015. The Redwing system is divided into two main versions - GreenGum and GreyGum, which are used for personal protection and vehicle protection respectively. These devices are designed to be low-cost, rugged, lightweight and easy to use, and can adapt to harsh combat environments.
| GreenGum | |
| Purpose | GreenGum is a personal handheld counter-IED jammer from the Redwing project, designed for use by soldiers in combat operations. It can effectively jam radio signals of specific frequencies to prevent insurgents from using radio equipment to detonate IEDs. |
| Features | GreenGum is small, light, easy to operate, and suitable for single-person carry. The system is designed to be simple to use, requiring only a small amount of operator training and maintenance, and is adaptable to harsh combat environments. |
| Application | Since 2015, GreenGum has been deployed in light vehicles and ground forces in Afghanistan to help the Afghan army deal with IED threats. |
| GreyGum | |
| Purpose | GreyGum is the vehicle-mounted version of GreenGum, designed for vehicles to protect troops on the move from IED threats. This vehicle-mounted jammer can interfere with specific radio signals, but its design and functions are more suitable for vehicle platforms. |
| Features | The GreyGum system combines simple operation and powerful interference capabilities to ensure the movement and safety of troops in complex environments. Similar to GreenGum, GreyGum also has low-cost, rugged and durable characteristics. |
| Application | The GreyGum system is also deployed in military vehicles in Afghanistan to assist in the implementation of anti-IED missions and ensure the safety of vehicles and personnel on board. |
SilverShield IED jammer upgrade and application
SilverShield is an upgraded version of the Redwing system. In addition to all the functions of the previous version, it has also made technical enhancements to target new IED threats. Installed on a vehicle, it can interfere with nearby wireless signals that may be used to detonate improvised explosive devices in real time, especially mobile phone signals. SilverShield has been tested many times in Australia and Afghanistan, proving its effectiveness and reliability in actual combat environments.
The system can not only defend against currently known IED threats, but also has the potential to deal with new threats in the future. Australian Defense Minister Senator Marise Payn said that the success of the SilverShield and Redwing projects has further promoted the development of Australian defense science and technology. The continuous improvement of this project will provide more powerful technical support for Afghanistan and other allied forces.
Impact on future combat environments
Improvised explosive devices are one of the most deadly weapons in modern warfare. Their low cost and easy manufacturing characteristics make them the weapon of choice for insurgents and terrorists. The threat of IED is not limited to the life safety of soldiers, it will also greatly affect the success rate and efficiency of military operations. In this case, IED signal jammer technology like SilverShield is particularly important.
This Australian IED jammer technology not only protects military vehicles and soldiers in Afghanistan, but also provides a viable solution for other countries around the world that are facing similar threats. The cooperation between the Australian defense and industry sectors shows how technological innovation can save lives and reduce battlefield pressure in actual combat.
The success of the SilverShield project also provides valuable experience for the research and development of future combat protection systems. As the signal jammer technology of improvised explosive devices continues to evolve, future anti-IED equipment needs to be more intelligent and flexible. Australia's anti-IED program shows that when responding to emerging threats, technological innovation and actual deployment must be closely combined.
The successful application of the SilverShield system not only marks Australia's leading position in the field of anti-IED jammer technology, but also provides key protection for battlefield security in Afghanistan. With the continuous updating of technology, more similar systems may be launched in the future to cope with the ever-changing threat environment. The SilverShield and Redwing projects bring not only current security guarantees, but also important directions for the development of future military protection technologies.
