Against the backdrop of today’s complex and changing global security landscape, the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) will receive a new type of protective equipment designed to improve their ability to defend against the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The new signal jammer device, called SilverShield, was developed in partnership between Australian defense and industry and marks an important advancement in electronic warfare technology to counter the modern combat environment.
SilverShield signal jammer characters and functionality
- Targeting IED Threats: SilverShield is designed to jam specific cell phone signals that are often used by insurgents to remotely activate improvised explosive devices (IEDs), enhancing capabilities to combat this threat.
- Vehicle-mountable design: The device can be mounted directly on Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) vehicles, providing battlefield protection and enhancing combat capabilities.
- Effective Combat Capability: The SilverShield system has been field-tested in Australia and Afghanistan, proving its effectiveness in complex battlefield environments.
- Enhanced Capabilities: SilverShield is an upgrade to the existing GreenGum system, which has been deployed on light vehicles in Afghanistan since 2015, providing improved overall protection.
- Ongoing Technology Development: The project is supported by L-3 Micreo, and will continue to research and develop new product variants to address evolving security threats.
- Low Cost and Easy Operation: Compared to the earlier Redwing handheld IED signal jammer blocker, SilverShield remains low-cost, rugged and lightweight, suitable for use in austere combat environments, and requires minimal operator training and limited logistical support to operate.
Integration with GreenGum System
SilverShield is an upgrade of the L3-Micreo Redwing project in Queensland. Redwing is a handheld portable signal jammer blockers designed by Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DST) to provide a low-cost, lightweight and rugged force protection system for military and police forces. SilverShield enhances the capabilities of the previous GreenGum system, which has been designed for light vehicles deployed in Afghanistan since 2015, further improving the protection capabilities of vehicles.
Devices such as GreenGum and SilverShield performed well in recent field tests in the Kunduz region of Afghanistan, demonstrating their effectiveness in neutralizing IED threats. Since 2015, Redwing devices have been in service with the Afghan National Army, the Afghan National Police, the National Directorate of Security and the Afghan Parliamentary Security Force, saving countless lives and receiving positive feedback.
Improving operational safety
As the fight against insurgents continues, the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces face increasingly complex threats, especially the use of IEDs. These devices not only cause casualties, but also seriously affect the freedom of movement and combat capabilities of the troops. The introduction of SilverShield means that the Afghan army will have greater survivability in modern warfare and be able to more effectively cope with complex combat environments.
SilverShield not only improves the safety of the vehicle, but also greatly reduces the training and logistical support required for the operator, making it easy to deploy and use in harsh combat environments. This easy-to-operate system ensures that the Afghan army can quickly adapt and implement new tactics and enhance its ability to fight insurgents.
Future Outlook of IED Technology
With the promotion of SilverShield, it is expected to have a profound impact on the combat capabilities of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. The successful application of this new equipment may prompt other countries to consider similar electronic warfare technologies to enhance the protection capabilities of their armies in the face of IED threats. Australia's innovation and contribution in this field will provide reference for the development of global defense technology.
In future defense technologies, communication signal jammers like SilverShield will become increasingly important and become an important tool for the armies of various countries to resist new threats in modern warfare.
The successful experience of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces will also provide valuable reference for other countries in formulating counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency strategies.
