DARPA targets infantry squad effectiveness
Raytheon has been awarded a Phase One contract by DARPA to develop new technologies to increase the effectiveness and safety of infantry squads, the company announced on 21 January.
The contract, valued at $2.5 million, was awarded under DARPA’s Squad X Core Technologies (SXCT) programme. This programme aims to speed development of new, integrated, lightweight systems to provide better awareness, adaptability and flexibility to infantry squads in complex environments. The programme will also help dismounted soldiers and marines to understand and control their mission environments.
Raytheon is a prime contractor for research into technologies for squad autonomy. The SXCT programme will provide real-time knowledge to squad members about their own and teammates’ locations within 20 feet (6 meters) in GPS-denied environments. The new technologies will collaborate with unmanned ground and air systems.
Tom Bussing, vice president, advanced missile systems, Raytheon, said: ‘We are working to enable ground troops to more effectively operate in urban and complex environments. Raytheon’s experience as the systems integrator for DARPA’s Persistent Close Air Support programme, which offered distributed coordination between air and ground forces, will provide an ideal starting point to help squads effectively perform manned and unmanned teaming.’
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![US Army calls for resupply platforms for the Mobile Tactical Cannon]()
US Army calls for resupply platforms for the Mobile Tactical Cannon
The US Army is interested in “innovative, flexible and efficient” capabilities for large-scale combat operations, as well as more agile approaches to improve efficiency and reduce ammunition transfer time.
-
![Leopard MBT: Alpha beast gets a reboot (updated 2026)]()
Leopard MBT: Alpha beast gets a reboot (updated 2026)
Leopard MBTs are German-made main battle tanks that have been in service since the Cold War and have undergone several upgrades to remain competitive in modern warfare. This article traces the history and development of the Leopard 1 and 2 as well as its variants, operational service and future prospects.
-
![Predicted air defence spending boom opens doors to Indian industry]()
Predicted air defence spending boom opens doors to Indian industry
Recent conflicts have created a surge in interceptor demand worldwide while exposing potential supply chain challenges, positioning India as a cost-effective partner and scalable supplier.
-
![March land forces roundup: A new war confronts the old drone problem]()
March land forces roundup: A new war confronts the old drone problem
The attack by the US and Israel on Iran which began at the end of February presented a Ukraine-like scenario of drone-led warfare – in fact the same drone type in the Shahed – and the problem of how to counter them.
-
![The overlooked ally: Canadian support for Ukraine surpasses some European partners]()
The overlooked ally: Canadian support for Ukraine surpasses some European partners
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Canada has committed more military assistance than France in terms of GDP.
