Standardised and future-proof: Multimedia Equipment Defence
In a digitally shaped world where information has to be available in a matter of seconds, modern multimedia equipment is indispensable for the Armed Forces. It enables the reliable recording, processing and presentation of data – regardless of location, environment or infrastructure. With the procurement project Multimedia Equipment Defence (MME D), armasuisse is contributing to the basic principles for an army with strategic management – even under extreme conditions.
Julia Krummenacher, Specialist area Communication, Strategic Staff
A sudden snowstorm descends upon a high mountain camp of the Armed Forces. The troops are isolated in the bitter cold, with poor visibility and impaired radio connection. These and similar extreme situations require a robust technical infrastructure.
Thanks to modern satellite-based communication systems, high-resolution drone cameras, as well as efficient data processing units, an up-to-date operational picture of the situation can be created quickly. In order for operational control to make quick, well-founded decisions on possible rescue operations, position information must be transmitted in real time to the situation monitoring centres of the Armed Forces, where it can be clearly visualised.
This is exactly where the procurement project Multimedia Equipment Defence (MME D) comes in. It ensures that data can be reliably received, processed, transmitted and presented, even under the most difficult conditions.
Procuring flexible media technology for deployment and training
The procurement project Multimedia Equipment Defence from armasuisse includes the provision of robust audio and video systems for a wide variety of locations – from meeting rooms to training rooms and mobile containers. The troops must therefore be capable of processing and displaying audio and video signals in digital form at any time and in any situation on location, sometimes beyond national border lines.
The MME D is thus used both in everyday working life as well as in training and deployment scenarios. Whether on large screen displays in meeting rooms or mobile communications solutions in the field – the requirements are very diverse. At the same time, the solution must always be safe, flexible and reliable.
Not only the Armed Forces benefit from these multimedia systems. Numerous federal offices, including the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP), the Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO), the Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics (FOBL) and armasuisse also rely on the same multimedia infrastructure.
Range of requirements in procurement
«Regardless of what armasuisse obtains, whether simple or complex, there will always be situations in which the decision-makers in Defence rely on large-format presentation options», says Andreas Körner, project manager of Multimedia Equipment. The multimedia equipment thus makes an important contribution to the success of other procurement projects from armasuisse and supports its function as an overall system.
Accordingly, the procurement of these communications solutions is also subject to various requirements: The solutions should exhibit the highest possible level of performance, a low degree of complexity and very high security standards – all at the lowest possible costs and while complying with the legal regulations in public procurement.
Regardless of what armasuisse obtains, whether simple or complex, there will always be situations in which the decision-makers in Defence rely on large-format presentation options.
Fast, cost-effective and proven: Standard solutions according to the COTS principle
To meet the diverse requirements, the MME D relies on commercially available products according to the Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) principle. These proven technologies come from the civilian market, are readily available, cost-effective and have established support. In addition, specific requirements are taken into account, including those of the federal government and the DDPS, for example in the area of cyber security.
«Thanks to MME D framework contracts, provision for the end users is considerably faster. Orders can be triggered in a simple manner and without lengthy procedures», explains project manager Andreas Körner. Here, the MME D system team, consisting of employees from Defence and armasuisse work together closely to optimally implement the requirements. «The long-term cooperation with suppliers also accelerates this process. They know exactly what we need and what is particularly important for us in terms of communications solutions».
Based on the various different requirement profiles which MME D solutions need to meet, three standard solutions with different degrees of requirements are provided today (simple, medium and high). Depending on requirements, the MME system consists of various different audio and video components. These range from mobile projectors to UHD displays and loudspeakers, as well as video walls – suitable for fixed installations or mobile container solutions.
Outlook – the digital future of the Armed Forces
Progressive digitalisation, technological innovations and their modern form of application require the Armed Forces to increasingly create information in digital form and to transmit it efficiently – be it in training, operational control or in daily life. Multimedia Equipment Defence has been supporting these processes for decades and forms a key pillar for the digital transformation of the Armed Forces.