Features

The Soldier Tracker System (STS) serves to further enhance the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)'s safety coverage for navigation teams training in densely forested areas. The device is linked to the satellite services that are networked to the exercise control Headquarters (HQ)'s central tracker system. This allows the exercise control HQ to constantly receive real-time information on the location of the teams, which is presented in a software map. During an emergency situation, the team can make use of the "SOS" (International Morse code distress signal) button to alert the exercise control HQ. Upon verification, an emergency rescue team will be deployed to the designated location.

The STS, which uses data transmission, is able to circumvent constraints caused by radio frequency interference in densely forested environment. This enhances the overall response time to evacuate personnel in distress situations.

Trial results

Prior to the introduction of the STS to Army units and its training centres in June 2014, teams involved in navigation training exercises were equipped with military radio sets and satellite phones. Trial results showed that with the use of the STS, the exercise control HQ was better able to monitor the location of the soldiers through its real-time tracking function.