Rune Lausund, Chief Scientist and Programme Manager, NORMANS Programme
Keith Cook, Senior Executive Officer, NORMANS Programme
What are the current areas of focus for NORMANS?
Although NORMANS is a soldier modernisation programme that addresses all the NATO domains the
past 18 months has been largely spent on industrialising the C4I component of that programme and
determining the uplift in capability offered by the NORMANS concept of an Advanced (Commander)
and light (Soldier) system. Successful testing has generated the data to support the business case for
the procurement of NORMANS. Therefore, the current focus is on that procurement for the
Norwegian forces and the continuing research into technologies that can be incorporated into future
upgrades.
Why is NORMANS regarded as one of the best examples of soldier modernisation project
management?
NORMANS has been internationally recognised as a good example of a soldier modernisation
project. This is attributable to 3 major factors:
• A robust risk based management approach.
• The use of the NATO framework for modelling and trials.
• A very detailed Integrated Test Evaluation & Acceptance (ITEA) plan linked to a well
developed requirement document set.
What do soldiers think of NORMANS, having tested it in operational test conditions?
Soldiers from the Telemark Battalion have used the NORMANS system in both Operations Other
Than War (dismounted) and War Fighting (mechanised) trials. Soldiers are enthusiastic about the
capabilities that the system provides and have demonstrated them in the successful outcome of
those missions.
How could NORMANS be improved and why?
Technical the NORMANS C4I system used in the trials should be upgraded prior to implementation in
the following areas:
• CPU capability, display, GPS performance and EMC shielding for the advanced hardware
• Mission planning and Graphical User Interface for the advanced software
• Design, size and weight
• Integration with legacy equipment in general and in the power system area in particular
• Robust and sufficient information flow to the higher level C4I system
• Vehicle integration for voice, data and power when mounted
Upgrading NORMANS in all these areas will operationally provide a system that is robust and fully
integrated with the operational tactical C4I system used in the Norwegian battalions.
Which national soldier modernisation projects do you think have lessons to offer the community, and what would they be?
It would be unfair to single out any particular programme because all programmes provide lessons
which others can use be they either good or bad. All soldiers have the same basic requirements and
the key is to how those capabilities are provided in an effective, timely and cost effective way. Some
are more effective than others in achieving this and those projects provide useful lessons that we, as
a community, can benefit from.
What is your advice for industry hoping to innovate for the dismounted soldier?
There are 3 key areas:
• Weight
• Power
• Reliability
The first 2 are current and well understood needs for the dismounted soldier particularly on
extended operations in demanding environments and industry needs to continue to provide
innovation in this area.
On the third point; soldiers will only use systems that are reliable in the information that they
provide. A suggestion would be that industry look at innovative ways to ensure the reliability of
communications under all conditions and circumstances in order to provide that reliability.