Rheinmetall’s Networked Soldier System Enhanced with with Digital Maps

Founded in 1889 as Rheinische Metallwaaren- und Maschinenfabrik Actiengesellschaft, Rheinmetall is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. Today, the company delivers advanced defense and technology systems for modern armed forces.

As global conflicts grow more complex, improving situational awareness has become critical for effective coordination, decision-making, and tactical leadership across operations. To address this, Rheinmetall is improving situational awareness with a networked soldier system supported by digital maps. By providing real-time visibility across connected forces, these maps make all the difference for tactical leadership, enabling faster, more informed decisions in dynamic operational environments.

In view of the increasing frequency and intensity of conflicts and military confrontations worldwide, networked soldier systems are gradually coming into focus as part of digitalization strategies. Global power shifts, technological armament, and hybrid threat scenarios require a new quality of military response capability.

In the wake of digitalization, connecting soldiers with their means of deployment is an important task. The aim is to improve leadership and assertiveness for the military forces by increasing their situational awareness. Digital situational awareness maps based on the latest Esri technology play a central role here: They visualize the positions of all own forces in the area of operations in real time as well as positions of informed enemy forces, thus creating a comprehensive overview of the situation.

Intelligent networking also makes it possible to issue commands centrally and digitally, thus saving time and reducing sources of error. Situational awareness information must be quickly transmitted to the appropriate authorities to be evaluated. Fast and coordinated decision-making in complex conflict situations is only possible if everyone involved—from the dismounted soldier to the command post—has access to up-to-date, precise data.

The Gladius networked soldier system (German version: Infanterist der Zukunft - Erweitertes System, or IdZ-ES) represents a milestone in digital combat management. It enables communication and the exchange of information between dismounted soldiers and vehicles in real time. Isolated units and data silos are now a thing of the past: The continuous flow of data ensures networked, responsive units. Rheinmetall’s system is also prepared for the connection to the Digitalization Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) information and communication network in Germany.

Offering networked operational command with precise location detection, the Gladius system combines physical equipment with modern information flows to create a powerful platform for communication and situational awareness management. Thanks to the integrated battle management system, it enables a dynamic and highly detailed display of the operational situation in real time, significantly supporting decision-making processes and promoting the force’s ability to act in a coordinated manner.

This solution uses numerous sensors and effectors on vehicles and personnel, whose data is transmitted digitally. Thus, the location of all own forces is precisely recorded and visualized on shared digital maps. These maps can be filtered flexibly—setting filters, for example, by people, regions, or equipment—and thus provide a comprehensive overview of the operational area so that military command can design the overview according to their needs.

In addition to location, terrain, and analysis data, information on infrastructure such as bridges or supply points as well as meteorological data are included. ArcGIS Maps SDKs for Native Apps from Esri was used to create custom apps that deliver geographical situational awareness for operational use on the battlefield.

“With the networked IdZ-ES soldier system, we are creating a precise, digital overview of the situation in real time, which enables everyone involved to make quick and coordinated decisions even in complex operational situations,” said Timo Bürger, head of sales C4I systems at Rheinmetall. “The integration of state-of-the-art Esri technology not only makes modern combat management more effective but also increases the safety of soldiers.”

The Gladius system has proven itself both on training grounds and in the field and has become an integral part of modern battle management. All relevant information is bundled and clearly visualized at the control desk located at the command post to ensure a comprehensive overview of the situation at all times.

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr, or BAAINBw) entered a master agreement with Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH for the subsequent procurement of the system for several platoon systems in 2025. This will systematically drive forward the digitalization of the battlefield and the networking of land forces.

Thanks to digital maps and comprehensive information, soldiers are well prepared for their deployment—supported by an informed situational assessment preceding their deployment.

Plans no longer have to be issued on paper but can be created individually and assigned to specific individuals. Everyone involved works with the same continually updated map, which means that information is exchanged more precisely, quickly, and reliably.

This reduces misunderstandings and pressure to act and facilitates communication and cooperation, increasing security thanks to a uniform situational picture. Another advantage: Reconnaissance results can be automatically transmitted to the control center by radio. The processes carried out can then be analyzed in detail, assessed, and evaluated as a team effort.

The Gladius system and its German version Infanterist der Zukunft - Erweitertes System (IdZ-ES) thus create a comprehensive intelligence system that enables effective and seamless interaction between soldiers and technology, significantly improving the tactical ability to act.

“The powerful IdZ-ES software and also the trusting cooperation with our partners such as Esri are prerequisites for the upcoming deliveries to the forces. A strong contribution to this turning point,” said Olaf Aul, head of system engineering at Rheinmetall.