EDA readies GOSSRA soldier modernisation pitch to NATO

The European Defence Agency (EDA) is to hand over proposals for its Generic Open Soldier System Reference Architecture (GOSSRA) to NATO in May, as the alliance considers adopting it as a standardisation recommendation (STAREC).

The EUR1.5 million (USD1.62 million) multinational GOSSRA project, which was launched in 2018 by the European Union under the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) scheme, featured a consortium led by Rheinmetall Electronics (Germany) that also included GMV (Spain), iTTi (Poland), Tekever-ASDS (Portugal), Larimart (Italy), Leonardo (Italy), SAAB (Sweden), Indra (Spain), and TNO (the Netherlands).

A consortium of companies from across Europe conducted a final demonstration of the GOSSRA concept ahead of its acceptance by NATO as a standard agreement.

The project was initiated to develop a common reference architecture covering software, electronics, voice and data communication, sensors, effectors, human interface devices, and C4i in support of soldier modernisation programmes.

The reference architecture represents “best practice, future trends and developments” and proposes standard interfaces to enhance interoperability across the various EU and NATO soldier programmes.

Project officials told Jane’s that GOSSRA formally concluded at the end of April. Findings are to be delivered to the NATO Land Capability Group on Dismounted Soldier Systems in May.

The GOSSRA study culminated in a final demonstration conducted near Madrid on 20 February, comprising a live exercise that showcased the interoperability of soldier systems from EU countries such as Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.

Designed around a ‘loaned radio concept’, the demonstration featured Leonardo S-wave handheld secure wideband soldier radios and included a force protection scenario in which an enemy sniper and suspicious vehicle were observed by coalition forces.