ACACIA Project Offers Groundbreaking Field Computing Aid for French Army.

Initiated by Chief Warrant Officer Louis of the 54th Signals Regiment, the ACACIA project (Assistance for Combatants in Computing and Acquisition) provides a practical solution to the challenges faced by soldiers using conventional computing tools during missions. Supported by the defense innovation agency's participative innovation cell and later forwarded to the Battle Lab Terre for the development of a pilot series, ACACIA is set to transform the way soldiers interact with technology on the ground.
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Acacia, a computer display directly in the eyewear (Picture source: French MoD)

Field operations, particularly those conducted at night, near enemy lines, or under extreme weather conditions, often highlight the inadequacies of standard military computing equipment. ACACIA aims to integrate a robust and user-friendly computer system into soldiers' gear, designed to withstand the demands of the most challenging missions. The system is integrated with ballistic protection helmets and soldier equipment through a durable interface, featuring a Keyboard Video Mouse (KVM) setup. This allows the operator to work with a "virtual screen" simulating an 80 cm display, functional regardless of its orientation.

ACACIA enhances the use of the computing terminal, whether carried or mounted, by being compatible with essential military applications such as electronic warfare, observation aids, battlefield digitization, mapping, and tactical drone control. Meeting the project's goals for visual and auditory discretion, ACACIA also addresses the challenges of energy autonomy with a 72-hour battery life and the standardization of connectors. This setup ensures significant computing power and compatibility with Windows operating systems.

ACACIA is now ready for limited-series production. This development will enable initial deployment within the special forces and intelligence community, providing an opportunity to gather extensive user feedback and assess the potential for broader application.

The 54th Signals Regiment of the French Army is spearheading military innovation by developing technologies aimed at reducing the physical load of their transmitters, whose equipment can sometimes weigh as much as sixty kilograms. Innovations frequently emerge from external operations or training exercises, inspired by recruits and identified operational gaps. In 2022, the regiment's commander established an innovation unit to centralize and promote the most promising ideas. This unit assists creators by providing the necessary expertise to develop their projects. For the year 2023, the defense innovation agency has already approved more than six projects, including Acacia, BA2D, and Jericho. 

Defense News April 2024