AMR Future Brief| Advances in Internet of Military Things (IoMT) Empowering Military Operations with Greater Efficiency

Technology has always been intrinsic in various military affairs. Based on history, most battlefield victories were achieved by utilizing the strengths of military equipment. Gradually, the continuous progress in science and technology has equipped the military sector with advanced weapons having greater capabilities. Currently, in the age of the internet, the Internet of Military Things (IoMT) has reshaped the military sector with unprecedented connectivity and intelligence. IoMT is a burgeoning field that involves the integration of various military assets, devices, and a complex network of interconnected entities with the internet. This technology enables military personals with enhanced communication and data exchange. From advanced sensor networks to the integration of artificial intelligence, IoMT is at the forefront of robust digital enablement in the defense sector.??

Modern technologies in IoMT reshaping various military operations?

IoMT devices generate enormous volumes of data that need to be processed, analyzed, and stored. To handle and manage such a huge set of data, edge computing and cloud infrastructure are gaining huge prominence in this domain. Edge computing is a decentralized approach that essentially decouples technological resources from the centralized cloud. This technology allows for data processing and analytics at the edge of the network, hence, reducing latency and enabling real-time decision making. Additionally, cloud infrastructure offers scalable storage and computing resources besides facilitating data aggregation, advanced analytics, and remote access to sensitive information.??

Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence also plays a major role in the effective analysis of the vast amount of data flowing from several IoT-based devices. AI technologies such as machine learning, in conjunction with big data analytics have the potential to scan larger volumes of data and make predictive analysis. The technology can be incorporated across various activities in the domain such as logistics, maintenance, open-source intelligence to support battlefield intelligence.??

Recently, in September 2023, the United States Army Research Lab invested $25 million for Internet of Battlefield Things Research on Evolving Intelligent Goal-driven Networks to develop new predictive battlefield analytics.??

On the other hand, the growing developments in IoT come along with serious cyber threats. The use of smart devices within a communications network has potentially put military networks and communication systems at risk. However, the innovations in encryption techniques have secured communication protocols and threat detection systems to protect critical military assets and sensitive information from hostile actors. These techniques have the feasibility to be applied at any level, such as applications, network, devices, data levels, and storage. ?

Alliances made by Forescout Technologies to expand healthcare cybersecurity?

In February 2022, Forescout Technologies, the global leader in active defense for the Enterprise of Things, announced its acquisition of CyberMDX, a leading provider of healthcare cybersecurity. With this acquisition, Forescout aimed to strengthen its position as the industry leader in out-of-the-box support for the broadest set of connected device types across IoT, OT, and IoMT devices. The company aimed to serve military personals with increased device visibility and control, ensuring them to see all the devices connected to the networks, continuously, and in real-time.??

Real-world scenarios of IoMT impacting the military sector?

IoMT technologies play a big role in performing predictive maintenance for military vehicles. The embedded sensors equipped within vehicles continuously monitor engine performance which enable the military executives to predict the failure of parts at prior. This allows for proactive maintenance scheduling, significantly reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of military assets.??

Moreover, nowadays, soldiers are using wearable IoMT devices to track vital signs in real-time, enabling them to detect stress or other health illnesses. The devices can also act as injury indicators, facilitating soldiers with prompt medical responses and contribute to long-term health monitoring. In many countries, soldiers have actively started using IoMT devices to safeguard their health during service and beyond.??

Another big reason behind the increased deployment of these high-tech technologies in the military sector is to improve situational awareness on the battlefield. The networked sensors and drones collect and relay comprehensive environmental data to provide commanders with a detailed understanding of the terrain, enemy movements, and potential threats.??

In a nutshell, the Internet of Military Things revolutionizes various military operations by leveraging connectivity, AI, data analytics, and advanced sensors. This technology is expected to become a growing necessity for the modern battlefields by enabling military personals anticipate and covert many future crises with quicker actions driven by real-time IoT-based data.?

To identify emerging trends and opportunities in the internet of military things (IoMT) industry, feel free to contact our industry specialists today! You can also chat with them directly regarding any query!?

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