"Internet of Military Things"

Introduction to "Internet of Military Things"

The military is not an exception to the potential uses of the Internet of Things (IoT), a technology that has gained popularity in recent years. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected devices that can share data, communicate with one another, and carry out a variety of tasks.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has several advantages for military applications, from optimizing logistics and maintenance procedures to enhancing communication and situational awareness. To track their movements, monitor vital signs, and identify environmental conditions, IoT sensors can be mounted on vehicles, drones, and soldiers. Military leaders can use this data to give them real-time information so they can make better decisions.

The term "Internet of Military Things" refers to a broad category of devices with built-in virtual or cyber interfaces that are capable of intelligent physical sensing, learning, and actuation. These gadgets include things like sensors, vehicles, robots, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), human-wearable gadgets, biometrics, ammunition, armour, and other cutting-edge technology.

  History

During the 1960s, the U.S. military played a significant role in advancing IoMT technology by investing in the development of sensor networks and low-power computing platforms for defense applications. As part of the Cold War effort, the military utilized wireless sensor networks to track and detect Soviet submarines, including the Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS), which consisted of underwater acoustic sensors or hydrophones placed across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. These sensors acted as underwater listening posts for above-ground facilities. The sensor and networking technologies developed during this time by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) formed the basis for modern IoT systems. The DoD's contribution to IoT research was also critical with the creation of ARPANET, a precursor to the internet used by geographically-dispersed military scientists to share data in the late 1960s.      

                                                   

Figure no 01 Interconnection between forces 

The four groups of IOMT devices are:

• Wearable Devices:

These are devices that can be worn by military personnel and are used to collect data on their physical activity, health, and location. Examples of wearable devices include smartwatches, fitness trackers, and GPS devices.

• Embedded Devices:

These are devices that are embedded into military equipment and vehicles to monitor their performance and usage. Examples of embedded devices include sensors, cameras, and GPS tracking devices.

• Environmental Sensors:

These are devices that are used to monitor environmental conditions in military operations. Examples of environmental sensors include temperature and humidity sensors, air quality sensors, and radiation detectors.

• Infrastructure Devices:

These are devices that are used to support the deployment and operation of IOMT systems. Examples of infrastructure devices include routers, gateways, and servers.

 The Internet of Things (IoT) has already had a significant impact on defence and military operations, and the future of IOT in this field looks even more promising. The potential of IoT devices will only grow as technology develops. 

                                                                                

Figure no 02 Application of IOT 

Application of IOT in Military /Defence

• Smart Cities and Bases:

IoT devices may be used to build smart cities and bases that monitor and optimize the usage of resources like water, electricity, and trash disposal. The dependency on outside resources may be reduced by designing smart cities and bases to be self-sufficient and sustainable.

•  Health Monitoring:

Military personnel's health and wellbeing may be tracked via IoT devices, which can provide real-time information on their vital signs, physical activity, and sleep habits. This information may be utilized to improve training and recuperation plans as well as identify possible health problems before they get out of hand.

•  Logistics and Supply Chain Management:

IoT devices may be used by military organisations to monitor and improve their supply chain and logistical operations. This entails keeping track of the movement of employees, tools, and supplies as well as keeping an eye on stock levels and determining when replenishment is necessary.

•  Autonomous Weapons Systems:

IoT devices may be used to create autonomous weapons systems, enabling real-time decision-making based on sensor data. The risk to human operators is decreased by the deployment of these devices for reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike operations.

•  Cybersecurity:

Cybersecurity is becoming more and more important as IoT devices are used in military and defence activities. Future advancements in Internet of Things cybersecurity will concentrate on building stronger and more secure systems, defending against cyberattacks, and avoiding the compromise of critical military data.

• Identify the Enemy

In military operations, IoT can assist in identifying the enemy through surveillance using sensors like cameras and drones, intercepting and analysing enemy communications through signals intelligence, collecting and analysing biometric data with IoT wearables, fusing IoT data with other sources of intelligence through data fusion, and using precision-guided munitions to hit enemy forces based on real-time data on their positions and movements provided by IoT sensors.

• Battlefield Data.

Using IoT technologies, military defence operations can collect useful battlefield data. Wearable sensors can detect enemy activity while sensors can track army movements and ambient variables. The data should be protected from unauthorised access since it improves situational awareness and decision-making. Additionally, IoT improves equipment performance and guarantees the wellbeing of soldiers. IoT sensors can forecast enemy movements and plan defences by observing hostile behaviour. IoT improves situational awareness and operational performance overall in military defence operations.

• Remote Training

By developing virtual and augmented reality simulations, using wearable technology to track and monitor performance, gathering data for analysis and identifying areas for improvement, and connecting military personnel with remote instructors for real-time feedback and direction, IoT can be used for remote training in military applications. The efficacy of training and training programme optimisation are improved by these remote training techniques that let military personnel practise in a variety of settings and circumstances without the requirement for physical equipment or places.

The Advantages and Drawbacks of IoMT:

Advantages:

• Improved Situational Awareness
• Enhanced Communication
• Reduced Risk
• Cost Savings
• Improved Efficiency

Drawbacks:

• Security Risks
• Privacy Concerns
• Complexity
• Dependence on Technology
• Cost

Conclusion:

The Internet of Military Things (IoMT) has the potential to revolutionize military operations and significantly improve situational awareness, communication, logistics, and efficiency. When IoT devices are used in military applications, they can deliver real-time data, empowering decision-makers to take well-informed decisions quickly, improving the efficiency of military operations. The implementation of IoMT, however, also comes with a number of difficulties, such as security threats, interoperability problems, high costs, and ethical dilemmas. IoMT is a potential technology for boosting the capabilities and effectiveness of military forces on the contemporary battlefield despite these difficulties.

 The Future Scope :

The future scope of the Internet of Military Things (IoMT) includes the development of autonomous systems, advanced analytics, swarm intelligence, blockchain technology, and the deployment of 5G technology. These advancements can enable IoMT devices to collect and analyze real-time data, make better-informed decisions, and improve operational efficiency. Additionally, the use of swarms of autonomous drones or robots can provide military forces with enhanced capabilities, while blockchain technology can provide secure and transparent data management and sharing. The deployment of 5G technology can also provide high-speed, low-latency connectivity, enabling real-time data exchange and communication across the battlefield.

References :

• Gotarane, V., & Raskar, S. (2019). IoT Practices in Military Applications. 2019 3rd International Conference on Trends in Electronics and Informatics (ICOEI). doi:10.1109/icoei.2019.8862559
• https://www.army-technology.com/sponsored/how-military-uses-of-the-iot-for-defence-applications-are-expanding/
• https://www.shiksha.com/online-courses/articles/applications-of-internet-of-things-iot-in-defence-and-military/