Norway-led project advances on smart combat uniforms

How can a single uniform function in Arctic cold and Mediterranean heat while continuously monitoring a soldier’s health and protective equipment?

This is the ambition of Armetiss, an EU co-funded project bringing together 18 partners from eight countries, including the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).

The programme aims to develop a smart soldier system based on advanced textile technologies, integrating sensors and electronics directly into clothing and load-bearing equipment. The objective is to strengthen protection, improve comfort and sustain operational performance.

- Imagine a uniform that responds to weather conditions and your physiological parameters, adapting to maintain performance. Or ballistic protection that alerts you when it needs to be replaced, FFI states on its website.

Armetiss builds on earlier EU-funded initiatives and unites equipment manufacturers, research institutions and technology providers in a consortium focused on the next generation of personal protective equipment.

Modules embedded in textile

At the centre of the project are six functional modules embedded in textile-based solutions, covering temperature regulation, physiological monitoring, power and data distribution, and positioning.

The temperature regulation system is designed to maintain core body temperature across climatic extremes in order to preserve combat effectiveness. Embedded sensors will monitor physiological indicators to improve safety and enable more responsive medical support.

Power and data distribution is a further priority. Partners are developing miniaturised, optimised cabling integrated into garments and equipment to transmit energy and data with minimal additional weight or encumbrance.

Monitoring the protection

Positioning functionality is also woven into the textile architecture to support navigation, including in environments where satellite-based systems are degraded or unavailable.

The project also addresses the condition of the protective system. The aim is to detect damage to ballistic protection in real time, reducing reliance on periodic X-ray inspection.

In parallel, Armetiss is developing human–machine interfaces intended to enhance situational awareness while lowering physical and cognitive burden through ergonomic, intuitive controls.

The project runs for three years. From Norway, FFI participates alongside SINTEF. Armetiss is co-funded by the EU and supported by the European Defence Agency.