Screenshot of the Delta System interface
Screenshot of the Delta System interface
The Delta system is a Ukrainian-made, Nato-compatible, online information system that provides users with a comprehensive battlefield situational awareness.
In 2015, a team of software engineers from NGO Arerorozvidka began work on the concept, design, and modeling of what today has become the The Delta System. Later on, these engineers were integrated into the Armed Forces of Ukraine and became part of the Center for Innovation and Development of Defense Technologies under the Ministry of Defence.
The Delta System gathers data related to the battlefield from multiple sources. It then processes and filters the information, and presents it on a user-friendly digital map that can be accessed by troops stationed at the front lines. The system can be integrated with infantry detachments of any size, as well as special operations teams and command units. Access to the information is provided through laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.
The program is an online cloud-based system that requires users to enter their username and password to access information. Once logged in, the program provides real-time battlefield data such as enemy positions, troop movements, movements along the frontline, and coordinates for planning and executing missions. The information is primarily obtained from aerial reconnaissance, satellites, radars, and general field intelligence from both open and secret sources.
The purpose of constructing such a structure is to provide a strategic advantage by connecting different networks of information. At the heart of this idea lies the concept of Network-centric warfare (NCW). This theory suggests that once an army or group gains informational superiority, and shares it with operational units, they can effectively operate in a decentralized combat environment. This enables the effective planning and execution of tasks based on real-time and superior information, resulting in increased war fighting capabilities.
By implementing this approach, units fighting in dynamic and decentralized front lines can access factual data, plan missions, and make decisions to enhance mission effectiveness.
NCW, or Network Centric Warfare, is a crucial tool for small units and large armies to connect and plan combat missions. It provides information superiority that allows for unparalleled mission effectiveness, making up for any disadvantage in numbers or materials. With NCW, users gain a comprehensive overview of the situation and the ability to quickly plan and maneuver. For Ukraine, with its decentralized command-and-control structure, operating highly independent from centralized command, the Delta System can link knowledgeable entities on the battle space and increase their mission effectiveness.
