During the early days of the Second World War, the development of radar marked a turning point. To optimise its use, British armies consolidated the first operational research departments, where mathematicians and physicists analysed data to improve the effectiveness of anti-aircraft defences. This prescriptive analytics enabled the anticipation of attacks, strategic resource allocation, and the saving of thousands of lives. It was the beginning of a silent revolution in military decision-making.

In the information age, national security and defence no longer rely solely on physical strength or the most advanced weaponry. Today, the difference between success and failure on the battlefield increasingly lies in the ability to anticipate, understand the environment, and make informed decisions in real time.

This is where cognitive analytics emerges, combining artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing to equip defence systems with human-like capabilities. In this context, Magtel, an Andalusian company and a benchmark in technological innovation, is taking a decisive step with the development of the “tactical assistant”, a tool that promises to transform the way our Armed Forces face the challenges of the 21st century.

What is a Tactical Assistant?

The tactical assistant is an intelligent platform that, through the use of artificial intelligence and advanced sensors, captures, analyses, and fuses acoustic and contextual information from the operational environment. Its goal is clear: to enhance the situational awareness of the combatant and their unit, enabling faster, safer, and more effective tactical decisions.

Put simply, the tactical assistant can “hear the invisible”. Thanks to sophisticated algorithms and microphone networks, the system can detect gunfire, explosions, drone buzzing, engine noise, or even footsteps and voices in complex urban environments. All this information, processed in real time, becomes alerts and recommendations delivered directly to the soldier or command centre, allowing threats to be anticipated and action taken before it is too late.

Spanish Innovation Serving Defence

Magtel’s commitment to innovation in defence is not new. The company, with a solid track record in sectors such as telecommunications, energy, and civil engineering, has made digital transformation and the application of smart solutions one of its main strategic pillars. The tactical assistant is the result of this vision: a solution developed entirely in Spain, designed to address current and future national security challenges.

One of the greatest strengths of the tactical assistant is its versatility. In open-field operations, acoustic sensors can detect sniper fire, explosions, or enemy vehicle movements, triangulating their position with precision and instantly alerting units at risk. In urban environments, where visibility is often limited by buildings or walls, the system can pick up subtle sounds—such as footsteps on an upper floor, the click of a weapon, or whispers behind a door—and automatically classify them as potential threats.

Drone detection is another strong point of the system. Drones, increasingly present in modern conflicts, can go unnoticed by traditional radar, but they usually emit a characteristic buzz that the tactical assistant can identify and locate, even under adverse conditions.

Artificial Intelligence to Understand and Prioritise Information

Information overload is one of the greatest challenges on the battlefield. The tactical assistant incorporates automatic speech recognition algorithms that transcribe and analyse radio communications—both friendly and enemy—in real time. This makes it possible to detect keywords, urgent orders, or even stress signals in the voice, generating automatic alerts and summaries that help soldiers and analysts focus on what really matters.

A Support, Not a Substitute

It is important to emphasise that the tactical assistant does not aim to replace human decision-making, but to enhance it. Artificial intelligence acts as a filter and support, providing critical information in real time, but always leaving the final decision to the soldier or commander. The goal is to reduce cognitive load, increase safety, and improve operational effectiveness without dehumanising the decision-making process.

International References and Experiences

The development of acoustic systems for defence is not exclusive to Spain. Countries such as the United States and France have been deploying gunshot detectors in vehicles and bases for years, with highly positive results in reducing sniper casualties. Companies like Thales or Acoem have evolved these systems into portable and urban formats, even used at major civilian events to ensure security. Passive drone detection, enemy communication analysis, and aerial threat localisation through acoustic sensor networks are already a reality in armies worldwide.

In short, Magtel’s commitment to the tactical assistant is an example of how Spanish innovation can contribute to a safer world, putting technology at the service of those who safeguard our security. A silent yet decisive revolution that is already changing the way we understand defence in the 21st century.