General Dynamics Canada and Colt Canada have collaborated to develop Android-networked Colt’s Sniper (Soldier) Weapon & Observer Reconnaissance Devices (SWORD) system, which will offer soldiers vital situational-awareness information via their weapon.
Aimed at replacing radio-centric individual soldier systems, the new Android-networked rifle-centric soldier system incorporates a weapon-mounted surveillance together with smartphone-like technology.
Colt Canada general manager Jeff MacLeod said SWORD makes sense as an integrated soldier system.
"By combining modern smartphone technology with weapon-mounted scopes and laser rangefinders, soldiers have all the information they need, literally at their fingertips," MacLeod said.
"SWORD is not about simply delivering a computer or a display to soldiers; it delivers an entirely new capability centred on the rifle."
The new rifle-centric SWORD system is capable of hosting battle management applications using modern smartphone technology and assist soldiers in executing missions safely and successfully.
The system also incorporates power, data and navigation infrastructure within the weapon, including GPS and inertial navigation for GPS-denied situations.
General Dynamics C4 Systems International vice president David Ibbetson said that cooperation between Colt and General Dynamics Canada builds on the strengths of both companies.
"Colt has worldwide expertise in developing and delivering rifles, while General Dynamics has the networking experience needed to connect individual soldiers," Ibbetson said.
"The combined solution gives soldiers the smartphone capability they have been asking for in the form of an Android-networked rifle."
