General Dynamics Canada [GD] and Colt Canada yesterday said they are working together to network Colt’s Sniper (Soldier) Weapon & Observer Reconnaissance Devices (SWORD) system, which integrates weapon-mounted surveillance and targeting devices with rugged smartphone-like technology.

SWORD     Photo: Colt 

The SWORD system brings critical situational-awareness information directly to the solider via his weapon; it will be offered as an alternative to radio-centric individual soldier systems, the companies said in a statement.

“SWORD makes sense as an integrated soldier system,” said Jeff MacLeod, general manager, Colt Canada. “By combining modern smartphone technology with weapon-mounted scopes and laser rangefinders, soldiers have all the information they need, literally at their fingertips. SWORD is not about simply delivering a computer or a display to soldiers; it delivers an entirely new capability centered on the rifle.”

Colt Canada, formerly known as Diemaco, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Colt Defense LLC.

David Ibbetson, vice president, General Dynamics C4 Systems International, said, “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. The combined solution gives soldiers the smartphone capability they have been asking for in the form of an Android-networked rifle.”

Based on commercial off-the-shelf components, the SWORD system provides power, data and navigation infrastructure within the weapon, including GPS and inertial navigation for GPS-denied situations.  Enhanced with modern smartphone technology and the ability to host battle management applications, these Android-networked rifles will deliver the information soldiers need to execute missions safely and successfully. 

The companies will display SWORD at the Canadian Association of Defense and Security Industries (CADSI) Soldier System Showcase in Ottawa Dec. 10–11.