General Dynamics and Colt Canada offer Rifle-Centric Soldier System using Smartphone Technology

Proposed system delivers smartphone-hosted capability integrated and displayed on one of the most important pieces of equipment soldiers carry - their rifles.

OTTAWA, Ontario, Dec. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - General Dynamics Canada and Colt Canada are working together to network Colt's Sniper (Soldier) Weapon & Observer Reconnaissance Devices (SWORD) system, which integrates weapon-mounted surveillance and targeting devices with ruggedized smartphone-like technology. 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.

"SWORD makes sense as an integrated soldier system," says 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."

"Cooperation between Colt and General Dynamics Canada builds on the strengths of both companies," says David Ibbetson, vice president, General Dynamics C4 Systems International. "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.

SWORD will be on display at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) Soldier System Showcase being held in Ottawa December 10 – 11, 2013.

About General Dynamics Canada

With an established Canadian presence for more than 60 years and employees in Ottawa, Calgary and Halifax, General Dynamics Canada is one of Canada's largest defense electronics company with a worldwide reputation for excellence in the production of leading-edge, technology-based, integrated solutions for land, airborne and maritime applications. The company's portfolio of next-generation Command, Control, Communication, Computing, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) solutions and integrated mission systems is backed by complete systems integration and in-service support. General Dynamics Canada is part of General Dynamics C4 Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD). For information about General Dynamics Canada please go to www.gdcanada.com.

About Colt Canada

Colt Canada, formerly known as Diemaco, has been Canada's Strategic Source for Small Arms for over 30 years. Based out of Kitchener, Ontario, Colt Canada has built a reputation as a supplier of high quality Small Arms Systems for Canada and other NATO members. Actively involved in Research and Development of the next generation of Small Arms, Colt Canada has taken the lead in developing next generation weapons systems capabilities such as SWORD that address identified capability gaps. Colt Canada is a wholly owned Subsidiary of Colt Defense LLC. For more information on Colt Defense LLC, please go to www.colt.com.

SOURCE: General Dynamics Canada

Media: Tara Meinhardt, General Dynamics Canada, [phone], Investors: Erin Linnihan, General Dynamics, [phone]

http://www.gdcanada.com