New integrated assault rifle concept for Canada
Colt Canada and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) have developed a new integrated assault rifle concept for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), the latter announced on 9 February.
The prototype includes a firing mechanism for shooting lightweight cased telescoped ammunition. It has a secondary effects module for greater firepower and a NATO standard power and data rail that can integrate accessories such as position sensors and electro-optical sights.
The secondary effects module is designed to be fitted with a 12-gauge shotgun or a three-round, 40mm grenade launcher. Once optimised, the prototype can weigh less than a C7 with an M203 grenade launcher.
Lt. Col. Serge Lapointe, soldier systems group, Canadian Army, said: 'In the medium term, this weapon concept represents a lethal, flexible general-purpose platform.'
He added: 'It will be able to operate in all theatres of operations in the most complex terrain including urban areas, mountains, jungles, deserts and the Arctic.'
The prototype has been in development since 2009 under the soldier integrated precision effects systems project. In the next development phase, assisted target engagement and automated target detection will be studied in depth under the future small arms research project. The data from this project and from the DRDC will be used to develop the technical criteria that will form part of the operational requirement documentation for the CAF small arms modernisation project.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![NZ begins modernisation of its tactical vehicle fleet]()
NZ begins modernisation of its tactical vehicle fleet
VAMTAC vehicles are expected to replace one-quarter of New Zealand’s Pinzgauers and Unimogs.
-
![Israel’s Elbit Systems riding high and reports almost a billion dollars in orders to close 2024]()
Israel’s Elbit Systems riding high and reports almost a billion dollars in orders to close 2024
Elbit Systems has signed another US$967 million in orders in the past three months after reporting its land revenues increased by 24% for 3Q2024 compared to 3Q 2023 thanks to increasing ammunition and munition sales in Israel.
-
![BAE Systems receives $656 million contract for more Bradley vehicles]()
BAE Systems receives $656 million contract for more Bradley vehicles
BAE Systems has been contracted to install modifications on older versions of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) creating the M2A4 and M7A4 and keeping the platform in service until 2050.
-
![Italy signs $784 million deal for tactical and logistic trucks]()
Italy signs $784 million deal for tactical and logistic trucks
The contract is for the supply of a variety of military logistic platforms equipped with tactical cabins and based on the new range of IDV SMR6 trucks (Standard Military Range), which includes 4×4, 8×8 and 10x10 variants.
-
![Poland declares capability for Wisła medium-range air defence system]()
Poland declares capability for Wisła medium-range air defence system
Poland has been investing heavily in new defence equipment, including billions-of-dollars in air defence systems such as Narew and Wisła to provide multi-tier coverage, as well as in C2 systems such as IBCS.
