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.
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