The Canadian Army has chosen Rockwell Collins to deliver its Android-based joint-fires solution for the service’s digitally-assisted close air support (DACAS) system.
The joint-fires system will be provided to digitally connect airborne platforms and ground-based joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) using a smartphone.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Under the terms of the deal, Rockwell Collins will develop and service 100 joint-fires applications with the potential for follow-on options.
The company is expected to validate its first systems by mid-2017, allowing the Canadian Army use them in the multinational Bold Quest exercise to be conducted later this year.
Under the agreement, Rockwell Collins will also offer in-country service and support in Canada for up to ten years.
Rockwell Collins Canada managing director Lee Obst said: “Migrating away from hardware solutions to commercial off-the-shelf technology drives down cost and provides user-friendly and updatable platforms.
“The Android joint-fires solution is a great example of leveraging cutting-edge technology for military purposes.”
The wearable Android-based system offers a lightweight and user-friendly solution to the Canadian Army, in addition to maintaining complete digital interoperability with a wide range of coalition aircraft and artillery systems.
The joint-fires solution will be developed in Richardson, Texas, US, while Rockwell Collins Canada will directly provide support to the country’s army.
For more than 20 years, Rockwell Collins’ joint-fires solutions have been in service with the US Department of Defense (DoD), US Air Force Tactical Air Control Party programme, Nato and coalition forces.
Image: The Canadian Army selected Rockwell Collins’ joint-fires solution for its digitally-assisted close air support system. Photo: courtesy of Rockwell Collins.
