The Canadian Army has selected Rockwell Collins’ joint-fires solution for its Digitally-Assisted Close Air Support (DACAS) system to digitally link airborne platforms and ground-based Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) via an Android smart phone.
Under the contract, Iowa-headquartered Rockwell Collins will produce and service 100 Android-based joint-fires systems with the potential for follow-on options. The company will qualify the initial systems by the summer of 2017, for the Army’s use on the multinational BOLD QUEST exercise in the autumn.
The agreement also includes in-country service and support from Rockwell Collins in Canada for up to ten years.
Based upon the most widely used joint-fires system in the world, the wearable Android-based joint-fires solution delivers a lightweight and user-friendly solution while maintaining full digital interoperability with a wide range of coalition aircraft and artillery systems.
Rockwell Collins is a leader in the provision of joint-fires solutions and has the breadth of experience to support the Canadian Army in current and future joint fires requirements.
For more than 20 years, Rockwell Collins’ joint-fires solutions have been in service with the US Department of Defense, US Air Force Tactical Air Control Party programme, NATO and coalition forces.
System development will be based in Richardson, Texas, while Rockwell Collins Canada will directly provide support to the Canadian Army.
Lee Obst, Managing Director for Rockwell Collins in Canada, 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.”
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