Canberra-based Kord Defence’s man-machine interface technology has been selected for evaluation by the US Department of Defense under the US Foreign Comparative Test (FCT) program.
The technology is a core part of the Rifle Input Control (RIC), which Kord has developed in collaboration with Thales Australia to provide soldiers with a fast and simple way of controlling their electronic devices without having to take their hands off their weapon or eyes off task.
The US Marine Corps (USMC) will evaluate its performance and suitability as a Rifle Accessory Control Unit (RACU) during 2011.
It was the only project the USMC selected for FCT review in 2010.
“If successful this will lead to substantial sales into the future,” Dr Peter Moran, managing director of Kord said.
“Development of the technology would not have been possible without the financial assistance of the Commonwealth’s Commercialisation Australia and COMET Programs, the ACT Government, as well as the Defence Materiel Organisation.”
The RIC is a programmable soldier system control and integration technology.
The developed fivebutton controller is designed for use by dismounted close combat soldiers and provides a fast and simple way of remotely controlling devices attached to their weapon, body or helmet, without the need to take their eyes off the task or their hands off the weapon.
Nearly 50 projects were submitted for the 2011 FCT program.
The RIC is among the 18 projects that were selected to enter the program.
The mission of the FCT is to test items and technologies in order to satisfy valid defence requirements more quickly and economically.
In the last six years, 82 per cent of all FCT programs have lead to future procurement programs.