The Colt booth at the AUSA 2013 show was centered around two technology demonstrators from Colt Canada, titled Sniper Weapon & Observer Reconnaissance Devices (SWORD), which promise to bring power, data, and navigation connectivity to a single rifle.
There are many parts to the SWORD system, and all of them have acronyms. Although it's described as modular, where individual parts can be used as accessories on other rifles, it's designed around the Small Arms Rail System (SARS) - specifically the NATO concept of a powered rail. Colt takes this several steps farther with the addition of data connectivity to a "load carriage vest" through a unique single point sling. Power may also be sourced from a battery pack attached to the underside of the stock. This gives us the NPDS, or Network Power Data System.
Network connectivity includes the Android smartphone attached to the rifle as well as a tablet for the spotter. A camera attached to the riflescope allows the shooter to upload photos of potential targets in real time to other users on the network. This is accomplished via a button on the pistol grip, which may also be programmed for other uses. Data may also flow in the opposite direction as the observer or spotter may mark targets using a spotting scope equipped with similar technology. The smartphone display shows targets and other information such as friendly unit locations on a terrain map, the orientation of which is slaved to the movement of the rifle. Mini and micro UAVs may also be integrated into this system, giving battlefield commanders a clearer picture with which to make air and artillery support decisions.
An integral laser rangefinder and ballistic software/range card with target image overlays would enable the shooter to identify and kill a target without any verbal communication whatsoever with the spotter; this is one of the stated goals of the program. Colt says the system also has the ability to record detailed information about each shot, including the position of the shooter and the exact angle of the muzzle, but that the end user could dial back this capability to only record the number of shots.
Because there are as of now only two technology demonstrators, exact fielding details are uncertain, but Colt claims the system only adds eight ounces of weight to the rifle.
Personally, I feel that parts of this system have promise, but I am skeptical that it will provide a large leap forward in the capability of a sniper/spotter team. Such teams work pretty well right now, and I don't see how eliminating communication between the sniper and spotter would make things any better, if snipers and spotters would want to, or even if it could actually be accomplished. Frankly, I think it will add to the workload of the shooter, who probably has enough on his plate.
Although gathering intelligence and making reports are part of what sniper teams do, this system may have come a little too late to see significant fielding in an environment which could prove or disprove its worth.
