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Canberra-based technology company Kord Defence has indicated they are ready to launch their Rifle Accessory Control Unit (RACU) system over the coming months.
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The rifle-mounted control unit system allows soldiers to operate their radio, laser designators, torches, and other electronic devices from a service rifle using up to five programmable buttons.
The company currently has two ambidextrous variants with a “Hammer” version suited for the front grip of ADF service weapons and a “Commander” suited for M4 picatinny rails. A commercial version is also in development.
Kord Defence managing director Dr Peter Moran said the system provides a clear advantage by allowing the soldier to be head up, eyes on target, and hands on weapon.
“We are in an advanced stage of production of the RACU for the US military and we are putting plans in place to have that capability ready over the next couple of months,” Dr Moran said.
“We have had contracts for the US Marine Corps from 2017 to 2021 to work with them on developing the technology. We were also fortunate in having Defence Innovation Hub contracts with the Australian Army to develop a more Australian-focused product.
“We are working with Utah Highway Patrol and Ogden police for their SWAT teams, which gives them a significant performance and safety improvement.
“(Using the RACU) they can keep my hands on my weapon and my eyes on the target, as opposed to moving my hand to the body for the radio or looking down at other devices.
“We’re not trying to control everything that a soldier has, but we are trying to give them control to the main functions they need in the heat of battle.”
(PICTURED ABOVE) Kord Defence managing director Dr Peter Moran with Kord Defence business development director John Baird, and the two rifle variants. Photo: Robert Dougherty.
Kord has stated training for the system can be completed in less than an hour using a web-based app on a smartphone. The company can also configure the number of buttons such as having five, three or one interlinked on the RACU to fit the situation.
Button activations on individual controllers can be recorded and time stamped, and then downloaded for review purposes.
“We program the buttons to do whatever they want them to do. Press and hold, double tap, quick tap; all those functions are possible,” Dr Moran said.
“We lead the world in this kind of technology without a doubt, we see this as a significant opportunity for us and Australian industry to develop a local manufacturing capability as well as significant export opportunities.
“Ultimately we are looking at developing this into a commercial product and we hope to have a first stage product by the end of the year.”
“As long as the device is electronically controllable, we can control it with the RACU,” said Kord Defence business development director John Baird.
“During our last Innovation Hub project, we looked at how we might control devices in a network and found that if we have a data-enabled network or drone, it’s entirely possible we can control that.”
