NATO ponders power rail for infantry weapons
A leading member of a NATO Research and Technology study team has laid out future possibilities for the standardisation of small arms, including the use of electrified power rails for accessories and sensors.
Per G Arvidsson, the Integration and Interoperability Issues for Dismounted Soldier Weapon Systems, Technical Interfaces (TI) team leader, told Jane's that recommendations would be made to NATO to develop a new type of rail-mount system capable of supplying power to attachments on future rifles.
Given the increasing number of electro-optical sights and sensors used with small arms, attention has been focused on how power might best be supplied to them. Currently most such items are powered by integral batteries, often increasing the weight and volume of sensors by more than 50 per cent. This additional weight affects accuracy. Arvidsson told Jane's: "As most [accessories] are mounted around the hand guard, the centre of gravity is moved forward. This affects the handling of the weapon."
NATO is therefore looking to replace the batteries of individual sensors with a centralised power supply. Arvidsson said that Germany was considering locating a powerpack in the butt stock of the G 36 assault rifle. Other ideas include a battery in the pistol grip of a weapon. The use of smaller emergency batteries to replace the main power supply in the event of failure needs also to be examined.
The options for transferring power to the sensors via the rail, either through galvanic contact or magnetic induction, are also under examination.
Fonte: Jane's Information Group.