More on the Integrated Soldier System Project

You'll recall that just over a month ago we pointed our readers to a story about the ISSP by the Canadian Press, and added our own contribution by way of a MERX Opportunity Abstract.

In today's Ottawa Citizen, David Pugliese provides some additional detail:

The $310-million program would provide equipment not only to allow troops to track each other as they move throughout the battlefield, but feed communications and targeting information into their helmets or to a small personal data device they would each carry.

The Integrated Soldier System Project has received approval from Defence Minister Peter MacKay and will now proceed to Treasury Board to get the OK for initial funding. The project is expected to unfold over the next 10 years with various changes in the gear being brought in as technology improves.

...

Mr. Walsh said the technological needs of the project may require a number of companies to join forces to meet the military's requirements.

He said the Canadian Forces is not looking to get locked into one type of technology, but will be introducing the equipment in cycles so it can take advantage of developments as they come. For instance, new technology might provide a lightweight fuel cell troops could carry to power their equipment.

That ability to deal with retrofits and expansion in a modular way is just smart planning. Good on the CF for pushing it in that direction.

This is going to be interesting to watch as it develops.