Integrated Soldier System Project

The Integrated Soldier System Project (ISSP) is Canada's program to equip dismounted soldiers with state-of-the-art equipment which will use a combination of commercial, off-the-shelf technologies (COTS) and current-issue military gear. The equipment is designed to improve command execution, target acquisition and situational awareness by:

• Providing communications and command and control at the soldier level;
• Integrating small arms with high-tech equipment;
• View the individual soldier as a system rather than as a segment of a larger force.
• Provide different variants for low level commanders, assaulters and supporters

Background

Canada's desire for a Soldier Systems dates back to November 1988 and closely follows efforts in many NATO countries. The first research effort, called Integrated Protective Clothing and Equipment (IPCE) Technology Demonstration was initiated in 1995 but then was cancelled, due to high systems cost and failure to meet the majority of the requirements. Ongoing operations in the mid 1990s, lead to the creation of the Clothe the Soldier (CTS) Project which directly addressed the NATO Soldier System Capability areas of Survivability and Sustainability. The Canadian Disruptive Pattern was a part of ongoing research and implemented during the Clothe Soldier Project (CTS).

Integrated Soldier System Project

The ISSP renamed from IPCE, is intended to provide the soldier with an integrated suite of equipment that may include weapons and electronic devices. The $310 million project program would provide the Canadian Army new equipment not only to allow troops to track each other as they move throughout the battlefield, but feed communication and targeting information into their Battle Management Command and Control Communication Computer and Information (BMC4I). The project is expected to unfold over the next 10 years. The Department of National Defence has confirmed about 17,000 integrated soldier systems would be bought by 2011. ISSP will address the remaining NATO Soldier System capabilities of Lethality, Mobility and Survivability, while balancing the baseline needs.

Small Arms Replacement Project

In October 2007, Department of National Defence approved the Identification of the Small Arms Replacement Project II (SARP II). The SARP II will deliver a modern networked integrated direct fire, multi-effect, portable anti-personnel and anti-material capability that includes weapons, fire control, munitions, training systems and logistic support. The cost for SARP II exceeds $1 Billion for the 2012-2022 period.