Thales testing rifle system for U.S.

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ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense has selected an Australian partnership to test a remote-controlled rifle accessory system for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Thales USA Defense and Security said the Rifle Input Control by Thales Australia and Kord Defense is a close-combat, five-button programmable remote control for rifle accessories attached to the rifle itself or to the troop's body or helmet.

Additional details weren't disclosed.

"(The Defense Department's) selection of the RIC for test funding is a success in Thales's broader plan in the U.S., to source the best technologies from the global Thales network," said Brad Foreman, vice president of Thales USA's defense business. "We're very confident this product will be found to have immediate benefits to the warfighter."

Added Peter Moran, managing director at Australia's Kord Defense, "We are proud to have been selected for the Foreign Comparative Testing Program and will remain fully committed to demonstrating the value of the RIC to the U.S. Marine Corps and other services throughout the course of testing."