I-Rail® Features
Central Power Source
Central rechargeable and primary power options optimize usage, improve weapon balance and reduce system weight and soldier load.
Centralized Enabler Control
Single button pad provides central control for all weapon-mounted enablers, including remote radio PTT.
Maintain Weapon Control
Operators keep both hands on the weapon while operating the enablers.
Drives Weapon Sensor Fusion
Weapon-mounted enablers and sensors connected through the I-Rail feed directly into the operator’s EUD and enhances squad/battlefield situational awareness.
I-Rail® Technology Overview
The Intelligent Rail® platform technology, also known as the “Picatinny Smart Rail” or the Powered Rail®, has been successfully developed over the last 12 years using an early grant under the U.S. Army SBIR program and with subsequent private funding. Our patent-protected I-Rail power and data connection is a critical development that ensures soldier safety and promotes key design and technical advances for immensely improved soldier situational awareness by:
- Powering all rail-mounted optics, enablers and sensors from a central battery pack located on the weapon
- Creating a sealed, ruggedized printed circuit board (PCB) inserted in each Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny Rail
- Withstanding the rigors of combat, rough use, and extreme barrel temperatures and submersible to 20 meters
- Being fully-compliant with MIL-STD-1913 and NATO 4694 rail geometry
- Eliminating tape switches and cables through the I-Rail control module with user-assigned buttons
- Creating secure and encrypted device integration through data and communications capabilities embedded within the I-Rail® PCB and enabler connection
The Intelligent Rail Platform includes the Rail Operating System™ (ROS™) that seamlessly bridges the on-weapon network, the soldier’s EUD, and server- or cloud-based endpoints:
- A standards-based Ethernet/IP stack having an integrated software platform providing network, command and control, and a common data language for I-Rail networks
- ROS enables heterogenous accessories and sensors from disparate vendors to interoperate, creating a sophisticated logic-based multi-sensor solution for actionable intelligence
- Our gateway node can utilize varied modes of data transport and is compatible with the U.S. Army’s Intra-Soldier Wireless (ISW) protocol
NATO Standard
In 2012, after an extensive technical evaluation and rigorous hardware testing, the NATO Powered Rail working group selected the Intelligent Rail® as the NATO standard (STANAG) for the “Powered” Rail. The Powered Rail STANAG 4740/AEP-90, was ratified in December 2015 and promulgated to the member countries by the NATO Standards Office in June 2016.
T-Worx’s Intelligent Rail complies with the NATO Powered Rail Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4740 (AEP-90).
Picatinny Smart Rail
Our patented I-Rail technology is the only platform to meet Next Generation Smart Rail (NGSW) Picatinny Smart Rail modernization requirements specified by the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program. The NGSW program requires that the current “Picatinny Rail” be updated to enable the addition of power, networking, and data capabilities. This new “Smart Rail” enables unrelated sensors and accessories to be powered by and networked on the I-Rail. With this procurement, the U.S. Army will be the first armed force to carry “Smart” small arms in the field that creates an intelligently-connected battleground.
Registered Trademarks
Powered Rail®, P-Rail®, Intelligent Rail®, and I-Rail® are registered trademarks of T-Worx Holdings, LLC.