Introduction
Many armed forces pay great attention to light infantry. In the United States, in particular, the emphasis is on increased efficiency and flexibility of weapons, ground mobility of opponents, denial-of-access tactics, and the high operational pace that are characteristic of the modern battlefield. Other countries, especially Western countries, also follow in the lead of the United States. For example, in the UK, scientists from the Laboratory of Defense Science and Technologists are working with various industrial enterprises on the FSV (Future Soldier Vision) project, which plans to create a system of personal equipment that the British army should receive by the mid-2020s. The emergence of new requirements has raised concerns about the ability of traditional light infantry to effectively carry out the tasks for which they were originally designed and designed. To address this problem, many armies have launched a series of initiatives aimed at improving the capabilities and effectiveness of light infantry in modern combat space. As a rule, they pay special attention to the individual soldier and a small unit, be it a crew, a fire group or a squad. This article addresses areas such as lethality or fire efficiency, survivability or combat resilience, and situational awareness or situational awareness.
While from a practical point of view they look like separate functions, especially when applied to the battlefield, aspects of each of them can have a large impact on the qualities or capabilities of the others. Because of this, developers often recognize the complexity involved in designing solutions that ultimately end up in the hands of the soldier.
The definition of what each of these features includes is changing and expanding at the same time. Increasing fire efficiency, for example, which has always been at the top of the priority list, basically meant improving the individual weapons carried by each infantryman. However, today an integrated approach in this area covers not only weapons, but also ammunition and sighting systems. The next generation infantry weapon, according to modern doctrines, should be modular, highly accurate, with improved ammunition and more digital functions. An increase in combat stability is associated with the solution of a rather difficult task - to prevent an overload of a soldier or a deterioration in his ability to fight. Finally, improving situational awareness aims to enhance the soldier's knowledge of the environment.
Advanced lethality
Today, increasing the lethality or fire effectiveness of infantry at the level of a squad and an individual shooter, in particular, goes far beyond the scope of the weapon itself. Currently, this process includes the development of advanced ammunition, sighting systems and an even more flexible approach to the tasks assigned to the squad soldiers
Various weapons can be assembled on one chassis today. In this case, the soldier of the squad can adapt his weapon for himself by attaching different barrels, butts, forend, power systems and accessories and, in principle, get a carbine, rifle, automatic rifle or even a light machine gun or sniper rifle. This concept was demonstrated in the 60s by Eugene Stoner with his 63A weapon. Today, a number of companies offer similar opportunities. The logistic advantages are quite obvious here, while the tactical advantages are equally significant. When every soldier in a squad has these capabilities, it is possible to adapt the role of each soldier to any combat situation. For example, a group tasked with firing may employ not one, but several soldiers at once to conduct automatic fire. Likewise, the soldiers in a group clearing a building could simply switch roles based on what is needed and where they are at a given time. For these purposes, several weapons systems are proposed.
MSBS System: The Polish system MSBS (Modulowy System Broni Strzeleckiej) uses a common chamber / receiver, which can be configured in a traditional or bullpup configuration. Different modules can be attached to the same base, resulting in eleven different tactical options, including a submachine gun, a basic carbine, a carbine with a grenade launcher, a sniper rifle, and a light machine gun. This design flexibility allows you to get weapons in configurations suitable for the most diverse tasks of the infantry squad.
H&K NK416 / M27: The Heckler & Koch NK416 automatic weapon has recently been adopted by many military structures, including the Norwegian and French armies, special operations forces of 27 countries and the US Marine Corps (designation M27). The weapon has proven itself from the most positive side. Its main attractive feature is that this weapon, with minimal adaptation, can fulfill all roles in the squad, be an assault rifle, a sniper rifle and an automatic rifle. A shorter version with a 280 mm barrel weighing 3, 7 kg and a standard version with a 368 mm barrel weighing 4 kg are available; the system is currently deployed in two calibers: 5, 56 mm (NK416) and 7, 62 mm (NK417), weapons and other calibers can be produced. The compact C model is also available with a 228 mm barrel.
IWI TAVOR: Automatic weapons TAVOR of Israel Weapons Industry are made according to the "bullpup" scheme with a long stroke of the gas piston, which increases reliability, durability, simplifies design and maintenance. It can be configured as an assault rifle, carbine, sniper rifle (for the skilled marksman) or submachine gun. It is the standard infantry weapon of the Israeli army, the system has been selected by another 30 countries and is manufactured under license in Brazil, India and Ukraine.
New ammunition
There are concerns in some armies that advances in body armor have limited the effectiveness of some current calibers, especially the widespread 5.56mm. In response to this, the American army decided to switch to an intermediate cartridge of 6, 8 mm caliber. It is heavier and therefore needs a higher muzzle velocity. A bullet of this caliber was identified as the base for the new Next Generation Squad Weapons squad system, which includes a rifle / carbine and an automatic rifle. However, the industry cannot yet start producing the cartridge, since the army has not yet decided on the design of the cartridge case.
This is due in part to the fact that major small arms operators are also willing to periodically review some innovative ammunition designs. Textron Defense introduces the Cased Telescoped (CT) cartridge, in which the bullet is housed inside a polymer sleeve. The advantages of the CT are that it is shorter and lighter. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) has partnered with True Velocity to offer a full composite cartridge. “This is a completely non-metallic sleeve and is, on average, 30 percent lighter than a traditional brass sleeve, a company spokesman explained. The composite sleeve showed great accuracy in tests, since it plays the role of a heat insulator, reducing the amount of heat generated during the firing process. “This in turn reduces the wear on the weapon,” he added. SIG is also introducing a new three-piece hybrid ammunition. It features a brass sleeve, a steel base and an internal retainer for connecting them. PCP Tactical also offers its own new metal-based polymer sleeve. Most of them are interchangeable with existing ammunition. Thus, the adoption of these substitutes for brass casings in the American program could give an impetus to the widespread adoption of such an approach.
Advanced scopes
Advancing weapons with increased range and improved impact on the target will have little benefit if their shots are inaccurate. Achieving this requires a new approach to shooting or hitting a target. A Vortex Optics spokesman suggested that “the shooter's optics have shifted from a 'red dot' to pure daytime, non-multiple heavy-duty scopes like the Vortex Razor Gen 2 1-6x24. They provide the highest levels of clarity, resolution, color and edge-to-edge sharpness, as well as advanced proportional-integral-derivative control, enabling first-shot kill at medium ranges.” Increasing the structural strength and reliability of optical devices made it possible to introduce variable magnification, previously used only in sniper sights. The high magnification allows the shooter to more confidently detect and identify the target, especially at long distances. As a Steiner spokesman explained, these capabilities were further enhanced by "small, compact weapon-mountable units that include a laser rangefinder, illuminator and pointer." For the infantryman's weapons, pure fire control systems, similar to those installed on combat vehicles, may soon become available. An example is optics from SIG Sauer, which combines a laser rangefinder with Ballistic Data Xchange software, which allows you to obtain an adjustable reticle.
The next step is to integrate these advanced capabilities into a single system and integrate it electronically with the soldier's other surveillance systems. In fact, this is exactly what the US Army is requesting for its Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) squad, which is being developed as part of the promising Rapid Target Acquisition (RTA) initiative. In order to increase the efficiency of the shooter's work, the RTA will combine the weapon, scope / viewing device and helmet display.
Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW)
The US Army is currently testing bids from five companies, up to three of which could be selected to continue the race for the NGSW contract. The main goals of this program are to penetrate advanced body armor and take advantage of technologies that can increase accuracy and increase the range.
In October 2018, the US Army Contracting Authority, in its draft notice to applicants, determined the composition of the Next Generation Squad Weapon family: a rifle and an automatic rifle. As part of the NGSW activities, each selected contractor "develops two weapon options and a common cartridge for them, using government-supplied 6.8mm bullets." Weapons include the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Rifle (NGSW-R) and the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Automatic Rifle (NGSW-AR). It is planned that in brigade combat groups NGSW-R will replace the M4 / M4A1 carbine, and NGSW-AR will replace the M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) rifle. One variant with a rechargeable battery in the rifle contours should be provided. Sources suggest that in order to meet the requirements, the ammunition must develop an initial velocity of 915 m / s. Five companies provided their variants of the NGSW-R and NGSW-AR rifles: AAI, Textron Systems, FN America, General Dynamics-OTS, PCP Tactical and Sig Sauer. In most cases, detailed specifications were not published in full, and the exact configurations submitted for the competition were not named.
Candidates are currently being evaluated by the US Army, after which up to three companies will be selected to participate in the subsequent evaluation. According to the head of the Joint Group of Developers of Soldier Lethality Systems, the deployment of the winning weapon in the US Army will begin in 2023.
Advantages of optics in combat
Expanding visual capabilities through the use of night vision devices or even micro UAVs to view the terrain from above can help soldiers maintain combat initiative
Controlling your immediate surroundings has always been the most important concern and goal in battle, from high command to the individual soldier. Having reliable information about the terrain, enemy and general conditions is a huge advantage. At the level of a small unit, this knowledge can affect the success or failure of a combat mission.
Finding an opponent first provides an instant advantage by taking over the initiative and further deliberate action. Likewise, someone who has been taken by surprise has every chance of re-seizing the initiative through the correct use of fire and maneuver, which again relies on quick and accurate identification of the situation and response to it.
While it is very important for a frontline soldier to spot and neutralize an opponent, this is not the only ingredient in having good situational awareness. It is also important to simply maintain your orientation with respect to the surrounding area and your fellow officers. A lost or disoriented soldier is in mortal danger. In addition, the lack of information on the location of co-workers can lead to cases of friendly fire. The situation, which is already difficult for the daytime, is even more complicated at night.
Due to advances in technology and manufacturing methods, night vision devices are now widely available to the infantryman. In addition, miniaturization, low-cost storage and information processing, and wireless networks greatly simplify the presentation, integration, and transmission of information and images. All this contributes to a significant increase in the level of command of the situation, this is true for both a soldier and a small unit.
Night vision - brightness enhancement
Image enhancement technology (LSI) is becoming cheaper, more compact and more efficient. Most of these devices, such as night vision devices, use electro-optical converters to amplify the light flux.
The range of devices with NAD currently includes weapon sights and night vision devices (NVDs), and now every modern helmet has a mount for NVD. At present, there is a clear tendency towards a transition to monocular night vision devices, when an image with increased brightness is displayed in front of one eye, while the other unaided eye remains free. The disadvantage of NVGs is that they tend to interfere with the rifle's normal line of sight. In order to solve the problem, a laser pointer is installed on the weapon, aligned with the weapon. The aiming mark of the pointer can be seen in the NVG, and when it is combined with the target, the trigger is lowered. This allows for effective and faster target acquisition, especially at combat ranges, although accuracy decreases as the range increases. Nuclear research and night vision technology is now widespread in the civilian and military spheres, so "owning at night" is becoming more and more difficult.
