The American soldier today, according to the command of the US Armed Forces, is the most prepared and has the best equipment in the entire history of the state, and the army itself is the strongest in the world. The soldier is generally regarded as a "weapon system" and particular importance is attached to his individual combat equipment. Currently, it consists of individual small arms and edged weapons, body armor, helmets with night vision goggles, intercom radio equipment, a set of protection against weapons of mass destruction, camouflage uniforms, boots, knee pads and elbow pads, a waterproof suit, modular equipment, a sleeping bag and individual soldering, ready-made to use.
Soldier's individual small arms - 5, 56 mm M4 carbine. It is a compact version of the M16A2 automatic rifle with a retractable four-position buttstock. The length of the carbine is 75, 7 cm, the magazine capacity is 30 rounds.
The M9 bayonet-knife on the Ml6 series rifle is used as a bayonet, as well as a hand melee weapon and a utility knife (complete with a scabbard provides wire cutting, can be used as a saw).
The body armor provides effective protection against bullets and small fragments. It consists of a Kevlar vest with a detachable neck and groin protector and removable titanium plates. Without them, the body armor provides protection against a 9-mm pistol bullet, and if available, from a 7.62-mm rifle bullet. Body armor weight - 7, 48 kg.
Helmet (PASGT) provides head protection. It is made of multi-layer Kevlar-23 with phenol / PVB resin. Available in five sizes. Moreover, its weight, depending on the size, can be from 1.45 to 1.89 kg. The set includes a fabric cover to match the color of the uniform.
Night vision goggles AN / PVS-7 are mounted on a helmet and are used when moving, driving a car and performing maintenance work in low light conditions. With their help, it is possible to detect a person in the light of stars at a distance of up to 150 and in moonlight (at a quarter of the strength) - up to 350 m. The mass of the glasses is 0.68 kg.
The intercom allows you to maintain communication between the platoon servicemen who are on site, at a distance of up to 700 m. The squad leader has the ability to communicate with all subordinates simultaneously on a dedicated channel. The set of the device includes: a transceiver, a rechargeable power supply unit, headphones and a microphone. Weight 0, 64 kg.
The equipment of the American soldier also includes a set of protection against weapons of mass destruction. It includes an M40 gas mask, which cleans the contaminated air through an external filter box (if necessary, it can be installed on both the left and right side of the mask). Weight 1, 3 kg. In addition, it includes a combined arms lightweight complex protective suit. (JSLIST), uniform for the US Armed Forces. It is designed to protect against the damaging factors of chemical and biological weapons. JSLIST includes a filter suit (jacket and trousers) worn over a field uniform, safety boots and gloves. The weight of the set is about 3 kg.
Four-color field uniform, camouflage for woodland. Used in warfare in a temperate climatic zone. The set includes a loose jacket with an unfastened collar, chest and side pockets with flaps, and trousers with four standard pockets (two inner and two patch pockets) with flaps. The uniform is made of special fabric containing up to 50%. cotton. For desert and semi-desert conditions, camouflage is produced, the colors of which are dominated by yellow and beige tones. Shoulder straps on the field version of the uniform are not provided; insignia, made in muted colors, are placed on the collar of the jacket: on the right side - indicating the military rank, on the left - defining belonging to a particular type of troops or service. The emblem (identification mark) of the unit or unit is located on the upper left sleeve.
High top boots are made of soft genuine leather with water-repellent impregnation. In addition, their design is also waterproof. Military personnel serving in areas with a temperate climate wear black boots with green uniforms, and beige in desert conditions.
The Impermeable Suit (IRS) includes a camouflage cape and pants made of waterproof membrane fabric. The fastening of the zippered hood is also provided. The trousers have zippers that allow you to put them on and off without taking off your shoes. Suit weight 1, 31 kg. A plastic plaque with the name of the serviceman is attached to the right chest of the cape.
Elbow pads and knee pads provide protection for the respective body parts when a soldier crawls over rocky terrain. They are high-density polyethylene shells in black, quickly attached to camouflage belts with polyester lining, between which there are three-segment foam cushions made of polyethylene foam. The mass of these items of equipment is 0.82 kg.
Modular combat tactical and cargo equipment (MOLLE) consists of patrol, raid backpacks, as well as a combat tactical vest with interchangeable quick-detachable pouches for magazines of individual small arms, hand grenades and other items of equipment. The waist belt secures both the vest itself and the patrol backpack. If necessary, you can quickly get rid of the latter. All elements of MOLLE equipment (total weight 7.66 kg) are made of lightweight durable camouflage fabric.
The modular sleeping bag (MSBS) is made according to the principle "one inside the other": the insulated version is inserted into the so-called "patrol" warm weather one, as a result of which effective protection from the cold is provided. The set is also completed with a heat-insulating mat. There is a packing bag for storing and carrying it. Total weight 4.77 kg.
The food ration (MRE) is a standard military ready-to-eat option (contains about 1,300 calories). Expiry date guaranteeing 100% preservation - six months (80% - up to three years). In 1993, 70 new components were added to the ration that has existed since the 1980s. At the same time, 14 of the least popular dishes were removed from the range. But their number has increased (for example, four vegetarian have been added). Individual soldering weight 0, 73 kg.
Individual combat equipment of a soldier of the US Army:
1. Helmet with night vision goggles
2. Combat tactical equipment
3. Bulletproof vest
4. Elbow pad
5. Bayonet
6. Knee pad
7. Intercom microphone
8. Cargo equipment
9. Aqua system of "Camelback" type
10. Carbine
11. Gas mask
12. Boots (with a high top)
Individual combat equipment is constantly being finalized, and every three years, the wishes of the commanders of the brigade link of the ground forces are considered to change and improve it, taking into account the experience of combat and operational training. First of all, the results of the use of troops in the conflicts in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq are taken into account. Currently, in particular, two new options for helmets, three for boots, three for field uniforms, body armor, socks and gloves, modular combat tactical and cargo equipment, warm underwear, knee pads and elbow pads, knitted woolen hats, aqua system, universal tool, as well as a monocular night vision device, machine gun telescopic sight, laser aiming point indicator, optoelectronic sight, sun, windproof and dustproof goggles. An improved combat helmet used by Special Operations Command, a modular integrated communications unit (MICH) with a built-in transceiver, microphone and telephone, and a similar helmet with a head-up display are also being tested.
Every three to four years, the combat units of the brigade link of the US Army receive new equipment, and after five to seven years it is replaced or modernized.
