The US military has embarked on an ambitious modernization effort to maintain its powerful capabilities and quality advantages over potential adversaries such as China or Russia. As part of this process, the army went through one of its most significant reorganizations in the past 40 years, organizing the Office of Advanced Models of Weapons and Military Equipment (Directorate of POViVT), which was given several large-scale modernization tasks.
One of these priorities is to improve the fire efficiency of the individual soldier. To focus on this task, the Office has established a dedicated Cross Functional Team (CFT). The main goal of the CFT group is to reduce inequalities of opportunity and ensure that these 100,000 soldiers, who risk their lives every day, are equipped with the right equipment for the future battle.
The soldier's upgrade list is divided into several major priority subsections: clothing and protection, communications, aiming and night vision devices, and weapons systems. One of the main goals of the Army's POViVT Directorate is the rapid deployment of innovative technologies among the troops in order to eliminate the infamous, time-consuming Pentagon procurement processes, which often hinder rather than facilitate modernization. Fortunately, army officials admit that state and non-state participants in these processes (including corporations) were able to quickly reorganize in order to remain in demand and avoid stagnation and, as a result, negative consequences for the combat capability of the army.
Equipment and protection
One of the main programs of the American army in the field of equipment and protection is the new SPS (Soldier Protection System), which is currently being supplied to advanced units. This set of advanced personal protective equipment includes four subsystems, including: body and limb protection TEP (Torso and Extremity Protection); trunk protection VTP (Vital Torso Protection); integrated head protection system IHPS (Integrated Head Protection System); and eye protection TCEP (Transition Combat Eye Protection).
The goal of the SPS program is to provide soldiers with protection from small arms fire and shrapnel equal to or greater than that of existing body armor and, just as important, less weight. The subsystems are adaptable and tunable for a variety of combat scenarios and provide protection for the eyes, head and neck, upper and lower torso. The wearer's limbs and pelvis are also protected, including the femoral artery.
“Soldiers in a unit can make different demands,” said Ginger Whitehead of the Soldier's Equipment Program Development and Execution Office (hereinafter Soldiers Programs Office) of SPS adaptability. - I want to wear less, because this threat is specific and I'm going to take this risk. Or I'm going to wear whatever I have, as the risk is extremely high, which means a little more weight. But we need protection. Combat gear Soldier Protection System gives us the ability to scale protection, which we have not had in the past."
The SPS TEP subsystem consists of a modular MSV (Modular Scalable Vest) vest with the option of adding a BCS (Ballistic Combat Shirt) shirt to protect the arms, as well as an anti-explosion pelvic protection and a bullet-proof belt to distribute weight from the shoulders to the hips.
According to Whitehead, the MSV vest is the pride of the SPS system, as it expands capabilities with various protection options and a four-point quick release system, "which is especially important when you are in a burning car or a crashing plane," she said.
MSV replaces the standard IOTV (Improved Outer Tactical Vest) vest and, in its lightest form, can be worn discreetly under outerwear. The new bulletproof jacket also replaces the deltoid protection system that was part of the previous IOTV variant. As Whitehead noted, this new shirt is the only SPS piece that is gender-specific, including a V-back for women pulling their hair into a bun. This is especially important for women in the prone position, as it ensures correct operation of the scope. The shirt for women also features shorter sleeves and a wider corset belt at the waist.
Allowing women to take part in the fighting meant that SPS equipment had to be designed to match soldiers of both genders. In this regard, a transition was made from the fixation mechanism of the X-shaped to the H-shaped (again for women collecting hair in a bun), plus the choice of sizes of ballistic plates was expanded. According to Whitehead, the increase in the number of plate sizes available to soldiers is due “to the not entirely positive experience in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the typical“one size fits all”approach was widely used.
These ballistic plates - front and rear body plates and side plates - form part of the VTP torso protection system and were supplied by BAE Systems and 3M / Ceradyne for the installation batch. This year, the Army has tested a lighter VTP variant, although information on these is limited. Whitehead said the army is "not entirely happy yet," as mass production of the new VTP body armor is likely to begin in about a year and a half.
At the end of 2018, the army signed a € 34 million contract with 3M / Ceradyne for the supply of IHPS helmets. This helmet can be equipped with a variety of accessories, such as jaw protectors, transparent visors, night vision goggles, guides and overhead bulletproof inserts for increased protection.
[quote] "We are rapidly moving towards the creation of a complete set of equipment and it is exciting that in the not so distant future we will be able to provide the soldiers with all the necessary subsystems and, as a result, they will be able to more efficiently perform dangerous and complex tasks", [/quote]
said Whitehead.
These boots are for the military
Since the beginning of this year, the Natik Soldier Center has been testing new prototypes of Army Combat Boot (ACB) boots under a variety of conditions. Despite the emergence of new technologies and materials, the current generation of DIA has not changed significantly since 2010, although this could increase the soldier's capabilities, as well as the level of comfort.
[quote] "Recently, there has been significant progress in the field of military footwear for the jungle, mountainous terrain and cold climates, but there is great scope for improving the versatile boots intended for new recruits", [quote]
- said the head of the DIA program.
After the army interviewed 14,000 soldiers around the world, this development received a new impetus. The results showed that 50% of respondents would choose commercial off-the-shelf products rather than the ones given to them. While soldiers believe that finished boots generally offer better comfort and less wear and tear, in practice they show completely unsatisfactory performance in terms of durability and protection.
The main goal of this program is to reduce the weight of shoes, which has been made possible by advances in materials. Reducing the weight of combat equipment, in particular footwear, maintains the combat effectiveness and readiness of soldiers.
In the field of equipment, the army also wants to improve its shaggy-style ghillie suits for snipers. It is planned that the current FRGS (Flame Resistant Ghillie System) fire-resistant ghillie suit will be replaced by a new, cheaper system with a higher level of modularity as part of the IGS (Improved Ghillie System) program. The new ghillie suit will be more breathable than the current FRGS, which is too bulky and gets very hot at high temperatures. It is planned to purchase about 3,500 new suits for regular and special forces.
In the Soldier's Center and the Office for the Development and Execution of Soldier Equipment Programs, they also worked together on the Improved Hot Weather Combat Uniform (IHWCU), which is designed to increase the soldier's capabilities - survivability, lethality and safety in extremely hot and humid climates. … IHWCU has a reduced drying time thanks to the fabric, which is made up of 57% high strength nylon and 43% cotton. Next year, the suit will be available to all US Army soldiers as an optional piece of equipment.
Weapon
The US Army is in the process of purchasing several new weapons systems that will significantly increase the effectiveness of firepower in combat at the squad and individual soldier levels. These include a new rifle, a pistol, a system for snipers and low-level riflemen, and an improved anti-tank weapon. The largest and most notable is the NGSW (Next Generation Squad Weapons) program, within which the M4 / M4A1 carbine and the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, 5.56x45 mm, will be replaced with weapons chambered for a larger caliber. The program provides for the accelerated creation of a prototype and the purchase of an NGSW-Rifle rifle and an NGSW-Automatic Rifle automatic rifle, which will be able to fire with a universal cartridge of 6, 8 mm caliber.
This transition was initiated several years ago due to the fact that the army recognized the negative experience of the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 5.56x45 mm cartridge has several drawbacks, especially when it comes to penetrating the new generation body armor and the necessary stopping power at long distances. A spokesman for the US Army explained that the 5.56x45mm NATO standard ultimately lacks mass, while the larger 7.62x51mm cartridge does not have the desired aeroballistic performance.
“This meant that we needed something in the area of intermediate caliber,” he said. After several years of scientific research, many of which are still classified, as well as the results of a 2017 study on small arms ammunition SAAC (Small Arms Ammunition Configuration), it was determined that a new military cartridge of 6.8 mm caliber could be optimal. decision. The bullet of this cartridge is not only capable of penetrating a new generation of body armor, its aeroballistic characteristics determine a more flat trajectory, which increases accuracy at long distances.
In January last year, as part of a request for possible prototype development, the army published a more detailed description of the NGSW program. It says that the army will issue orders to three companies for three prototypes of the OTA (Other Transaction Agreement), each company will develop two options for weapons. For each OTA agreement, 53 NGSW-R rifles, 43 NGSW-AR automatic rifles, 845,000 rounds, spare parts, test barrels, tools / calibers / accessories, and design support will be supplied.
The latter includes two prototype tests - one in May 2020 lasting three months and in January 2021 lasting six months - and the so-called "points of contact" when soldiers of active units are given the opportunity to test these weapons. In addition to the 6, 8 mm bullet, the industry is given freedom regarding the type of case, powder charge and primer.
For example, Textron Systems was the first to develop telescopic sleeve technology (this configuration reduced weight by 40%), and recently announced that it had delivered a prototype to the Soldier Center as part of the NGSW-Technology program, which is testing the technology of the NGSW weapons complex. Other technologies that could be used include a liner made of lighter materials such as polymers.
An army spokesman explained that these accelerated prototype development is aimed at getting the industry to do most of the work on its own and "not paying attention to the instructions on how to work."
NGSW OTAs have actually been tested for compliance with standard federal laws; this means the issuance of an initial production contract - possibly up to 250,000 barrels - which can be signed without further competition. The NGSW program schedule provides for equipping the first unit by the end of 2022.
The army also wants to purchase a fire control system (FCS) for NGSW weapons with the intention of creating a prototype and testing it within 14 months. The need for a modern LMS was voiced in the same SAAC study, in which a caliber of 6, 8 mm was determined. It also notes that the MSA will become "the main factor in increasing the overall fire efficiency of the system."
Bids from the industry were received in November 2019 and competitive designs are due in January this year. Selected applicants must each supply 100 LMS and associated parts and tools to be tested and multiple touchpoints. The RFP and subsequent contracts for the production of the LMS could be issued as early as 2021, which will coincide with the deployment of NGSW rifles.
In the near future, the army will receive a new 7.62x51 caliber CSASS semi-automatic sniper rifle (Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System) based on the Heckler & Koch G28 rifle, as well as a modification known as the SDM-R (Squad Designated Marksman Rifle). Thus, the need for a standard high-precision long-range rifle for infantry, reconnaissance and engineering units will be satisfied. Last year, soldiers from the 1st Stryker brigade tested the SDM-R rifle, as a result of which it was decided to supply about 5,000 units to the troops in 2020.
Another weapon system is currently being deployed in large numbers - the Sig Sauer M17 pistol and the compact M18 pistol, selected to fulfill the requirements for the Modular Handgun System (MHS) pistol, released in 2017. In July, it was announced that the M17 / M18 pair, along with the corresponding Winchester ammunition, had been approved by the Office of Soldiers' Programs. To date, more than 59,000 pistols have been delivered and an additional 350,000 systems will be purchased in the next 5-7 years. The M17 / M18 pistols, replacing the outdated Beretta M9, will serve as a defense weapon and an additional weapon system.
As part of work to modernize its anti-tank capabilities at the platoon level, the American army will also replenish its arsenals with the latest version of the CARL GUSTAF recoilless grenade launcher in 84 mm caliber manufactured by Saab. In February, it was announced that the army and Saab had signed an agreement to supply the latest version of the M4 CARL GUSTAF, designated MZE1 by the American army. The M4 grenade launcher is lighter than its predecessors, while it is possible to integrate an FCS capable of programming grenades, which significantly increases their fire efficiency and accuracy.
Aiming systems and night vision
Along with the purchase of the CARL GUSTAF M4 grenade launcher, the US Army is also ready to increase the accuracy and lethality of the existing MZ variants, which still remain in its arsenals, especially in night operations and in conditions of limited visibility. It is planned to install an integrated thermal imaging sight ITWS (Integrated Thermal Weapon Sight) on the CARL GUSTAF grenade launcher. The ITWS sight includes the AN / PAS-13E TWS thermal imager and the AN / PSQ-23A STORM (Small Tactical Optical Rifle Mounted) laser rangefinder. At the end of 2018, at Fort Drama, the location of the 10th Mountain Rifle Division, the Office of Soldiers Programs conducted live-fire tests. "The integration of TWS / STORM with the MZ grenade launcher provides anti-tank crews with a new level of lethality, which allows them to accurately hit targets at night, as well as in conditions of limited visibility and even in the absence of it," said a spokesman for the Office.
As part of the FWS (Family of Weapon Sights) program, the army will receive thermal imaging sights for its individual, sniper and group weapons systems, respectively, FWS-I, FWS-S and FWS-CS. The main idea of the FWS program is to provide soldiers with a removable thermal imaging sight that can wirelessly transmit images from weapons to night vision goggles ENVG III (Enhanced Night Vision Goggle III) and binoculars ENVG-Binocular; this function is called "fast target acquisition". Leonardo DRS and BAE Systems are the prime contractors in this program.
One of the key priorities of the universal CFT group is the adoption of ENVG-B binoculars for supply, to which the army command gives top priority. The ENVG-B binoculars use the technology of fusion of images from two channels - intensification of brightness and thermal imaging, - the binocular configuration improves the perception of depth. Since the ENVG-B binoculars are digital, you can also overlay various icons on the thermal image, including the location of your forces and the compass indication.
“The system has successfully proven itself among our rangers and infantrymen. They also used night vision goggles during the day, which accelerated the learning process and facilitated a faster transition from the lowest to the highest rifle category,”said a representative of the Office of Soldiers Systems. - This is more than we thought. I shot with these glasses on. It was the best thing I have tried throughout my entire military service. He added that the first unit to be equipped with ENVG-B binoculars will be an armored brigade deployed in South Korea.
Next-generation night vision technology could come in the form of Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IAVS), which was developed using Microsoft's HoloLens technology and will take augmented reality technology to the next level. He noted that the first stage of the IVAS program has now been completed and there are three more stages left. The army hopes to transfer IVAS systems to soldiers by the end of 2022.
This technology will be able to maximize its potential when integrated with the dismounted commander's situational awareness system known as NETT WARRIOR (NW). Squad leaders are currently using a small device that is part of the NW that allows them to see the positions of other commanders, images from platforms such as drones, and orders and data from upper echelons. In the future, most of the data will be output to the IAVS system (in fact, an indication in the style of a fighter pilot), which will significantly increase the level of knowledge of the situation and the efficiency of missions.
The procurement of new protective equipment, equipment, weapon systems and night vision devices is expected to significantly increase the capabilities of melee units. The reorganization of the American army and the formation of the Advanced Weapons and Military Equipment Command, which oversees the modernization process, also instills optimism about its future, especially against the backdrop of bloody asymmetric campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. If this modernization is successfully implemented, the US Army will be able to maintain a qualitative advantage over future potential rivals without any problems.
