Equipping the soldier of the future - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Equipping the soldier of the future

The Army has been pushing to identify gear soldiers need or want, find the best solutions and field them quickly.

The result is state-of-the-art gear going from idea to inventory in less than a year. Some of these projects have made their way into the ranks; others are just around the corner. Twelve of the top items soldiers will see within the year:

• M2010 sniper rifle

The M24 sniper rifle has transitioned from the 7.62mm NATO caliber (.308 Winchester) to a .300 Winchester Magnum. The change is expected to expand a sniper’s effective range from 800 to 1,200 meters.

The rifle also boasts the 10-inch Titan-QD Fast-Attach suppressor, which cuts 98 percent of muzzle flash and 60 percent of recoil, and reduces sound by 32 decibels, Remington says. Rails built into the M2010 chassis and a free-floating barrel help give tighter accuracy.

The improved 6.5-20x50 variable power Leupold scope has an enhanced reticle within the first focal plane. That means the reticle power will scale with the zoom up to 20 power; snipers will have to make fewer calculations as target distances change.

• Tactical Assault Panel

This panel is another key piece of the new combat load. It enables soldiers to carry more magazines with wider distribution — and mobility equals survivability.

Eight single pouches can be configured to carry either 10 M4 magazines or six magazines with other gear such as the Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio, or MBITR; the Defense Advanced GPS Receiver, or DAGR; or M14 magazines.

The design also reduces the soldier’s profile.

• IED radar

Ground Penetrating Radar identifies buried mines and explosive devices — even those that are nonmetallic and nonmagnetic. It typically is mounted on the forward arm of the Husky mine detection system.

Roughly 80 are in theater and another 76 were ordered in June and will be delivered by the end of November.

• Enhanced Night Vision Goggles

Enhanced Night Vision Goggles add thermal detection, enabling soldiers to see the heat signature of people and vehicles at night, in all weather and in degraded battlefield conditions, with a 50 percent probability at 300 meters and an 80 percent probability at 150 meters, according to Army data.

The Army has dropped $770 million to provide the goggles to 50,000 more soldiers.

• Improved ACUs

Army Combat Uniforms have more than the distinctive Operation Enduring Freedom camouflage pattern going for them. There are no more crumpling collars and less Velcro. Cargo pockets on the trousers have buttons, and the crotches are stronger. The uniforms come with insect-resistant permethrine treatment and provide better flame resistance.

Soldiers heading into theater are issued four sets.

• Looking through walls

“Sense Through the Wall” technology, also known as the AN/PPS-26, is a lightweight, battery-powered detector that uses radar waves to detect human targets through 8 inches of adobe walls or other barriers. The waves detect movement — even the breathing pattern of a person in hiding, according to Army data.

The detector has a 60-foot reach, meaning an operator can “sense” 10 feet into a building if he is standing 50 feet away, or 60 feet into the building if the detector is placed against the wall. A red dot identifies the individual behind the wall, and provides the distance from and direction to that person.

The Army will buy up to 9,212 detectors over the next three years. It is expected that one detector will be issued to each infantry squad.

• New parachute

The T-11 static-line, non-maneuverable parachute can carry more combat gear — up to 400 pounds, which eliminates the need to adjust jumper weight for high-altitude drops. The 18-foot-per-second rate of descent results in 49 percent less landing force when the soldier hits the ground, officials said. This has cut parachute-landing fall injuries by more than half.

The three-phase deployment gives a smooth opening, and a slider takes out extension twists as the jumper goes from a horizontal to a vertical plane. And unlike the T-10, which has a vent in the center, the T-11 has four corner vents that greatly reduce oscillations.

A new harness design allows soldiers to jump while wearing body armor. D-rings are in the area of the chest instead of the stomach, so a soldier who pulls his reserve is suspended from his shoulders in a much-preferred vertical orientation.

The T-11 will replace all legacy chutes in five to six years, officials said.

• 2nd-gen IOTV

The second-generation Improved Outer Tactical Vest uses a plate carrier to allow soldiers to shed up to 15 pounds while keeping vital organs protected from 7.62 caliber, armor-piercing rounds. The IOTV still provides protection from flame and shrapnel.

The side plate carrier is adjustable to provide better comfort and protection.

The soldier’s quick-release cable is covered to prevent it from being caught during egress. The medic cable is contained in a canal to keep it in a comfortable position. This cable enables a medic access to a wounded area without completely removing a soldier’s body armor.

• New carbine

Soldiers will soon get either an improved M4 or a new, better carbine altogether.

The first part of the Army’s dual strategy is to radically overhaul the M4 to give grunts an improved version of the special operations M4A1. This offers a heavier barrel, automatic fire and ambidextrous controls.

The next 12,000 M4s will be A1s. Another 25,000, as well as roughly 65,000 conversion kits, will be purchased.

The second path challenges industry to come up with a better carbine. No caliber restriction has been placed on a new design. The Army simply wants the most reliable, accurate, durable, easy-to-use weapon. It will be at least a 500-meter weapon and have a higher incapacitation percentage. This weapon also will be modular and able to carry all the existing attachments soldiers use.

The winner will selected by the end of 2011. When you get it will depend on funding.

• Medium ruck

Countless troops gave the same report: The assault packs are too small for longer missions and the 72-hour ruck is too big. The new ruck provides a midsize solution — with added benefits. Its detachable harness allows paratroopers to access the pack after they are rigged for jumping without compromising pre-jump inspections.

The ruck is one of more than a dozen pieces of gear that comprise a new combat load issued to troops in, and headed to, the ’Stan.

• New boots

Soldiers headed into theater also get two pairs of Danner boots. But Army officials are expected to select a new boot any day. Three lighter, stronger boots are being evaluated, and the Army is expected to take delivery early in 2011.

The modular boot will be optimal for Afghanistan’s rugged terrain, and will have a sock device that can be pulled over it to keep the soldiers’ feet warm without causing them to sweat.

• ‘Green ammo’

A 2006 survey of combat vets found enemy soldiers were shot multiple times but were still able to keep fighting. One in five U.S. soldiers polled recommended a more lethal round.

The answer is the M855A1 enhanced performance round, also known as “green ammo.” It provides more stopping power at shorter distances. The older round had to get into a yaw dependency for maximum effect. If it hit the enemy straight, it would punch right through them. The new ammo is not yaw dependent. If it hits the enemy, he is going down.

The Army plans to produce more than 200 million rounds in the coming year.