US Army eyeing ways to enhance soldier lethality portfolio

The US Army is looking for new technologies that will bolster the performance of an array of small arms and associated soldier equipment, and is seeking industry input.

In mid-July the service announced that the Project Manager for Soldier Lethality is launching an innovative designs and engineering assessment effort for vendor feedback on “new, innovative, enabling technologies”. Specifically, the army wants technology suggestions on how to improve its portfolio of small and medium calibre weapons, its future 6.8 mm Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSWs), fire control, optics, binoculars, remote weapons stations, suppressors, powered rails, barrel life enhancements, externally powered systems, recoilless rifles, and ammunition.

“These technologies will be used for experimentation, technical evaluation, and/or assessment of operational utility focused on enhancing system performance, sustainment, and/or training,” according to an army announcement. “This information will advise/inform future requirements that would potentially serve as new or replacement systems, complimentary systems or be integrated into existing systems.”