40 ARMY n March 2008

Three devices:n AN/PEQ-15 advanced target pointer/illuminator/aiming light (ATPIAL)n AN/PEQ-15A DBAL-A2 infrared lasern Mini-infrared pointer illuminator module (MIPIM)All are laser-aiming devices designed to be used in conjunction with night-vision devices

(NVDs). When zeroed to the weapon, they provide an invisible (except to NVDs) continuous in-frared (IR) beam along the weapon’s line of fire for precise aiming. The MIPIM and ATPIAL offerseparate adjustable-focus IR illumination for improved situational awareness and a visible reddot-aiming laser that also can be selected for day or night operations. The MIPIM also incorpo-rates a white-light flashlight into its design. All can be weapon-mounted or used as handheld illuminators/pointers. The IR ranges are 600 meters on low power and 2,000 meters on high; thevisible lasers have a range of 25 meters in daylight (but not direct sunlight). The DBAL-A2

weighs 8 ounces and has aminimum operational timeof 5 hours on one DL 123Abattery. The MIPM weighs 9.9ounces and is powered bytwo DL 123A batteries, whichgive it a minimum opera-tional time of 15 hours withboth IR lasers on high and 1hour with white light con-stantly on. The ATPIAL weighs7.5 ounces and is poweredby one DL 123A battery,which gives it a minimumoperational time of 6 hourswith both lasers on high.

Sensors and Lasers

March 2008 n ARMY 41

he Best for the Best” is the operationalmotto of the Program Executive Office (PEO)

Soldier. PEO Soldier, headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., teamsthe project manager and product manager offices that develop and

provide soldiers with weapons, individual equipment and clothing needed for the fight, employing a strategic soldier-as-a-system approach to designing, producing

and fielding that ensures each piece of soldier equipment integrates with other equipmentfor maximum efficiency and effectiveness. Information on the following equipment items

was provided by PEO Soldier officials as examples of recent equipment fieldings anddevelopmental items that could reach soldiers in the near future.

The T-11 parachute system isthe first wholesale moderniza-tion of the U.S. Army’s tacticalparachute system since the1950s. It includes a completelyredesigned main and reserveparachute and an integratedharness system. It enables a sta-ble, low rate of descent to re-duce landing injuries while al-lowing parachutists to carryheavier loads. The main canopyis a highly modified version ofa cross-cruciform platform thathas a 14 percent larger inflateddiameter and a 28 percent largersurface area compared to the

predecessor T-10D canopy. The reserve canopy is a derivative of theproven British low-level parachute aeroconical design that promotes fastopening of the reserve system during low-speed malfunctions. It also fea-tures an omnidirectional, center-pull deployment system. The T-11 har-ness is designed to displace opening shock forces of the reserve parachuteacross the length of the jumper’s body because of higher placement of theD-rings. The T-11 is designed to have an average rate of descent of 18 feetper second for 95 percent of the body weight spectrum, compared to 22feet per second with the T-10D. The system’s weight is 52.7 pounds. Themain canopy has a 30.6-foot diameter at the hem, and the reserve canopyhas a 24-foot normal diameter. The T-11 is undergoing operational testing.

Mass Tactical Canopy (T-11) Personnel Parachute System

42 ARMY n March 2008

The FREE system is amultilayered, versatileinsulating system forcombat vehicle and avi-ation crews; it allowsthem to adapt to vary-ing environmental con-ditions and mission re-quirements and, as thename states, is fire resis-tant. The system con-sists of undergarmentsin two fits (one specifi-cally for males and theother for females), abase layer, mid-weightlayer, light outer layer,intermediate outerlayer, cold weathergloves, balaclavas (onefor hot weather, theother for cold), extremewet weather parka, rig-ger belt and wool socksand is functional forwear both in and out ofaircraft or vehicles.

Fire-Resistant Environmental Ensemble (FREE)

The M110 SASS is a 7.62mm antipersonnel and lightantimateriel weapon that ex-ceeds the rate of fire andlethality of the M24 sniperweapon system. It has an ef-fective range of 800 metersand leverages a rapid fire/rapid reload design. It hasa variable-power day opticsight, uses 10- or 20-roundmagazines and has a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail formounting a variety of scopesand accessories. The M110(combat ready with soundsuppressor) weighs 17.3pounds and includes a de-

tachable folding bipod. An enhanced spotting scope (XM151) is part of the system; accessories includehard and soft cases. Overall length with the suppressor attached is 46.5 inches (buttstock fully com-pressed). The complete system within the hard carrying case weighs 70 pounds.

M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS)

Interceptor body armor (IBA) is the most up-to-datebody armor available. IBA is a modular system, consist-ing of an outer vest, ballistic plates and attachmentsthat increase the coverage area. The system increasessurvivability by stopping or slowing bullets and frag-ments and reducing the number and severity ofwounds. The latest modification is the development ofthe improved outer tactical vest (IOTV), which is lighterand incorporates several advances over the original In-terceptor outer tactical vest (OTV). The IOTV is morethan 3 pounds lighter (depending on size) than theOTV. With all inserts and plates, the IOTV (medium)weighs 30 pounds, compared to 33.11 pounds for amedium OTV system. The IOTV opens on the side (theOTV opens in the front), which increases coverage area.The IOTV also incorporates built-in throat and under-arm protection, which were modular add-ons to theOTV. The IOTV comes in 11 sizes, three more than theOTV. The IOTV has a quick-release feature for removalof the vest in an emergency and includes multiple ad-justment points to improve fit, weight distribution andload-carrying capabilities. The IOTV also has a meshlining for better ventilation. Both the OTV and IOTVnow incorporate plates called the enhanced small armsprotective inserts (ESAPI) and enhanced side ballistic

inserts (ESBI), which add protection and can withstand multiple small-arms hits, includingarmor-piercing rounds. (For more information, see this month’s “Soldier Armed.”)

Interceptor Body Armor

The GEN III ECWCS is a 12-component multi-layered insulating ensemble that allows soldiersto adapt to varying environmental conditionsand mission requirements. It incorporates newmaterials that offer a wide range of breathabilityand protection, and the components are morecompatible with body armor wear. The systemincludes a lightweight undershirt and drawers,fleece cold weather jacket, wind jacket, soft-shelljacket and trousers, extreme cold/wet weatherjacket and trousers, and extreme cold weatherparka and trousers. The base layers are con-structed from silkweight, moisture-wicking knit-ted polyester and polyester grid fleece. The windjacket is made from a lightweight windproof andwater-repellant material that has good breatha-bility for moisture vapor transfer. The extremecold weather parka and trousers are constructedwith loft insulation and are highly compactableand lightweight. The entire ensemble, all layers

combined, weighs 12.85 pounds and comes in 15 sizes. Currently, the ensemble is being issued to soldiers deploy-ing to Afghanistan.

Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (GEN III ECWCS)

44 ARMY n March 2008

The ACH enhances ballistic protection, stability andcomfort without degrading vision or hearing. The modularhelmet is available in five sizes with two pad thicknessesand weighs from 2.93 pounds (small size) to 3.77 pounds(extra-extra large). The suspension system provides bluntforce protection, and the helmet has a four-point chinstrapdesign that allows quick adjustment. The shell is madefrom Aramid fabric. A new neck cushion adds ballistic pro-tection between the bottom of the ACH shell and top of theInterceptor body armor collar. The externally mounted hel-met sensor is a small, lightweight low-power sensor suitethat can be mounted to the ACH or combat vehicle crew-man helmet. It detects, measures and records impacts (ac-celeration in three degrees of freedom) and blast overpres-sure associated with explosive blasts or related concussion.Data is downloaded to a computer via a USB port. It is de-

signed to collect data to understand and characterize events that may cause traumatic brain injuries. The medicalcommunity can use the data to assess its utility for researching injuries, treating injuries and ultimately preventingfuture injuries.

Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) and Helmet Sensor, External Mounted

Land Warrior is designed to provide dismounted soldiers withunprecedented tactical awareness and significant improvementsin lethality, survivability and mobility. It is an integrated modu-lar system that employs state-of-the-art computer, communica-tions and geolocation technologies to link dismounted soldiersinto the digital battlefield. Integrated with a soldier’s missionequipment, the Land Warrior system components include a com-puter, helmet-mounted display, navigation module, voice-dataradio and multifunctional laser. Communications equipmentgives soldiers a capability for instant communications with fel-low soldiers, command posts, supporting vehicles and aircraft.The helmet-mounted display allows a soldier to see his location,the location of other Land Warrior-equipped soldiers, known en-emy positions and operational graphics on a large-scale map dis-play. A weapon-mounted daylight video sight and thermalweapon sight, linked to the helmet-mounted display, allows asoldier to see around corners and over obstacles while remainingbehind cover. The multifunctional laser can designate an enemyposition to appear on the common-map situational awareness

display and also transmit that position to fire-support elements in a digital call for fire. Having served as a LandWarrior test unit, the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Stryker), 2nd Infantry Divi-sion, has deployed to Iraq with its Land Warrior equipment.

Land Warrior

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48 ARMY n March 2008

The CROWS pro-vides soldiers thecapability to ac-quire and engagetargets without ex-posing themselvesoutside the protec-tion of an armoredvehicle. It can bemounted on a vari-ety of vehicles andsupports the Mk19grenade machine

gun, M2 (.50-caliber) machine gun, M240B machine gun and M249 squadautomatic weapon. CROWS is a three-axis stabilized mount that contains asensor suite and fire-control software, allowing on-the-move target acquisi-tion and first-burst target engagement. The sensor suite includes a daytimevideo camera, thermal camera and laser rangefinder that allow target acqui-sition both day and night. CROWS also features programmable target refer-ence points for multiple location recall, programmable sector surveillancescanning and programmable no-fire zones. It allows a soldier to view a tar-get independent of gun elevation, and its manual/emergency backup opera-tion capability offers improved firing stability over the current pintle mount.Potential enhancements include integration of other weapons and counter-sniper sensors. It has a continuous 360-degree traverse and can elevate from-20 to 60 degrees. It weighs 305 pounds without weapon, ammunition andballistic protection and has a height less than 28 inches in the operationalmode and less than 18 inches folded. It is rain, salt spray, sand and dusthardened.

Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station(CROWS)

The Air Warrior ensemble includes a flame-resistant aircrewcombat uniform and aircrew cold weather clothing system; a pri-mary survival gear carrier that includes various first-aid, sur-vival signaling and communication equipment; and flexiblebody armor with a ballistic upgrade plate. A microclimate cool-ing system is part of the system, which is an undergarment vestthat can increase mission duration by 350 percent in hot weather.The system’s chemical/biological protection ensemble uses theM45 and M48 protective masks with blowers, or joint service air-crew mask, a modified chemical protective undergarment,gloves and overboots or the joint protective aircrew ensemble.Overwater mission equipment includes a low-profile flotationcollar, survival egress air system (overwater gear carrier with in-tegrated raft with canopy and an anti-exposure suit). The systemutilizes the aircrew integrated helmet system HGU-56/P helmet.The system’s array of electronics includes a personal locator bea-con, aircraft wireless intercom (for CH-47 and UH-60 use), and

an electronic data manager that interfaces with current systems and features a movingmap display, electronic checklists and manuals, and performance planning capability.

Air Warrior

50 ARMY n March 2008

The M26 MASS is an attachmentfor the M4 and M16 modularweapon systems. It attaches to theunderside rail of the carbine or ri-fle and zeroes to the host weapon.It also can be modified to become astand-alone weapon with the at-tachment of a collapsible butt-stock/pistol grip and foregrips andcan mount a variety of sights andother devices on a Picatinny railsystem. It is a 12-gauge, semiauto-matic, magazine-fed weapon, but itcan be fired in a manual single-shot mode. The barrel length is7.75 inches and accepts a breachingstandoff adapter to increase safetyfor that application. Its stand-alone length is 24 inches (stock collapsed), weighing 4 pounds, 3 ounces. Its attachedlength is 16.5 inches, weighing 2 pounds, 11 ounces. The bolt handle is mountable on either side for ambidextrousoperation, and it can fire lethal, nonlethal and door-breaching rounds.

M26 12-Gauge Modular Accessory Shotgun System (MASS)

The XM312is being devel-oped as a po-tential replace-ment for thevenerable M2.50-caliber ma-chine gun,which hasbeen in servicefor more than75 years. TheXM312’s firstadvantage isweight. Withtripod and tra-versing and el-

evation mechanism, it weighs 53 pounds, compared to the comparable M2 system’s 128pounds. The XM312 also has 70 percent less recoil, allowing easier dismounted carryand enabling soldiers to use weapon magnification sights they can put their eyes on,which is not possible with the M2 because of harsh recoil. The XM312 eliminates theneed for adjusting headspace and timing, making it safer, and needs no special tools formaintenance. It can fire all .50-caliber ammunition currently in the inventory and can bemounted in any vehicle application. It could have a wider range of applications becauseof the reduced weight and decreased recoil, including light aircraft, small watercraftand others that are currently restricted to light and medium machine guns. The XM213fires at a rate of 230 rounds per minute and employs a modified M145 machine-gun op-tic that has a .50-caliber reticle. It also has a backup iron sight. M

XM312 .50-Caliber Lightweight Machine Gun