Infantry Small Arms of the Future: Practical and Tactical Considerations

Future infantry small arms and light weapons of the future will maximize effects, minimize logistics and training, and allow for more efficient and effective future infantry forces. As technological advances have been made more available to ground combat units over the last few decades, the combat load of the individual soldier has continued to increase. Currently, the top five weight-contributing items that the infantryman carries are his individual protective equipment, personal water, communications equipment, small arms or light weapons, and ammunition. The priority of the equipment and proportion of the overall weight varies according to the mission and role of the individual, but these top five remain fairly consistent as the major load considerations for the infantryman. Consequently, the Joint services of the United States and many services in other countries are embarking on related programs to examine and exploit technological advances in order to benefit the individual soldier of the future. One of the key components common amongst these many programs is the quest to find a new family of lightweight small arms and light weapons. These infantry small arms and light weapons of the future will maximize effects, minimize logistics and training, and allow for more efficient and effective future infantry forces. Recommendation With developments in caseless ammunition and precision bursting munitions, improved future weapons will be lighter, have lighter-weight ammunition, and deliver tailorable effects. Future infantry forces will be able to capitalize on the greater measures of effectiveness and efficiency that the synergy of these systems will deliver in the tactical realm.