Infantry Support Weapons

Mission — Infantry Support Weapons source

A portion of this funding line directly aligns to the Soldier Lethality Army Modernization Priority. This Program Element (PE) Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) manages the Soldier as a system, with the goal of increasing Soldiers' combat effectiveness, increasing survivability, and improving the Soldiers' quality of life. It develops and tests prototypes of weapons, clothing, equipment, and other items useful to support the Soldier. Project CF3 (Integrated Soldier Systems (SL CFT)) test, maintain and evolve a Soldier/squad equipment configuration baseline, the Architecture Assessment Tool and conduct configuration management at the system level. The Adaptive Squad Architecture (ASA) and the Soldier Integration Facility (SIF) are Program Executive Soldier Office - Soldier (PEO-S) led efforts to support the Close Combat Integration Enterprise. These efforts support maturing and evaluating technologies for Squad as a System (SaaS). The focus is a system of systems approach that includes updating Formations Based Architecture, evaluation of interoperability of systems on the soldier and squad and updating the Architecture Assessment Tool (AAT). Maturing digital models, algorithms, integrating with virtual, constructive and live outdoor evaluation and digital tools across the Army, other Services, and Allies allows the PEO-S to act as the Leading Systems Integrator for SaaS. Funding for this project aligns with the Army's Digital Engineering and Digital Transformation Strategy and is a Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team priority. Project ES9 (Advanced Tactical Parachute System) improves personnel parachute systems and associated equipment for low and high altitude operations to include canopy improvements based on integration of new technology with the goal of enhancing the insertion capability and safety of the airborne Soldier and increasing the performance, reliability, and durability of personnel airdrop equipment. Project EW4 (Crew Served Weapons Engineering Development) Funding support Crew Served Weapons systems include small and medium caliber weapons ranging up to 40 millimeter and remote weapon stations. These efforts focus on system improvements designed to enhance lethality, target acquisition, fire control, usability, training effectiveness and reliability of weapons to include ammunition and counter UAS when developing and/or evaluating standard, non-standard weapons and remote weapon station enhancements. Focus areas include system development, integration (to include human-systems), demonstration, test and evaluate components, prototypes and operational system prototypes of small arms weapon systems and/or enhancements. Benefits include continuous improvements to small arms weapon systems, fire control equipment, optics, gun barrels, ancillary equipment, training devices, component mounts, weapon mounts, and weapon/ammunition interface of current small arms fleet or new weapon systems. Project FF2 (Small Arms Fire Control) supports the development of an advanced fire control for the Next Generation Automatic Rifle (NGSW-AR) and Rifle (NGSW-R). The Next Generation Fire Control will increase the probability of hit and decrease the time to engage through a variable powered direct view optic with integrated range finder, ballistic calculator, and digital display capable of providing an adjusted aim point. Project FL8 (84mm MAAWS Ammunition) supports test, evaluation and quality up to seven types of 84 millimeter (mm) munitions for the U.S. Army use with the M3/M3A1 Multi-Role Anti-Personnel Weapon Systems (MAAWS). Project FM4 (Next Generation Squad Weapons) supports the rapid prototyping and development of a NGSW-AR, NGSW-R and common cartridge to provide capability improvements in accuracy, range and lethality, in order to maintain overmatch and meet future warfighter requirements. Project GM1 (Future Medium Machine Gun) is intended to replace M240s inside the Closed Combat Force (CCF). The FMMG will increase Squad survivability and lethality in large scale combat operations. The FMMG is a belt fed crew served direct fire weapon system that will enable the rifle platoon to organically suppress and destroy enemy personnel targets and maintain operational tempo. The FMMG will provide increased lethality and capability to the warfighter compared to present Machine Gun technologies fielded to Operational Units. Project S58 (Soldier Enhancement Program) supports accelerated integration, modernization, and enhancement efforts of lighter, more lethal weapons, and improved Soldier items including lighter, more comfortable load-bearing equipment, field gear, survivability items, communications equipment, and navigational aids. Project S60 (Clothing & Equipment) supports pre-production development of state-of-the-art individual clothing and equipment to improve the survivability, mobility and sustainment affecting the quality of life of the individual Soldier. Project S61 (Acis Engineering Development) provides System Development programs with improved aircrew safety, survivability, and human performance that amplify the warfighting effectiveness and facilitates full-spectrum dominance of the Army aircraft including the AH-64 Apache/Longbow, CH-47 Chinook, UH/HH-60 Blackhawk, Light Utility Helicopter, and Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms. Project S63 (Individual Weapons Engineering Development) demonstrates engineering development models or integrated commercial items designed to enhance lethality, target acquisition, fire control, training effectiveness, and reliability for small arms weapon systems and ammunition. Programs include Improved Weapons Coatings, Personal Defense Weapon, 30 Round 5.56mm Magazine, Modular Handgun System (MHS), Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR), Sub Compact, Interim Combat Service Rifle (ICR) and Precision Grenadier System (PGS). Project S70 (Personnel Recovery Support System (PRSS)) provides system research, development and testing of the Personal Recovery Support System/Personnel Recovery Support Equipment supporting operations to report and locate isolated, missing, detained or captured Soldiers. Project VS5 (Soldier Protective Equipment) supports engineering and manufacturing development of Individual Soldier Ballistic Protection equipment. It will leverage advancements in technology to continue incremental improvements to body armor (to include improved outer tactical vests, plate carriers, and helmets) and other personal protective equipment. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $4.166 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative."

Mission — Integrated Soldier Systems (SL CFT) source

The Adaptive Squad Architecture (ASA) and the Soldier Integration Facility (SIF) are Program Executive Soldier Office - Soldier (PEO-S) led efforts to support the Close Combat Integration Enterprise. These efforts support maturing and evaluating technologies for Squad as a System (SaaS). The focus is a system of systems approach that includes updating Formations Based Architecture, evaluation of interoperability of systems on the soldier and squad and updating the Architecture Assessment Tool (AAT). Maturing digital models, algorithms, integrating with virtual, constructive and live outdoor evaluation and digital tools across the Army, other Services, and Allies allows the PEO-S to act as the Leading Systems Integrator for SaaS. Funding for this project aligns with the Army's Digital Engineering and Digital Transformation Strategy and is a Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team priority. FY26 funding directly supports IBCT formation based architectures that connect Soldier Borne Mission Command, Nett Warrior, and LASSO with other sensors and robotics to provide 3rd party extensibility on the battlefield. Funding also supports common control/controller architecture development between Nett Warrior and robotics being employed during HMI-F Inc 1, and a dismounted Soldier C2 architecture that is integrated with Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) and Uncrewed Vehicle Control (UVC)

Mission — Advanced Tactical Parachute System source

Funding in this project supports the Army Modernization Priorities. Advanced Tactical Parachute System funding improves Low-Altitude and High-Altitude personnel parachutes and associated equipment to include test and evaluation of items transitioning from Advanced Component Development and prototype (6.4) efforts, with the goal of enhancing the insertion capability and safety of the airborne Soldier and increasing the performance, reliability, and durability of personnel airdrop equipment. Funding also supports improvements and testing/evaluation of personnel parachute systems including integration and interface with the Soldier system. This project will continue to support cross-service initiatives to improve commonality.

Mission — Crew Served Weapons Engineering Development source

The Crew Served Weapons Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) program provides funds to transition components or prototypes from Budget Activity 4 (BA 4) Program Element (PE) 0603827A Soldier Systems - Advanced Development Project S54 Small Arms Improvement and other domestic and foreign sources of small arms weapon systems to demonstrate, test and evaluate capability near or at planned operational requirements. Crew Served Weapons systems include small and medium caliber weapons ranging up to 40 millimeter and remote weapon stations. Current and future efforts focus on system improvements designed to enhance lethality, target acquisition, fire control, usability, training effectiveness and reliability of weapons to include ammunition counter unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) when developing and/or evaluating standard, non-standard weapons and remote weapon station enhancements. Focus areas include system development, integration (to include human-systems), demonstration, test and evaluate components, prototypes and operational system prototypes of small arms weapon systems and/or enhancements. Benefits include continuous improvements to small arms weapon systems, fire control equipment, combat optics, gun barrels, ancillary equipment, training devices, component mounts, weapon mounts, and weapon/ammunition interface of current small arms fleet or new weapon systems.

Mission — Small Arms Fire Control source

The M157 Next Generation Squad Weapon - Fire Control (NGSW-FC) is an advanced fire control device that supports the Next Generation Squad Weapons. NGSW-FC increases the probability of hit and decreases the time to engage through a variable powered direct view optic with integrated range finder, ballistic calculator, and digital display capable of providing an adjusted aim point. The M157 NGSW-FC will utilize open architecture along with modular interfaces that will deliver the initial increased core capability followed by increasing increments of capability/enhancements over time as technology matures and evolves. Supports development and test of weapon mounted optics, lasers, sensors, and other enablers to increase lethality of dismounted weapon systems.

Mission — Next Generation Squad Weapons source

The Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program will develop weapon systems and common 6.8mm cartridge to maintain overmatch and meet future force warfighter needs. The M7 Rifle is the planned replacement for the M4A1 Carbine in the close combat force and select support units. The M7 Rifle will provide capability improvements in accuracy, range, and lethality. The M250 Automatic Rifle is the planned replacement for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) in the close combat force and select support units. The M250 Rifle combines the firepower and range of a machine gun with the precision and ergonomics of a carbine, yielding capability improvements in accuracy, range, and lethality. The M7 Rifle and M250 Automatic Rifle will use a common 6.8mm cartridge in a variety of ammunition types including but not limited to general purpose (GP), special purpose (SP), reduced range, and blank. Development efforts for additional NGSW variants may follow to replace other legacy systems or provide additional enhanced capabilities.

Mission — Soldier Enhancement Program source

The Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP) was established by the National Defense Authorization Act in Fiscal Year 1990 to provide a rapid approach to evaluate Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), Government off-the shelf (GOTS), or Non-Developmental Items (NDI) capabilities to increase the combat effectiveness of the Soldier. SEP now uses a "buy, try and decide" methodology. SEP provides significant savings and acceleration in the evaluation of leading-edge Soldier capabilities in order to provide combat overmatch. The SEP tri-chair leadership consists of the Director, Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate (MCDID), the Infantry Commandant, and Program Executive Officer (PEO) Soldier. Proposals are submitted by Soldiers and industry at any time, are reviewed monthly and new projects are approved semi-annually by the SEP Council of Colonels (CoC). Approved proposals are validated by the Director, MCDID. Validated SEP initiatives are procured and then evaluated by Soldiers for feasibility and suitability. Based on the evaluation findings, the SEP CoC provides one or more of the following courses of action: (1) inform deliberate or urgent/emerging requirements generation, (2) initiate a new Program of Record (POR) or improve an existing POR, (3) provide a national stock number (NSN) for unit procurement or (4) the item did not meet objectives and no further action is necessary. The funding supports SEP evaluation preparation, conducting evaluations, and documenting results. Funding for this project aligns with the Army's priorities in support of the National Defense Strategy and is a priority of the Army Futures Command (AFC).

Mission — Clothing & Equipment source

Funding in this effort supports Army Modernization Priorities. It supports engineering and manufacturing development tasks related to clothing and individual equipment with the goal of enhancing the lethality, survivability, and mobility as well as the quality of life of the Warfighter. It funds formal Developmental Testing/Operational Testing (DT/OT) of preproduction and prototypes leveraging technological advancements. Those advancements focus on materials, fabrication techniques, moisture management, flame resistance, vector protection, extreme environmental protection, and camouflage. This effort also funds evaluations of Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment (OCIE) appropriate for use in extreme or multi-climate environments. Funding supports test and evaluation of both tactical and non-tactical clothing and individual equipment development and enhancement resulting in the integrated systems for the Airborne, Arctic, Arid, Jungle, and Temperate Soldier. This effort will further develop capabilities transitioning from Project S53 to increase performance and safety of Warfighter clothing and equipment. PdM SCIE will continue to support multi-service commonality and modernization initiatives through technology that enables combat operations and enhances lethality.

Mission — Acis Engineering Development source

This project conducts development, integration, qualification, and upgrade activities in support of the Air Soldier System (Air SS) and Aviation operational needs as codified in the Air SS requirements document, which provides aviators with improved sustainability, safety, and lethality. The Air SS addresses capability gaps identified in combat operations, as well as emerging challenges, such as Transformation in Contact (Tic) and Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2), to Army aircrew safety and performance caused by limited Situational Awareness (SA), lack of protection from emerging threats, and a lack of functionally integrated mission electronics and protective/ survival equipment. Air SS delivers enhanced aircrew survivability, Situational Awareness (SA), interoperability, and improved mission performance. The Air SS offers enhanced mission planning and execution through the introduction of upgraded hardware and software components, enabling improved connectivity among aircrew members, other aircraft, and ground assets. Capabilities further enhance terrain mapping, threat, and obstacle avoidance information through improved Heads-Up Display (HUD) technologies, which also align with platform needs such as the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), Black Hawk, Chinook, and Apache. Additionally, Air SS includes a digital replacement for paper-based DoD Flight Information Publications and the Aircrew Combat Equipment (ACE), a replacement for the legacy survival vest. These enhanced capabilities support both the enduring fleet and future fleet.

Mission — Individual Weapons Engineering Development source

The Individual Weapons Engineering Development program provides funds to transition components or prototypes from Budget Activity 4 (BA 4) Element (PE) 0603827A Soldier Systems - Advanced Development Project S54 Small Arms Improvement Program, and other domestic and foreign sources of small arms weapon systems, to demonstrate, test, and evaluate capability near or at planned operational requirements. The Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) and Soldier Lethality Cross Functional Team (CFT) at Fort Moore, GA (User Community) identifies the Individual Weapons Engineering Development activities as critical to addressing or closing capability gaps for our Soldiers in combat. Small arms systems include weapons ranging up to 40 millimeter (mm) in caliber. Current and future efforts focus on system development, system improvements, and integration (to include human-systems) to enhance lethality, target acquisition and tracking, fire control, usability, training effectiveness, and reliability. System improvements include ammunition when developing and/or evaluating standard and non-standard weapons. In addition to training, system integration of ammunition includes the capability to defeat personnel in defilade, personnel in close quarters, and unmanned aerial systems. Benefits include continuous improvements to small arms weapon systems, fire control equipment, optics, gun barrels, ancillary equipment, training devices, component mounts, weapon mounts, and weapon/ammunition interfaces of current or new small arms weapon systems.

Mission — Personnel Recovery Support System (PRSS) source

The Personnel Recovery Support System (PRSS) consists of components that include Personnel Recovery Devices (PRD) and other Personnel Recovery Support Equipment (PRSE) items that provide the capability to report and locate isolated Soldiers, forces and elements in a GPS denied environment. Funding supports system research, development, testing, and evaluation of next-generation PRSS/PRSE items to enhance capability and provide a secure waveform with Low Probability of Intercept (LPI)/Low Probability of Detection (LPD) while operating in increasingly contested environments utilizing secure signals of opportunity that meet Army qualifications. It ensures continued technology insertion within the relevant theaters of operations and the Continental United States (CONUS).

Mission — Soldier Protective Equipment source

Funding in this project supports the Army Modernization priority. It supports Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) to include design integration and manufacturing of production representative articles, formal developmental testing / operational testing (DT/OT), Soldier touchpoints, and continued development of SPS technologies transitioning from Project VS4. It leverages advancements in technology to continue improvements to the Army's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) portfolio to include hard and soft body armor components such as Vital Torso Protection (VTP) and Torso and Extremity Protection (TEP), Next Generation (NG) IHPS, Military Protective Eyewear systems, hearing protection, and other personal protective equipment. This project will continue to support cross-service initiatives to increase commonality.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (26)