Army-Ground Mobility Vehicle Source: General Dynamics Army-Ground Mobility Vehicle Source: General Dynamics Close

The Army Ground Mobility Vehicle fulfills a need in the airborne and air assault operations undertaken by Airborne Infantry Combat Teams. The A-GMV 1.1 is configured to carry an airborne infantry squad of nine paratroopers, and their associated equipment (a payload capacity of over 5,000 pounds.) The vehicle's open design allows for multiple mission roles and can be modified to accept possible kit configurations such as remote and manned turrets, armor and arctic kits if the Army develops a requirement for them in the future. The A-GMV 1.1 can be transported by Army inventory helicopters.

Weapons squad fires two M240Bs during live-fire exercise Source: US Army Weapons squad fires two M240Bs during live-fire exercise Source: US Army Close

Test firing of the weapon prototype indicates that it has an accurate range far in excess of any existing military rifle today, he said.

Additionally, it fires at speeds that far exceed the velocity of bullets today and it will penetrate any existing body armor or body armor expected to exist over the next 25 years, he added. This sophisticated weapon also has a sight system that integrates into Soldiers' gear that incorporates the latest in information technology.

Producing such a highly capable weapon is clearly in the realm of the possible, Milley noted, after speaking with engineers designing the prototypes. Right now, feedback from the prototypes looks like it will fire 6.8mm rounds.

Because the weapon is so capable and so sophisticated, "not surprisingly, we expect it to be expensive," he said. "So we're probably not going to field the entire Army with this weapon. We'll prioritize to those Soldiers in all components who are in close combat quarters-type duties such as Infantry, Armor, Cavalry, Rangers, Special Forces, combat engineers."

The Army is looking to buy somewhere in the range of 100,000 of these weapons initially and may expand that later on, he said. The Army hopes to have them out on the range at Fort Benning, Georgia, hopefully by next summer.

"We look forward to it. It's exciting. But we don't want to speak too much about its technical capabilities because our adversaries watch these things very closely, so we prefer to keep the technical details out of the news," he said. "The bottom line is we're committed to a new rifle and a new squad automatic weapon."

Source: Russell Petcoff (AMC) Source: Russell Petcoff (AMC) Close

New Equipment Trainers of Project Manager Soldier Sensors and Lasers partnered with Project Manager Soldier Weapons and taught 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment Soldiers to use the Integrated Thermal Weapons Sight on the M3 Multi-role Anti-armor Anti-tank Weapon System Carl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle. The ITWS incorporates the AN/PAS-13E Thermal Weapons Sight and the AN/PSQ-23A Small Tactical Optical Rifle Mounted Laser Range Finder. The live-fire training occurred on a range on Fort Drum, New York.

PM SSL is part of Program Executive Office Soldier and equips Soldiers with sensors, lasers and precision targeting devices to dominate the battlefield through improved lethality, mobility, situational awareness and survivability in all operational environments. PM SW is also part of PEO Soldier and equips Soldiers with individual and crew served weapons to dominate the battlefield through improved lethality in all operational environments.

"We had a capability gap in that we could not effectively engage targets at night with the 'Carl-G' (M3)," said Capt. Alex Stewart, 2-22 Infantry Assistant Operations and Planning. "I expected our Soldiers to learn how to mount, operate, and make adjustments to the ITWS to give us that capability."

"Our task, or rather challenge, was not just to train Soldiers to operate the system to engage targets at night," Captain Stewart said. "It was two-fold: We needed to establish that capability, and equip leaders with the knowledge to train other Soldiers within our anti-tank sections. This training allowed us to do both."

To train the Soldiers, the NET had two objectives, according to Lonnie Schnepp, Special Operations Training Instructor Lead with PM SSL. The first was to train the Soldiers on how to operate the TWS and the STORM laser range finder, and integrate both of those systems onto the M3.

The second objective, according to Schnepp, was to increase the lethality of the 2-22 Infantry's AT section. Schnepp said the use of the TWS allows the detection and engagement of targets 24/7 including during limited visibility. Additionally, the TWS AN/PAS-13E variant is equipped with software that allows precise range and aiming calculations when used in conjunction with the STORM.

"Integrating the TWS/STORM onto the M3 provides the units anti-armor section with a new level of lethality that allows the Soldiers to engage targets during daylight and limited to no visibility operations," Schnepp said.

A Soldier within 1st Platoon, Chaos Company, 2-22 Infantry, said the training thoroughly prepared them. "This class far exceeded my expectations," said Staff Sgt. David. R. Caballero. "The instructors had a wealth of knowledge and were more than willing to conduct one on one training when needed. I initially thought the class would cover just the basics of the ITWS and the STORM. I didn't expect it to be as in depth as it was."

After two days of training, the 2-22 Infantry Soldiers had the opportunity to fire 22 high explosives rounds from the M3 MAAWS, putting their training into practical use.

"The live-fire day was great," Captain Stewart said. "It tied all the classroom training together. The ITWS allowed us to detect, aim, and fire on a target that could not be seen with the naked eye. The tank hulk was obscured by overgrown vegetation, but when viewed through the PAS-13, it was glowing. Anytime Soldiers get to shoot high explosives at a target they wouldn't normally be able to see is a good day."

Staff Sergeant Caballero also appreciated the live fire. "Shooting the live rounds was definitely great. Not only is it fun to shoot such a lethal weapon, but it showed how well the systems work together," the sergeant said. "The live fire actually showed us that the systems work great together versus someone telling us so.

"The best part was the confidence we gained in operating this weapon system in the conditions of limited visibility," Staff Sergeant Caballero added.

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