A Path to Overmatch Next Generation Individual Weapon System by Jim Schatz Presented at the 2016 NDIA Armament Systems Forum Fredericksburg, VA 27 April 2016 (DRAFT040716) A Quick Review 2 Review (2008 – 2015) 2008 Capability Stagnation 2009 through New & Emerging Acquisition Material Opportunities Dysfunction 2014 A Strategic Opportunity 2015 How to Counter 2010 the Threat Allied Agreement 2013 2011 Falling Behind IC - A Missed The Threat Opportunity 3 RUS Crimea/ISIS Hybrid (2015-Present) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 M4 5.56x45 500 500 AKM/AK74 M4 5.56x45 500 500 AKM/AK74 M4 5.56x45 500 500 AKM/AK74 M4 5.56x45 500 500 AKM/AK74 M4 5.56x45 500 500 AKM/AK74 M4 5.56x45 500 500 AKM/AK74 Threat +4 M4 5.56x45 500 500 AKM/AK74 M249 800 5.56x45 1000 SVDS 7.62R M249 800 added .62R’s 5.56x45 7 1500 PKP 7.62R M14EBR 800 1000 SVDS 7.62 7.62R M240 7.62 1100 2 additional additional 2 1500 PKP 7.62R 4 RUS/Chechen SF w/ 26 lb.* 7.62x54mmR PKM’s From their Intl Trng Cntr for Special Forces Facebook page – Mar. 2016 5 SO what have we learned since 2008? ●The threat (RUS, ISIS, al-Qaeda, others) continues to exploit the stand-off advantages (800+ meters) of 7.62x54mmR weapons (PKs/SVDs) beyond 5.56mm NATO effective range (500 meters). ●The US & NATO acknowledge this capability gap. Response is: -16+ caliber studies since 2005 (CAN, FR, GBR, GER, USA – RUS?) -2014 US Army Small Arms Strategy spawned SAAC Study ●Key Enablers are available, being fielded/implemented NOW -Carbine Training to 600 meters (US Army Small Arms MMTC) -Disturbed Reticle Carbine Sight (Steiner ICS - Italian Army - 2016) -Lightweight Ammo for Legacy Weapons (MAC .50 BMG in SOF) -Industry/Govt LICC’s (.260 Rem., LSAT 6.5mm CTA, .264/.277 USA) - @ 6 lb. Host Platforms (in 7.62mm) for LICC, LSAT 6.5mm Carbine ●SO IW Overmatch Art-of-the-Possible is “fieldable” in 1-3 years. 6 NO what have we learned? Exploiting Available Next Generation Technology & Training Can/Will Bring Overmatch to the War Fighter in Short Order BUT WE MUST ACT NOW! 7 Exploiting Available Technology = Overmatch The Medium vs Heavy Machine Gun Example ●TRL7+ Maturity, IR&D Funded by GD-OTS, available now! ●23 lb. weapon (versus 28 lbs. M240B, 84 lbs. M2HB) ●1900 meter MER (= .50 caliber M2HB, Threat DShK HMG’s) ●2X MER and 5X ME (at 1000M) of 7.62x51mm NATO ●.338NM Ammo Weight 1/3 that of .50BMG (+19% in polymer) ●Can replace both MMG (dismounted) and HMG (mounted) using exiting US tripods & mounts System weight comparison for 10 minutes of sustained fire Min Combat System M240 Min Combat System MMG Min Combat System M2HB M240 28 lbs MMG .338 Variant 23 lbs M2HB 84 lbs ACOG Sight 2.5 lbs ACOG Sight 2.5 lbs ACOG Sight 2.5 lbs M192 Tripod 11 lbs M192 Tripod 11 lbs M3 Tripod 44 lbs Spare Barrel 6.6 lbs Spare Barrel 6.2 lbs Spare Barrel 25 lbs 800 Linked Rds 53 lbs 500 Linked Rds 60 lbs 400 Linked Rds 132 lbs Total 101 lbs Total 102.7 lbs Total 287.5 lbs Load Break Down (3 person team) Load Break Down (3 person team) Load Break Down (9 personnel) Gunner (wpn, sight 100 rd 37 lbs Gunner (wpn, sght 100 rds) 37.5 lbs 3 personnel (Weapon) 84 lbs A. Gunner (Trpd, S.Brl 300 rd) 37 lbs A. Gunner (Trpd, Sp Brl, 100 rds) 29.2 lbs 1 person (Tripod) 44 lbs Ammo Bearer (400 rds) 27 lbs Ammo Bearer (300 rds) 36 lbs 1 person: (sp barrel and ACOG) 27.5 lbs 4 personnel (100 rounds each) 132 lbs 8 .50BMG .338NM 7.62 5.56 So let’s do this for the rifleman (70-80% of our small unit, rifle squad, SOF team members) 9 Next Gen Individual Weapon Overmatch How do we get there? T 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 ICC IW 800 500 AKM/AK74 h ICC IW 800 500 AKM/AK74 ICC IW 800 500 AKM/AK74 r ICC IW 800 500 AKM/AK74 ICC IW 800 500 AKM/AK74 e ICC IW 800 500 AKM/AK74 ICC IW 800 500 AKM/AK74 a t ICC SAW We must 1200 now focus 1500 on 1000 SVDS + 7.62R individual squad 1 ICC SAW w eapon overmatch 1200 1500 PKP 7.62R U 800 1000 SVDS 7.62R S .338 EBR 1500 1000 A .338 MMG 1900 1500 PKP + 7.62R Go from 5 to 2 Calibers/Cartridges! .338 HMG 1900 (5.56, 7.62. .300, .338, .50 to LICC and .338NM) 1 1900 DShK 12.7 100 10 Next Gen IW Capabilities List ● Extended Stand-off Range (=/> existing, emerging threats) ● Improved PID, pH (point target), pS (suppression) ALL ● Improved Speed of Target Engagement POSSIBLE TODAY WITH ● Improved Terminal Effects/pI (all ranges) A LICC IW! ● Reduced Load (Ammo, Weapon, Soldier Combat Load, Transport) ● Family of Weapons (Mission-Tailorable SCW through SDMR/IAR) ● Open Architecture (for varying missions/AO’s, UMNS response time) ● 24/7 Signature Reduction (Flash, Sound, Blast, Location) ● Reduced Cost Burdens & Response Times (Development, Procurement, Life-Cycle Sustainment) ● Commonality (training, parts, operation, enablers) ● Superior Function (Safety, Performance, Reduced Maintenance) 11 Incremental Advantages Waiting to be Exploited Safety • Cook-off =/> 270 rds. Reliability =/> 18,000 MRPF/S Mission/AO Tailorable • Barrel failure =/> 900 rds. • Quick-Change barrels, • OTB Capable (0 second drain time) Magnified Optic stocks, trigger groups • Sustained Fire Rate > 300 RPM with Laser Range • Caliber Convertible Finder and Ambi charging QC Cold Hammer Disturbed Reticle • Convertible Feed System handle, forward Forged & LW Super Op Rod Gas • Reduced life-cycle costs assist Alloy Barrels System User Tailorable Butt Stock System “Flow-thru” System weight Suppressors • =/< 2.8 kg (6.1 lbs.) “Negative w/ an 800m MER Safety Blank Footprint” • LW ammo (27-36%) Firing Adapter accessory “Centralized” Ambidextrous mounting points Same Advantages for pH = < 1 MOA (M-Lok, KeyMod Controls a BullpupThe “Ultimate Configuration” Incrementally PCAP’s) High Reliability Superior Bullpup Assault Rifle Safety Reliability =/> 18,000 MRPF/S Family of Modular Weapons & High Capacity • Cook-off =/> 270 rds. • Barrels Terminal Effects (“Lethality”) • Barrel failure =/> 900 rds. • Stocks, trigger groups • OTB Capable (0 seconds) • Calibers Ambi charging handle, ISM (IR laser, • Feed systems magazines/drums forward assist Reflex Sight) Op Rod Gas System * Reduced life cycle costs • “Blind to Barrier” projectiles Cold Hammer Forged Barrel System Weight SBFA • =/< 3.27 kg “Centralized” GP30 Grenade “Negative” footprint • “Intermediate Caliber” options Ambi (7.2 lbs.) (TAR-21) Launcher accessory mounting Maintenance controls points • LW ammunition pH = 2-3 MOA High reliability • Increased Terminal Effectiveness • 72% < operator cleaning magazine Lethality Maintenance • BTB projectiles • 72% less operator cleaning =/> 7.62mm NATO against unpro- • > 3X bolt service life • Medium caliber option • > 2X bolt service life • Increased MV (NLT 11%) • > 3X barrel service life • Increased ME • 2X receiver service life tected and protected point targets • > 3X barrel service life 31 out to 800 meters w/ 1/3 < recoil • 2X receiver service life 12 For the 140K “Front Liners” 800 m. LICC IW (.264 USA) Disturbed (w/o 24/7 Suppression) Reticle Sight 10.7 pounds CURRENT (March 2016) -10 -110 -210 -310 107gr 264 123gr 264 142gr 264 144gr 264 M118LR M80 LICC Cartridge + “Blind to Barrier” 800 m. Disturbed Reticle Sight Projectile = Overmatch ● +300m MER v. M4 ● > pH to 800m ● Improved pI/K Next Gen LICC IW ● Reduced Signature 24/7 (with 24/7 Suppression) ● Mission Tailorable (modular) 9.98 pounds 13 13 ALL NEXT GEN CAPABILITIES (Slide 11) Ready 1-3 Years Cartridge Comparison 0.75 0.8 5.45x39mm 0.7 (7N6 FMJ) O 0.6 0.5 u 5.56x45mm n 0.5 0.4 0.4 (M855A1 EPR) c 0.4 e 7.62x54mmR s 0.3 (7N1 Sniper FMJ) 0.2 LICC (.264 USA 0.1 OTM) 0 Cartridge Weight Left to Right -5.45x39mm 7N6 FMJ -5.56x45mm M855A1 EPR -7.62x54mmR 7N1 Sniper FMJ -LICC (.264 USA) Polymer 108 gr. OTM 14 Comparison of Cartridges USA vs. Threat vs. LICC Left to Right -5.45x39mm 7N6 FMJ -5.56x45mm M855A1 EPR -7.62x54mmR 7N1 Sniper FMJ -7.62x51mm US M80 Ball -LICC (.264 USA) Polymer 108 gr. OTM -LICC (.264 USA) Brass 108 gr. OTM Combat Load Comparison (Qty of Rounds at 5.25 lbs. Weight. US M4A1 Basic Load = 210 rounds) Caliber/ 5.45x39mm 5.56x45mm 7.62x54mmR .264 USA Poly Cartridge (53 gr. (62 gr. M855A1 (151 gr. 7N1 (6.5x48mm) 7N6 FMJ) EPR) Sniper FMJ) (108 gr. OTM) # of Rounds 210 210 112 168 98 120 # of Rounds (147 grain (108 gr. 7.62x51mm Brass Case)15 US M80 Ball) 15 System Weight (Weapon + Sight) 10.3 10.5 AK74 + ACOG 10 P US M4A1 + ACOG o 9.5 u 8.87 n 9 8.67 8.6 SVDS + PSO-1 d s 8.5 LICC IW (.264 USA) + DRS 8 7.5 System Weight(1) (Weapon + Sight) (1) Systems as defined on Slide 15 16 Comparison of Systems USA vs. Threat vs. LICC IW AK74M w/ ACOG(1)(2) 5.45x39mm SDVS w/ PSO-1(2) 7.62x54mmR 8.87 pounds. 16.3” bbl. 30-rd mag. 10.3 pounds. 22.2” bbl. 10-rd mag. (14.1 pounds with 210 rounds)(4) (20.8 pounds with 210 rounds)(4) US M4A1 w/ ACOG(2) 5.56x45mm LICC IW w/ DRS(3) 6.5x48mm LICC 8.67 pounds.