It ’s not too often I get to dally with military - grade weapons system , and the military is usuallypretty waryabout reporter handling small-arm . But yesterday I traveled to Aberdeen Proving Ground , MD to see the latest improvement in soldier weaponry .
Reporters had the chance to test out a mountain chain of weapons , from the M4 Carbine to the M107 sniper rifle . It was also an opportunity for the Army to show off theXM25 airburst artillery . The XM25 is an advanced grenade rocket launcher that fires a impudent 25 mm round mechanically programmed to go off just above or behind its target area : The idea is to create a devasting , speck - accurate infantry weapon system that can stumble targets that are “ in defilade ” ( behind a wall , or dug into the ground ) .
This screenland snatch from a high - swiftness television camera picture the round detonate just inside a window aim . Brig . Gen. Peter Fuller , the head of PEO Soldier , tell reporters that the $ 30,000 artillery had already been deliver to the Special Forces and they “ go to be read it downrange this summertime . ”
The military service also showcased some less - deadly equipment . This is theCROWS remote arm station , outfitted with a nonlethal green optical maser . It ’s part of an “ escalation of personnel ” parcel the military field last month in Afghanistan .
Maj . Michael Pottratz , who made the tripper to Afghanistan last month to issue out the newfangled kit , told Danger Room the system had been install on different variation of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle . The idea is to prevent incidents like the recentdeadly bus topology shooting in Kandahar , where alignment forces run out to warn off an border on vehicle with a torch and flare , and then engaged the bus with gunshot , vote out several civilian .
Pottratz , who read he had try the dazzler on himself , said the gist of the green optical maser was “ precisely like looking at a very bright light , like a welding torch or the sun , for just a fraction of a indorsement . ”
At Aberdeen , we also got to adjudicate out the latest in dark - vision technology : The Enhanced Night Vision Goggle . This ghostly image is from the new night - vision monocular , which fuses an image - intensification range that amplify ambient light source and overlie it with an infrared ikon . It expands the reckon capableness to all light condition , and also simplifies the soldier ’s load .
Sgt . Christopher Shupe , who field - test the new goggle in Afghanistan , said the system also pop the question increased battery life , which mean fewer worries about swapping out or carrying extra batteries during an extended patrol . Sgt . First Class Lang Gureckis , who also tried it out in Afghanistan , said the system ’s range and resolution mean telling the conflict between combatants , and potentially unfriendly forces . “ you could see whether it ’s a guy with an AK-47 , or a guy cable with a blanket on his articulatio humeri , ” he say .
Because the equipment emits infrared spark , it can also be used for identifying well-disposed unit , especially in situations where detritus or fume obscure the battlefield .
The Army also showcased improvements to some old standbys , like the M2 .50 - bore machine torpedo . The Ma Deuce has been in service since 1933 . The Army has infix a quick - alteration barrel , which allows the crowd to swop out the barrel cursorily without having to go through the fourth dimension - consuming but essential exercise ofchecking headspace and timing .
In this video clip , operator on the left are swop out the barrel on a bequest M2 , using gauges to ensure that the new barrel is properly installed . In threatening combat , that practice could be several important minute .
The barrelful on the upgrade M2 , show here on the rightfulness , is is switch out in a matter of s . The operator – shown here – rapidly fires off a explosion while the squad on the left is still form .
Finally , the Army also bear witness off another shaft : The Modular Accessory Shotgun organisation , a neat - pull , bolt of lightning - activity 12 - calibre that can be used as a put up - alone weapon or as an under - barrel accessary on a rifle or carbine .
In gain to being a deadly close - quarters arm for clearing room , the scattergun can be used for gap door : It has an attachment on the muzzle that give the crap-shooter a precise three - inch shot for blasting the grip off of a room access .
[ PHOTOS AND TV : Nathan Hodge ]
Wired.com has been expanding the hive mind with technology , skill and geek refinement news since 1995 .
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