Infantry Support Weapons

Infantry Support Weapons is an Army Research, Development, Test & Evaluation program element under appropriation 2040, Budget Activity 5, System Development and Demonstration. Its engineering and manufacturing development work treats the Soldier as a system: it develops and tests weapons, clothing, protective equipment, and other prototypes to improve combat effectiveness, survivability, and quality of life. The FY 2027 request supports distinct integration, mobility, airdrop, weapons, aviation, and protection efforts. Its reported increase over the previous President's Budget reflects that the FY 2026 request did not include out-year funding.

Integrated Soldier Systems (CF3) uses the Adaptive Squad Architecture (ASA) and Soldier Integration Facility (SIF) to evaluate interoperability and manage Soldier-and-squad equipment configurations. In FY 2027, it will improve formation-based digital architectures, provide a shared virtual collaboration environment, and conduct physical team- and squad-scale integration events. Work connects Soldier Borne Mission Command, Nett Warrior, and Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) with sensors and robotics, while developing common controllers and dismounted command-and-control links to Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) and Uncrewed Vehicle Control (UVC). SIF evaluations also address signature, power, resupply, and combat-power modeling.

Arctic Mobility Sustainment System (DO4) is a FY 2027 new start for a dismounted, over-snow kit comprising a transport sled, shelter, heater, and basic issue items in squad and team configurations. It is intended to provide load carriage, billeting, and heat for 72 hours without resupply. The Army validated its requirement in December 2024; FY 2027 work will use operational and integrated testing to establish a standard configuration from commercial off-the-shelf equipment. The schedule calls for a preliminary design and test-readiness reviews in FY 2027, testing into FY 2028, and first unit equipped in the first quarter of FY 2029.

Advanced Tactical Parachute System (ES9) improves low- and high-altitude personnel insertion, parachutist safety, and equipment durability while supporting cross-service commonality. FY 2027 work will complete operational testing of T-11 Cross Corner Inversion modifications and developmental and operational testing of the Parachutist Emergency Release System. It will begin developmental testing of the Parachutist Oxygen Delivery System and Static Line Automatic Activation Device. Increased testing of the oxygen system principally drives the requested-year increase.

Crew Served Weapons Engineering Development (EW4) transitions promising components into engineering development for weapons up to 40 millimeters and remote weapon stations. FY 2027 activities characterize light, medium, and heavy machine guns, validate requirements, improve barrel life, and evaluate technologies relevant to the Future Medium Machine Gun. They also include integrating the planned XM101 40mm High Explosive Dual Purpose Air Burst programmer and improving remote-station hardware and software for counter-unmanned aerial system engagements, sensors, targeting, and networking. More mature items will be purchased and tested to inform requirements.

Small Arms Fire Control (FF2) develops modular, open-architecture devices combining variable-power direct-view optics, range finding, ballistic calculation, and an adjusted-aim-point display to increase hit probability and shorten engagement time. In FY 2027, the Army will complete final thermal-module hardware, continue passive targeting and full-color displays, and develop networked integration with Soldier-worn equipment. Work toward Generation 4 fire control includes artificial intelligence and machine learning for target detection and tracking while reducing size, weight, and power. Technical, cybersecurity, Soldier Touch Point, and Soldier-in-the-loop thermal testing increase; the Next Generation Squad Weapons Fire Control acquisition is planned to transition to Major Capability Acquisition in FY 2027.

Next Generation Squad Weapons (FM4) continues improvements to the M7 rifle, XM8 carbine, M250 automatic rifle, and their common family of 6.8mm ammunition. The M7/XM8 are planned replacements for the M4A1 in close-combat and selected support units; the M250 is planned to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, with improvements in accuracy, range, and lethality. Following competitive prototyping and a production selection of SIG Sauer, FY 2027 development responds to Soldier feedback on charging handles, signature suppression, higher-capacity magazines, an improved bipod, and a shorter M250 barrel. Government engineering, operational evaluations, and testing of improvements continue.

Soldier Enhancement Program (S58), established under the FY 1990 National Defense Authorization Act, uses a "buy, try and decide" process to assess commercial, government, and non-developmental items rapidly. Soldier and industry proposals are reviewed monthly, with new initiatives approved semiannually by the Army's Senior Enlisted Council. FY 2027 funding supports product assessments, safety confirmations, Soldier evaluations, documentation, and program oversight, although fewer evaluations are planned than in FY 2026. Results can inform requirements, create or improve a program of record, enable unit procurement through a national stock number, or end consideration of an item.

Clothing & Equipment (S60) develops and operationally evaluates integrated clothing, footwear, and individual equipment for varied climates. FY 2027 uniform work examines moisture management, flame resistance, antimicrobial treatments, arctic and jungle performance, and multispectral signature reduction; it also evaluates alternatives to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and continues Army Uniform Board-directed clothing-bag upgrades. Separately, individual-equipment work tests water purification against toxic industrial chemicals and materials, expands hydration testing to include live agents, and adapts load carriage to evolving weapons and specialized equipment. Both efforts seek commonality across the Services.

Acis Engineering Development (S61) advances the Air Soldier System, whose initial aircraft-mounted hardware and helmet-display capabilities received Milestone C approval in 2019. FY 2027 work integrates Nett Warrior Aviation with Common Operating Environment capability drops, Transformation in Contact, and NGC2 while developing interoperable hardware and software under Army Aviation's Modular Open System Architecture. Enhancements address digital mission information, situational awareness, safety, lethality, and long-duration high-altitude operations. Future-platform integration extends these capabilities beyond the enduring helicopter fleet.

Individual Weapons Engineering Development (S63) moves components from the Army's advanced-development Small Arms Improvement effort and other sources toward tested operational capability. FY 2027 design and evaluation span pistols, rifles, grenade launchers, combat optics, and ammunition, with emphasis on Soldier feedback, on-target effects, reliability, sustainability, and producibility. Testing also considers commercial systems against emerging requirements, including counter-unmanned aerial capabilities. Successful items can proceed through type classification and materiel release toward production or modification programs.

Soldier Protective Equipment (VS5) develops production-representative personal protective equipment, including vital-torso and extremity armor, integrated head protection, eyewear, and hearing protection. FY 2027 work will field-test next-generation armor and helmets, assess advanced materials and composites against emerging ballistic threats, refine blunt-trauma injury criteria and padding, and reduce system mass without sacrificing mobility. Improved testing, gear integration, and lifecycle assessment are intended to lower injury risk and support sustainment decisions. The program element also describes the Personnel Recovery Support System (S70), which addresses secure location of isolated Soldiers in GPS-denied environments, and 84mm MAAWS Ammunition (FL8), which supports testing and qualification of munitions for the M3/M3A1 weapon system; neither is listed with FY 2027 funding in this exhibit.