Soldier Lethality Advanced Technology

The Soldier Lethality Advanced Technology program is a comprehensive Army research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on maturing and demonstrating advanced technologies to enhance Soldier operational performance. The overarching goals are to increase lethality, mobility, protection, and situational awareness for Soldiers and small units across a range of operational environments. This program supports Army modernization priorities and aligns with Department of Defense (DoD) science and technology focus areas, aiming to provide technological overmatch against current and emerging threats.

AY5: Soldier Squad Small Arms Armaments Advanced Tech is dedicated to advancing individual and crew-served weapon systems, including small arms and medium machine guns. Managed by the Joint Service Small Arms Program (JSSAP), this project focuses on optimizing weapon and ammunition prototypes, integrating signature reduction devices, and enhancing automated target recognition and engagement technologies. The goal is to validate and demonstrate improved small arms system performance, reduce system weight, and ensure readiness for future operational scenarios.

AY9: Body Armor & Integrated Headborne Advanced Tech seeks to reduce the weight and increase the protective capabilities of personal armor, helmets, and integrated headborne systems. The project aims to validate universal power and data interfaces for helmets, exploit novel ballistic materials, and integrate advanced eye and hearing protection. These efforts are intended to enhance survivability, reduce Soldier burden, and enable the seamless integration of emerging technologies into protective equipment.

BC9: Advanced Soldier Sensors/Displays Advanced Tech for Dismounts focuses on maturing digital sensor systems and heads-up displays to improve situational awareness and targeting for dismounted Soldiers. This includes integrating automated threat cueing, optimizing sensor configurations for unmanned aerial platforms, and improving covert target engagement capabilities. The objective is to provide real-time, actionable information to Soldiers, thereby reducing response times and decreasing the risk of fratricide.

BC1: Human Performance Advanced Tech for Mobility & Lethality develops and validates human performance models, wearable sensors, and data analytics to optimize Soldier and small unit effectiveness. This project collaborates with operational units to refine performance prediction models, integrate real-time data from wearables, and assess the impact of equipment on mobility, lethality, and survivability. The goal is to inform acquisition decisions and training strategies that maximize combat effectiveness.

BC8: Training Advanced Technology (Other than STE) and BE9: STE Advanced Technology both address advanced training environments. BC8 advances live and synthetic training technologies, including spatial phase imaging sensors, cyberspace effects models, and high-fidelity digital terrain for live training. BE9 supports the Army's Synthetic Training Environment (STE), focusing on tools for adaptive training, after-action review, and global synthetic terrain. These efforts aim to provide realistic, scalable, and flexible training solutions to prepare Soldiers for multi-domain operations.

BB3: Dismounted Soldier Survivability Equip/Tech Integration and BE5: Personnel & Airdrop Safety Advanced Technology are aimed at improving Soldier survivability and operational logistics. BB3 integrates multifunctional protective materials, load management systems, and water purification technologies to reduce Soldier burden and enhance protection against environmental and combat threats. BE5 advances precision aerial delivery and personnel safety technologies, such as autonomous resupply systems and improved parachute designs, to support rapid force projection and reduce vulnerability during resupply and insertion operations.

BE2: Joint Service Combat Feeding Advanced Technology matures and demonstrates combat ration and field feeding solutions to optimize Warfighter performance, reduce exposure to contaminants, and minimize logistical burdens. The project explores alternative protein sources, packaging reduction, and rapid water decontamination technologies to support extended operations without resupply.

BS8: Soldier Lethality Advanced Technology (Congressional Interest Items) includes targeted congressional adds such as advanced female body armor, inspection scanners with machine learning, military footwear research, personal air mobility capabilities, squad operations advanced resupply, enhanced head protection, and foundational models for generative AI. These initiatives address specific capability gaps identified by Congress and stakeholders, further supporting efforts to improve Soldier lethality, protection, and sustainment.