Future soldier
An M240B medium machine gun mounted on top of an AAVP7A1 RAM/RS armoured assault vehicle.
improve their defences and resilience,” says a spokesperson for Nato’s allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM). “This is especially true for allied special forces, for whom access to the latest technological developments is a force multiplier. It significantly impacts their effectiveness in executing missions.”
Continuous investment in research, development and integration of cutting-edge technologies is crucial to maintaining a competitive advantage on the battlefield. Nations are investing in advanced technologies that allow special operation forces (SOF) to operate covertly and in support of other troops. “With the evolving security threats,” the SOFCOM representative adds, “we need to be forward-thinking in our innovation and work with industries to support advanced intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance platforms and other SOF activities.” Many of today’s technological advances are data- driven and aimed at improving situational awareness on the battlefield. Operators equally place greater emphasis on tactical communication systems, providing secure and resilient connectivity for special forces. Nevertheless, the key piece of equipment for any special forces operative is much more basic: it is their weapon.
10,000
The number of new L403A1 weapons that could be procured by British forces over the next ten years.
UK Ministry of Defence 22
Upgrading the light machine gun Even in the age of automated drone technology, where sophisticated solutions are enabling remote engagement with adversaries, small arms represent the foundation of any soldier’s kit. “Drones are among the most effective tools in modern warfare – they are remarkably effective, inexpensive and require minimal training and support,” notes SOFCOM. “They can, however, also have a paralysing effect on people and the sense of insecurity they create is a significant concern.”
It is no surprise, therefore, that the US military is in the process of developing a new machine gun, due to go live in 2026, alongside a range of advanced supporting systems to improve the accuracy, lethality and effectiveness of its special forces. Advances in technology, both in weapons and personal protection systems such as body armour, have compelled US forces to modernise their small arms, especially when China and other strategic competitors are busy equipping the US’s enemies on the battlefield. These fears are reflected by the US Army’s top brass, with Lt Col John Lancaster, programme manager for US SOCOM, wondering at last year’s SOF Week if “toe to toe with an enemy weapons system, does our weapons system outrange it? Is it more accurate? If you look at what we have on the battlefield right now, we can’t say that in every category.” With these challenges in mind, it’s no wonder that the Pentagon has developed a range of weapons for its special forces teams. US SOCOM’s new lightweight machine gun – medium, or LMG-M – is intended to fill a role between the current systems: the M240B (7.62x51mm) and the Browning M2 (.50cal). The M240B is a general-purpose machine gun that can be mounted on a bipod, tripod, aircraft or vehicle. It is belt-fed, air-cooled, gas-operated and fully automatic, and has proved effective in delivering medium support fires as a replacement for the ground-mounted M-60 series. The Browning M2, for its part, is an automatic, recoil-operated, air-cooled machine gun. Over short distances, it can be carried by troops alongside a limited amount of ammunition.
“Both of these systems are still effective and relevant,” SOCOM explains, “but we think that the LMG-M has the potential to deliver similar effects on target as the M2 heavy machine gun, albeit in the size and weight of the smaller M240B and with greater
Defence & Security Systems International /
www.defence-and-security.com
Glynnis Jones/
Shutterstock.com
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