The U.S. Army is in the process of equipping its soldiers with advanced high-tech gear aimed at enhancing their combat effectiveness and survivability, focusing particularly on close-quarters combat.
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Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS): This advanced system provides soldiers with augmented reality (AR) capabilities, enhancing situational awareness. It allows soldiers to see through walls, locate friendly and enemy forces, and share critical battlefield information in real-time.
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Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW): The Army is introducing new rifles and automatic weapons designed to offer greater lethality and accuracy. This includes the M4 and M249 replacements, aimed at improving firepower and soldier effectiveness.
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Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular (ENVG-B): This technology significantly improves night operations by providing soldiers with clear vision in total darkness, merging thermal imaging with traditional night vision.
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Black Hornet Drones: These mini drones, known as Soldier Borne Sensors, help in reconnaissance by providing aerial views from a small, nearly silent platform, reducing the risk to soldiers by gathering intelligence from a safe distance.
Beyond weaponry and vision systems, the Army is also modernizing protective gear and support systems.
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JETS II: Building on the Joint Effects Targeting System, JETS II aims to further reduce the size of the equipment, enhancing the mobility and operational capacity of soldiers by integrating digital tools into their gear seamlessly.
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Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) Program: Expanding beyond combat brigades, this program now targets all soldiers, focusing on physical, spiritual, mental, sleep, and nutrition domains to enhance overall soldier readiness and health.
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Battery and Power Integration: The Army is tackling the issue of varying battery types for military equipment by exploring commercial options for a universal power hub, aiming to streamline power management for soldiers.
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Technological Integration and Training: The Army is not just equipping soldiers with new tech but also training them in “techcraft,” ensuring they can maintain and use these high-tech tools effectively, reflecting a shift towards a more tech-savvy military force.
All of this is proof of the Army’s push towards integrating cutting-edge technology to maintain a combat edge, focusing on lethality, situational awareness and health.
