Developing Lighter and More Powerful Tactical Gear

As degenerative arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are becoming more prevalent in soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, lightening troops' loads has become a factor in creating new tactical gear. The weight of a soldier's load has increased tenfold since 2003 and resulted in multiple pervasive repercussions. According to a February 2010 Seattle Times piece titled "Weight of War: Gear that Protects Troops Also Injures Them," heavier loads reduces combat readiness, and between 2004 and 2007, one-third of all medical evaluations in Afghanistan and Iraq stemmed from musculoskeletal connective tissue or spinal injuries - double the amount of injuries from combat.
In March, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's tactical air and land forces panel, stated that the Army and Marine Corps need to consider alternative approaches for carrying gear and ammunition, as loads for soldiers can be as large as 145 pounds. While Rep. Bartlett drew attention to this growing concern, lighter but powerful tactical gear is being developed for soldiers as a response to it.
The XM806 lightweight.50 caliber machine gun is one such piece of gear. A successor to the M2, the XM806 is half the weight of its predecessor, and its recoil is reduced by 60 percent. The XM806 has a range of 2,000 meters - 170 more than the M2 - and also allows for quick barrel changes with no adjustments for head space and timing. While not currently fielded, the XM806 was scheduled to be in use by 2014, but a pierced primer resulted in more testing. The delay is projected to be 17 months, and the additional time allows for PEO Soldier Systems to develop a more reliable weapon.
The M224A1 60mm lightweight company mortar system has a similar set of qualities. 20-percent lighter than its predecessor, the M224A1 uses a nickel-based alloy for cannon tubes and keeps the same range. Considered more durable, the M224A1 requires less maintenance and is expected to replace all 1,550 mortar systems by 2014.
Ammunition, as well, is being developed with a similar set of properties. The M829E4 120mm Advanced Kinetic Energy tactical tank round is expected to be more accurate than previous tank ammunition but will not require additional force on behalf of soldiers. Although still in a developmental stage, the M829E4 round is being designed to have greater heavy armor defeat capabilities and to increase first shot lethality.
While being lighter and still powerful is the goal behind new or in-development tactical gear, equipment to carry a heavy load, such as the Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC), is also in the works. HULC would equip a soldier to lift 200 pounds of supplies, weapons, ammunition, or another person. Developed by Lockheed Martin in conjunction with Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center, HULC is a battery-powered exoskeleton with a built-in microcomputer and hydraulically-driven titanium legs, which align with a soldier's movements. For versatility and efficiency, HULC is adjustable without tools, conforms to the 95th percentile of men, and is sealed to keep out water and dust.
Lockheed Martin states that HULC "augments ability, strength, and endurance." More specifically, the device is capable of handling deep squats, crawls, and upper body lifting without a control mechanism. Sensing what the user wants to do or where to go, HULC is built to be used in all terrains and operates on battery power for extended missions.