IDGA: MARCORSYSCOM's Equipment Demonstration and Future Capabilities

Advances in US Marine Corps soldier systems demonstrated to show better soldier protection
IDGA ~ September 18, 2009,
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The United States Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) recently hosted a media day held at their Gruntworks Testing Facility to demonstrate the monumental improvements made in Marine Infantry Equipment. The Marine Corps are leading the fight having taken great consideration into all of the systems employed by infantrymen on the ground.
From top to bottom advancements in protection, uniforms and cutting edge technology are now fielding at advanced rates which have never been seen in US Military procurement. The Marine Corps demonstration proved that feedback from troops on the ground are reaching senior leaders, making critical decisions on life essential equipment.
Body Armor
The Marines who led the initial push into Iraq in 2003 wore Individual Body Armor (IBA) without the protective ceramic plate inserts known as Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPI). Marines now deploying to Afghanistan have a choice between two types of body armor, both featuring the Enhanced SAPI plates (ESAPI). The Modular Tactical Vest features protective plates for the front and back of a Marine as well as side protection thru the side SAPI inserts. The Modular Tactical Vest (MTV) and Scalable Plate Carrier are both being fielded and deployed with Marines in Afghanistan and are giving the commanders on the ground the option to modify and adjust to the tactical threat given the operating environment. The newer vests are also modular in design which enables the Marine to modify how he or she mounts all ammo pouches, radios and other critical items on their individual vest. According to Lt. Col AJ Pasagian, Program Manager for Infantry Combat Equipment (PM ICE) at MARCORSYSCOM, the advances in the vests have provided more area protection against direct fire and rifle ballistics. The Marine Corps are also currently in source selection for the Improved Modular Tactical Vest (IMTV) which is a government owned design which has been tried and tested by Marines. The IMTV will enable Marines to egress out of the vest in an emergency which will also provide the Navy Corpsman the ability to treat combat related injuries while still protecting the injured Marine.
Footwear
Danner rugged all terrain boots with a 2 year life expectancy are being fielded to Marines deploying to Afghanistan, doubling past life cycles for combat boots. These newly designed boots provides a wider more stable base to assume and control the greater combat load operating in Afghanistan according to Lt. Col Pasagian. The standards have been pushed out to the military boot industry to provide a much needed advancement in protection of a Marine’s feet. The solicitation will be going out to the entire industry for an improved boot and in FY 2011 it is expected to be fielded to both active duty and reserve components, to be competed openly to all industry vendors.
Helmets
MARCORSYSCOM has also teamed up with PEO Soldier in the sourcing and procurement of the Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH). The ECH will be the next generation helmet designed again to provide the best protection against direct fire and fragmentation. The current helmet; Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) is fielded across the board in the Army and Marine Corps. While a monumental improvement to the PASSGT or Kevlar which had been used for decades the advances in design and overall weight and comfort have been proven in thousands of contact reports and those Soldiers and Marines who survived them.
Night Vision
Night Vision Devices are considered by most as one of the greatest combat multipliers given to a Soldier and Marine. The PVS-14s which are currently fielded are a lightweight, monocular night vision device which features an adjustable brightness which lowers the intensity given differing environments. The PVS-14 is much smaller and lighter than the previous PVS-7 series which were binocular. MARCORSYSCOM hope to have every Marine assigned to a ground combat element to deploy with a PVS-14 series NVG to give them the edge at night.
The M-16 Rifle
The ability to reach out and touch the enemy when needed is the biggest tool in a Marine arsenal. The M-16 A4 is a large improvement over the M-16 A-2 which deployed in the initial invasion of Iraq. The A-4 provides Marines the modularity being seen across the board with other systems and enables the weapon to be modified and combined with multiple optical and laser systems. . The RCO is a fixed optical aiming sight which provides increased range and target identification to the rifleman mounts on the MIL-STD-1913 rail systems on top of the weapons. The introduction of the Individual Weapons Sight (IWNS-12) enables targeting and acquisition to the Marine riflemen, who can own any nighttime environment. In addition to the thermal systems is the laser aiming devices the PEQ-16A. The PEQ enables Marines and Soldiers engaged at night to accurately direct friendly small arms fire, indirect fire and even close air support at given illuminated targets without giving away friendly positions.
These multiple advancements in fighting systems have given the Marine Corps the needed edge in the Global War on Terror (GWOT). With ongoing combat operations supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, the improvements and changes made in Infantry equipment have trickled down to support elements on all fronts. Changes made on weapons systems, clothing, body armor, optics, night vision and helmets have paved the way for protecting future generations of Marines who are at the tip of the spear in protecting national security interests of the United States and allied nations. Hats are off to Marine Corps Systems Command for a job well done in helping to save Marine lives fighting downrange and give them the cutting edge technologies as quickly as possible to combat terrorism and conduct counter insurgency operations worldwide.
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Contact:
IQPC
Natalie Evans
T: +44-207-368-9338
Natalie.evans@iqpc.co.uk