PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J.(May 19, 2016)--To increase Soldier accuracy when engaging targets, a team of West Point cadets is looking at two innovative components to reduce the recoil and muzzle climb of the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. The team was supported by two subject matter experts from Picatinny's Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, assisting with indoor range testing and prototype manufacturing.
The team of cadets said the new design had several advantages for the warfighter:
• More effective weapon system--Soldiers' lives saved, increased mission success.
• Requires no modification to current M249 short barrel.
• Tailored solution--operators choose barrel to fit mission.
• Low cost.
For its efforts, the team of cadets was awarded first place out of 12 entries at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies Soldier Design Competition, held on May 4.
The design competition was established in 2003 to engage undergraduate students from MIT in the activities of the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies. In 2004, it was expanded to include cadets from the United States Military Academy.
The cadet team consists of Cameron Hargis, Ryan Meyer, and Drury Milke. They worked with Picatinny engineers Adam Foltz and Frank Battersby, who are with ARDEC's Individual and Crew Served Weapons Branches. West Point instructors, Maj. Brodie Hoyer and Lt. Col. Richard J. Gash, served as academic advisors.
"We were impressed by the tenacity and professionalism of the cadets as they pursued a goal that they knew would greatly benefit the warfighter," Foltz said.
To reduce the recoil and muzzle climb of the M249 machine gun, the overall system would incorporate two components:
• Muzzle Brake/Compensator: Designed to disperse gases in a direction that creates a downward force to reduce the muzzle climb and the force felt by the user.
• Recoil Pad: Created to dissipate the force felt by the user and increase comfort on the shoulder.
TESTING:
From November to April, five separate ranges were conducted to measure pitch, recoil force, sound data, and gas dispersion. Force and pitch data were measured using a state-of-the-art test stand for both single- and five-round bursts. Sound data was measured using decibel readers at seven locations surrounding the weapon. At the Maneuver Battle Lab, shot-group dispersion was measured at 10 meters with and without the system. The testers also provided qualitative feedback.
SURVEY FEEDBACK:
All of the Soldiers agreed the overall control and accuracy of the weapon system "significantly improved" with the recoil pad, muzzle brake/compensator system compared to the standard M249.
"This system is awesome," commented one gunner. "The recoil reduction and accuracy increase is hands-down better than any system I've seen so far."
Another team leader agreed, saying "The weapon is more balanced, accurate and comfortable to shoot." But he was concerned about "the effect this system will have on [his] hearing long term."
The Soldiers all agreed that the recoil-reduction system made the weapon system "louder," but would use it due to the increased accuracy, and even asked how soon it could be fielded operationally.
In its research the cadet team acknowledge the potential for hearing damage. The muzzle brake is 13dB louder on the user, but 4dB quieter downrange.
"These sound profile changes must be weighed as a tradeoff for increases in accuracy," the team said.
FUTURE BENEFITS:
"The solutions developed have the potential to directly influence the development of future requirements for next generation weapon systems that address current capability gaps," said Battersby, the Picatinny engineer.
Along with its advisory role, ARDEC provided developmental support during the design process, including modeling, fabrication, testing, and data analysis. Patent disclosures have been filed through the ARDEC legal office. In addition to its first place win at the MIT design competition, the team of cadets were also awarded the "The Scott R. Clark (USMA 1985) Innovation for Soldiers Award."
PAST SUPPORT:
In 2015, Foltz and Battersby also supported a group of cadets in the development of a suppressor design with signature reduction and novel blowback mitigation. That team was also awarded first place at the Soldier Design Contest.
"The success over the last two years has demonstrated the value of the USMA-ARDEC collaboration," Battersby said.
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The U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to ensure decisive overmatch for unified land operations to empower the Army, the joint warfighter and our nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
Related Links:
U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
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