Future Force Warrior

[WARPIG]

Just wanted to bring up some new images and discussion about some of the emerging technology that is coming down the pipe.

I have come across a number of PDF docs with some great info about some of the equipment that soldiers will be sporting in the near future.

Body armor called SPIES or Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment System is being developed and is projected to be fielded in 2010. It is currently being nicked "the armor chassis" as it is basically the frame that the armor, load bearing, commo, hydration, and techno-framework will be carried. The helmet is a new design and a sort of "halo" is attached to allow for optics and "land warrior" hardware to be used. Even protective eyeware is integrated.

Here are some images. Note that the ACU pattern is not present.

[D-gin]

God I love the multicam. Thanks for the pics. :)

[BloodyTalon]

Very cool. Looks much, much better than the previous versions.

BTW: what is the likelyhood that the army will switch from ACU to Multicam since Crye has practically embraced it in FFW?

[WARPIG]

This PDF DOC gives some pretty good details on what some of the components are.
http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006cbip/castellani.pdf#search=%22Soldier%20Protection%20and%20Individual%20Equipment%20System%20%22

Uniform design looks cool. Tucked in shirt and integrated pads make a lot of sense. Also the modularity of the armor seems well thought out. Helmet looks cool but not so sure about the functionality of the halo. It just seems a bit awkward. Then again, the current NVD configuration isn't exactly ergonomic either.

[Greek soldier]

I thought the future soldier would look like the one on the left. Unless it is to be used after 2015.

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/375/futuresoldierof4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Almost an invicible soldier.

[WARPIG]

Very cool. Looks much, much better than the previous versions.

BTW: what is the likelyhood that the army will switch from ACU to Multicam since Crye has practically embraced it in FFW?

Logistics will be the key. ACU fielding has been a painful process because the new color scheme is new to everyone. Every vendor down to the textiles has had to acquire new colors to create the new uniform. Specifically the foilage green.
The new Multi-cam seems to work better than the ACUPAT and has a more practical color scheme. But by the time any of the FFW gear makes it to fielding.. the ACUPAT might not be as hard to find.

I hope the Multi-cam replaces our uniforms as well.

[WARPIG]

I thought the future soldier would look like the one on the left. Unless it is to be used after 2015.

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/375/futuresoldierof4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Almost an invicible soldier.

The Black Power Ranger is just a visual representaion of Concept technology that is being researched. It is actually called the "Future Concept Soldier" as far as know. Concepts include E-textile uniforms that not only act as conduit for commo and electronics on the soldier but to monitor vitals as well . Also, I have seen versions where a type of robotic leg harness is featured that are supposed to assist in load bearing as well as lesson fatigue.

[Greek soldier]

I see, thanx for the feedback. :)

[HoboWithAK]

Having a one piece chassis that has your armor and your kit is a bad idea. There are times when you need the armor, but don't want or need to carry around the kit. For example, during downtime around the camp or FOB. It takes time to unhook all that **** and then put it back on, so you'll mostly see soldiers who would either not wear any of it, or wear it all 24/7. I'll guarantee you that wearing your battle rattle 24/7 will get old after the first few days.

[WARPIG]

Having a one piece chassis that has your armor and your kit is a bad idea. There are times when you need the armor, but don't want or need to carry around the kit. For example, during downtime around the camp or FOB. It takes time to unhook all that **** and then put it back on, so you'll mostly see soldiers who would either not wear any of it, or wear it all 24/7. I'll guarantee you that wearing your battle rattle 24/7 will get old after the first few days.


Good point. Not much of a change from the kit we use now though. Many people I know prefer the Blackhawk "Rack" system even though the kit is a little bit harder to donn and doff than the IBA/OTV system.

Right now the most recent testing shows that the load bearing/armor system is definately an improvement, but the integration of the electronics is still a bit buggy. Some minor issues with the uniform weight, integrated knee pads, sizing and placement of components are still being worked.

Dump bags are being requested as well as "wolf sling" like weapon attachments.

The only big weakness I see with this uniform is much like the ACU fielding. Use in combat is the focus of the testing and the practical use outside the combat zone is not looked at. For instance the ACU sucks in cooler climates and snivle gear is still in development. The biggest complaints of the ACUs are focused on how the uniform looks when not wearing battle rattle. The FFW kit and uniform will likely suffer similar complaints. I for one am ok with it. If it functions well in the combat zone but isn't completely practical in garrison.. I can live with that.

[Hippo]

i thought that soldiers already mount their pouches onto their IBA and not onto the FLC so they would be used to having a one piece chasis?

[TacoDelRio]

Seems like most of the Multicam BDU's out there are made out of the same material as winter BDU's. Traping heat, taking longer to dry,not as durable, etc.

The wolf sling would be a SOB Wolf hook, a single point sling. Not too bad. I bought one a couple years ago at a PX, and I don't like it as much as lower-profile designs, It clacks around a bit too much. Hopefully Natick has all that covered.

Thanks for the update Warpig.

[Sir Zach of R.]

Seems like most of the Multicam BDU's out there are made out of the same material as winter BDU's. Traping heat, taking longer to dry,not as durable, etc.

I think you better do your research before making such claims...

http://www.cryeprecision.com/product1.asp?P=NTH

http://www.cryeprecision.com/product1.asp?P=UTL

[TacoDelRio]

I think you better do your research before making such claims...

http://www.cryeprecision.com/product1.asp?P=NTH

http://www.cryeprecision.com/product1.asp?P=UTL

My apologies, dear sir...

"I" have not yet seen/experienced/heard of NYCO style multicam until you posted that link. And for damn near $400 a set for their clothes, research my ass! rofl

[Sir Zach of R.]

Hey no worries. I think Crye themselves have even acknowledged that their uniform is thicker than others. www.militarymorons.com (http://www.militarymorons.com) has some good reviews of Multicam if anyone wants to check it out.

[TacoDelRio]

ALOT of my buddies wear it (Oh noes, airsoft!), and their material has always been winter BDU-type, whatever the hell it is, cotton something I dunno, the kind that doesn't have them neat little square patterns on it and ****. That type seems to rip alot, from what they've shown me.

[akmarksman]

as long as they don't use that stupid 4 barrel pea shooter..I saw some movies on the FFW concept..and I'd stick with a M16A3/4(with a 20" barrel) and some MARPAT..that's just my opinion.

[ABNINF]

Anything that makes the body armor lighter and better fitting will be welcome change

[Vandervahn]

as long as they don't use that stupid 4 barrel pea shooter..I saw some movies on the FFW concept..and I'd stick with a M16A3/4(with a 20" barrel) and some MARPAT..that's just my opinion.

...an opinion resulting in zero development of the forces. To have some real improvement, you HAVE to go two steps forward and then settle on a product one step back again. Thats the only way to survive military decisionmaking. Who knows, maybe there WILL be a revolutionary development making this 4-barrel peashooter the deadliest weapon ever?

[vajt]

[quote=WARPIG;1860593]This PDF DOC gives some pretty good details on what some of the components are.
http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006cbip/castellani.pdf#search=%22Soldier%20Protection%20and%20Individual%20Equipment%20System%20%22
quote]

Nice link. Would be nice if they reveal the outcome of the camo tests mentioned in slide 5. Also, on slide 13 you can see what the new prototype helmet looks from the side.

-----JT-----