“These aren’t trivial numbers,” Flynn said. “In fact, they are very significant. So we are keen on this program, as we have been for years. It continues to have momentum. We’re looking to really ‘get it over the hump’ and our goal is to get it to a JCTD [Joint Concept Technology Demonstration].”

Other interest areas noted by Flynn included advanced fire control technology for small arms and advanced lethal armament technologies.

Flynn completed his overview by noting that JSSAST efforts between now and the next formal meeting in November 2009 would include continuation of an ongoing operational awareness campaign, continued development of an LSAT transition strategy, and updates to two “living” documents: the Joint Service Small Arms Master Plan (JSSAMP) and the Joint Small Arms Capabilities Assessment (JSACA).

The JSSAMP was initially approved in 1995, with several revisions to the document since that time. Following its upcoming 2009 revision, it is anticipated that the new version will receive full approval in 2010. In general, goals of the new revision are expected to include improved terminal effects against a variety of targets, together with additional capability, improved survivability, and enhanced sustainability. In addition, the overarching desire for lighter weight systems is anticipated.

JSSAST descriptions note that the JSACA analyses “effectively support the assessment of Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership [and Education], Personnel and Facilities (DOTMLPF) or result in the preparation of Initial Capabilities Documents, Capability Development Documents, and Capability Production Documents for small arms programs.”

After sketching the six-month road map, Flynn turned over the podium to team members to highlight the small arms activities now taking place within their individual services.

JSSAST member Col. Andrew Bianca, program manager for Infantry Weapons at Marine Corps Systems Command, identified several current Marine Corps small arms efforts, including the Infantry Automatic Rifle, Multi-Shot Grenade Launcher, M40A5 Sniper Rifle Modular Stock, Scout Sniper Ballistic Computer, and M16A4 Collapsible Buttstock.

“The first thing we’ve got going is the Infantry Automatic Rifle,” Bianca said. “The idea for an automatic rifle in the infantry came from some work done in the 1st Marine Division back in 2001-2002. The idea of this weapon is not to replace the SAW across the board, but to replace it in the infantry platoon. The idea is to give a little more maneuverability and speed to the fire team.

“The other thing we are finding out from the testing we have done so far is that we can almost quadruple our accuracy at long range,” he said. “So, not only are we getting a lighter weapon that’s better in ‘the urban canyon’ when you’re kicking down doors, but it also [is] better at long ranges in terms of actually hitting a target.

“That’s moving right along. We’re in the process of assessing four candidate systems and we should have a decision some time in the fall,” he said.

The Marine Corps also released a request for proposals earlier this year for a new multi-shot grenade launcher.

“We currently have a multi-shot grenade launcher that’s fielded,” Bianca noted. “It’s the M32. It was done under an Urgent UNS [universal need statement] and it has been extremely successful in terms of giving the infantry platoon an awful lot of firepower in the hands of a guy that’s moving around. That was so successful that we have gone to a program of record and we should be looking at starting testing on that this summer [2009] and making a decision later in this fiscal year.”

Acknowledging that the “A5” suffix signifies that “the M40 has been around forever,” he noted that the latest designation marked the addition of a muzzle brake and suppressor on the end of the rifle.

“It didn’t drop any accuracy when we did it and we got an increase in capability,” he said. “It’s still a wonderful weapon. We are going to continue to improve it and eventually replace it, but [the A5] is just now going into production.