The U.S. Marines announced the start of a rollout Wednesday of over 30,000 small-arms suppressors, used to reduce a weapon's recoil, noise and flash.

The first 13,700 devices, which attach to the barrels of M27, M4 and M4A1 rifles, were fielded to infantry, reconnaissance and special operation units at Camp Lejuene, N.C., this week.

The complete release of suppressors is expected by Fiscal Year 2023.

"We've never fielded suppressors at this scale," said Maj. Mike Brisker, Marine Corps System Command's program manager for infantry weapons at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. "This fielding is a big moment for the Marine Corps."

The suppressors muffle a weapon's "audio and visual signature" on the battlefield, making it more difficult for an enemy to locate the shooter. Reducing noise during armed combat also helps small units to better communicate.

"The most important thing the suppressor does is allow for better inter-squad, inter-platoon communication," said CWO David Tomlinson, MCSC's infantry weapons officer. "It allows the operators to communicate laterally up and down the line during a firefight."

Decreasing noise around combat units will also help Marines to maintain their hearing.

"In the big picture, the [Department of Veterans Affairs] pays out a lot in hearing loss claims," Brisker said. "We'd like Marines to be able to continue to hear for many years even after they leave the service. These suppressors have that benefit as well."

Related Links
The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Tyndall AFB in Florida conducts Weapon System Evaluation Program
Washington DC (UPI) Dec 28, 2020
An 11-day Weapons System Evaluation Program event ended successfully at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., the Air Force announced. The WSEP, conducted regularly, evaluates air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons systems, with an emphasis on missile firing and combat skills, according to Air Force officials. Tyndall's 43rd Fighter Squadron, and the U.S. Navy's Strike Fighter Squadrons 11, 34, 81, and 211 of Carrier Air Wing One, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., participated in the evaluat ... read more