US Army developing Third Arm for soldiers
The US Army Research Laboratory is developing a ‘Third Arm’ to help reduce the burden of heavy weapons on soldiers.
The prototype device, which weighs less than 4lbs, is made of composite materials and requires no batteries. It takes the weight of the weapon from the solider's arms and evenly distributes the load while retaining the wearer’s range of motion. This includes allowing the user to go into the prone position.
The system has been tested with the M249 and M240B machines guns. A 2017 pilot study of active-duty troops using Third Arm in live-fire trials showed the device can improve marksmanship, reduce arm fatigue and muscle activation for some soldiers.
ARL Mechanical engineer Dan Baechle, said: ‘The M240B weighs 27 pounds, and we were able to show that you can take the weight of that weapon completely off of the soldiers' arms.
‘What we have right now is a very specific device, but we can learn from that device. I hope in the future what we'll end up with is something that will help the soldier. Whether or not it's in the form you see today, that's less important.’
More from Land Warfare
-
![Borsuk IFV programme marks turning point for Poland’s armoured modernisation]()
Borsuk IFV programme marks turning point for Poland’s armoured modernisation
The Borsuk vehicles are to replace the Soviet-designed BMP-1 as the Polish military’s main tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).
-
![DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract]()
DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract
The package of three standalone follow-on contracts makes this the largest contract won by the Australian company and larger than its total 2024 revenue.
-
![Patria completes test firing of new self-propelled gun as demand for systems grows]()
Patria completes test firing of new self-propelled gun as demand for systems grows
Patria quotes a maximum rate of fire of eight rounds a minute from the new ARVE (ARtillery on VEhicle) self-propelled gun with a range of 40km for an assisted round. The rapid, low-risk development is designed to meet emerging requirements which have arisen out of the Ukraine war.
-
![The power of partnership: GDMS–UK deepens cooperation with the British Army]()
The power of partnership: GDMS–UK deepens cooperation with the British Army
In Conversation: Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to General Dynamics Mission Systems–United Kingdom’s Chris Burrows about how the company's UK TacCIS business is reshaping battlefield communications through sustained customer engagement, accelerated innovation and ecosystem collaboration.
-
![Sweden to purchase IRIS-T air defence systems for $930 million]()
Sweden to purchase IRIS-T air defence systems for $930 million
This recent purchase of the medium-range air defence system adds to the country’s ongoing efforts to ramp up its overall defence readiness and capabilities.
