The Lightweight Small Arms Technologies (LSAT) program is funded by the U.S. Joint Service Small Arms Program, with the goal of significantly reducing the weight of small arms and their ammunition. Following a series of military programs to investigate advances in small arms (the SPIW program, the Future Rifle Program, the ACR program, and the OICW program), the LSAT program is the US Military's latest project to replace existing US small arms. Tactical concepts and the research from the previous small arms programs indicates that lightening small arms is only the first significant step in small arms design towards increasing soldiers' lethality and survivability.
Initiated in 2004 (then called the Lightweight Machine Gun and Ammunition program), development is now made by a team of eight companies led by AAI Corporation. Development began with the two types of weight reducing ammunition, and a light machine gun to serve as a testbed and technology demonstrator. Minimization of program risk is shown by the development of the lower performing but less risky polymer-cased ammunition alongside caseless ammunition (which falls higher in both criteria), by the use of extensive computer simulations before prototyping, and by the use of existing and proven technologies, such as the HITP (High Ignition Temperature Propellant)—developed for Heckler & Koch's G11.
As of 2008, the program has achieved tremendous progress, with already operational prototypes for the polymer-cased ammunition and the LMG that fires it. The less orthodox caseless ammunition is less than a year behind, and the design of a rifle firing both types of ammunition has already begun. The designers project further developments. These include improved projectile technologies, such as greener bullets and a more lethal caliber, as well as the use of electronics, such as rounds counters, and lasers for sighting, target acquisition, and steering. After further research and development into both ammunition types and the platforms that fire them, one of the two shall be chosen for production.
Read more about Lightweight Small Arms Technologies: Program Background, Program Beginning, Program Achievements
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