“Third hand” to help soldiers to shoot more accurately

“Third hand” to help soldiers to shoot more accurately

A mechanical device will reduce the load on the hands of the fighters.

Research laboratory of the U.S. Army began testing a “third hand” — a mechanical device that one end attaches to the belt of the soldier and the rifle. As the Defence Talk, such a device will allow soldiers to accurately aim, to increase the accuracy of fire or, if necessary, to free his hands.

Military rifles have a relatively large mass. For example, the curb weight of the machine M4 used by the U.S. Army, is 3.4 kilograms. During combat operations the hands of soldiers quickly tire to hold the weight of such weapons. In addition, soldiers may need to defer the weapon to the side to, for example, to inspect any object.

In the Research laboratory of the US Army believe that the “third hand” will greatly facilitate the soldiers carrying and aiming rifles. The mass of the device is made of CFRP is approximately 1.4 kg. It is a flexible arm with swivel gimbal for small arms.

The fighter can set the rifle on the suspension, and then put it on the right level. After that, he can, for example, to let go — the bracket is to hold the weapon. In case of danger, the fighter will have to raise their hands to take up the rifle and open fire. During the shooting of the bracket will somewhat dampen recoil, increasing accuracy.

The third arm are designed to hold weapons weighing up to nine pounds.

The prototype device is adapted only to the mounting machines M4 caliber 5.56 mm, but it is scheduled to be upgraded for machine guns M240B 7.62 mm and the M249 5.56 mm. When it is planned to complete testing of a “third hand”, is still unknown.

Meanwhile, the Research laboratory of the US Army is developing the exoskeleton of the upper limb, which should stabilize the hands of the shooter to increase accuracy of fire. The device is called MAXFAS (Mobile Arm is made for Firearm Aim Stabilization, mobile hand exoskeleton for stabilization of small arms).

The prototype device is a set of sensors, which are attached with Velcro to the wrists and shoulders arrow metal stand, multiple servo motors and cables. Accelerometers and gyroscopes of the device to constantly measure the vibrations of hands, pass the data to the computing system, and that with the help of ropes dampens the oscillatory motion.

The system is able to recognize unintentional and intentional movement, thereby limiting the mobility of the shooter. In 2015, were tested early prototype devices. They were attended by 15 people, marksmanship 14 of which has increased significantly thanks to the exoskeleton. In General, the average increase in accuracy through prototype MAXFAS was 27 percent.

Vasily Sychev

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