# Infantry Support Weapons — Program Element 0604601A

**Program element:** 0604601A  
**Component:** U.S. Army  
**Appropriation:** 2040 — RDT&E, Army  
**Budget Activity:** 5 — System Development & Demonstration  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604601A

## Summary

U.S. Army funding falls 29% to a $55.3M request in FY2027, sustained across the five-year plan. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House added 16% (to $64.3M); the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators added 27% (to $70.3M). Vortex Optics leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 55.2 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 77.7 |
| FY2027 | Request | 55.3 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 117.4 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 108.5 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 102.5 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 103.9 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 55.3 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 64.3 | +9.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 55.3 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 70.3 | +15.0 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (11)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CF3 | Integrated Soldier Systems (SL CFT) | 4.2 | 17.8 | 9.0 | −50% |
| S60 | Clothing & Equipment | 6.0 | 7.8 | 8.7 | +11% |
| VS5 | Soldier Protective Equipment | 8.2 | 7.2 | 7.3 | +2% |
| S58 | Soldier Enhancement Program | 9.9 | 9.8 | 5.0 | −49% |
| FM4 | Next Generation Squad Weapons | 10.4 | 6.1 | 4.9 | −19% |
| FF2 | Small Arms Fire Control | 3.2 | 7.2 | 4.8 | −34% |
| ES9 | Advanced Tactical Parachute System | 3.5 | 3.2 | 4.3 | +34% |
| EW4 | Crew Served Weapons Engineering Development | 3.6 | 13.7 | 3.8 | −72% |
| S61 | Acis Engineering Development | 2.9 | 3.4 | 3.3 | −3% |
| DO4 | Arctic Mobility Sustainment System (AMSS) | — | — | 2.9 | new start |
| S63 | Individual Weapons Engineering Development | 3.3 | 1.5 | 1.4 | −6% |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project CF3 — Integrated Soldier Systems (SL CFT)

The Adaptive Squad Architecture (ASA) and the Soldier Integration Facility (SIF) are PAE Maneuver Ground led efforts to support the Close Combat Integration Enterprise (CCIE). These efforts support maturing and evaluating technologies for Squad as a System (SaaS). The focus is a system of systems approach that includes updating Formations Based Architecture, evaluation of interoperability of systems on the soldier and squad and updating the Architecture Assessment Tool (AAT). Maturing digital models, algorithms, integrating with virtual, constructive and live outdoor evaluation and digital tools across the Army, other Services, and Allies allows the PAE Ground Maneuver to act as the Leading Systems Integrator for SaaS. Funding for this project aligns with the Army's Digital Engineering and Digital Transformation Strategy and is a PAE Maneuver Ground and CCIE priority. FY27 funding directly supports IBCT formation based architectures that connect Soldier Borne Mission Command, Nett Warrior, and Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) with other sensors and robotics to provide 3rd party extensibility on the battlefield. Funding also supports common control/controller architecture development between Nett Warrior and robotics being employed during Human-Machine Integration - Formations (HMI-F) Inc 1, and a dismounted Soldier C2 architecture that is integrated with Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) and Uncrewed Vehicle Control (UVC).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated Soldier/Squad as a System | 1.7 | 4.4 | 3.6 |
| SIF Evaluations | 2.5 | 6.3 | 5.4 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project S60 — Clothing & Equipment

Funding in this effort supports engineering and manufacturing development tasks related to clothing and individual equipment with the goal of enhancing the lethality, survivability, and mobility as well as the quality of life of the Warfighter. It funds operational testing of preproduction and prototypes leveraging technological advancements focusing on materials, fabrication techniques, moisture management, flame resistance, vector protection, extreme environmental protection, and camouflage. This effort also funds evaluations of Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment (OCIE) appropriate for use in extreme or multi-climate environments. Funding supports test and evaluation of integrated clothing and equipment systems for the Airborne, Arctic, Arid, Jungle, and Temperate Soldier. This effort will further develop capabilities transitioning from Project S53 to increase performance and safety of Warfighter clothing and equipment. This funding supports evaluation of commercial off the shelf items for integration into Soldier clothing and kit. PdM Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment will continue to support multi-service commonality and modernization initiatives through technology that enables combat operations and enhances survivability and lethality.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** PM SCIE (0.9, 11%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soldier Uniforms and Clothing | 3.9 | 4.5 | 4.7 |
| Individual Equipment | 2.1 | 3.4 | 4.1 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project VS5 — Soldier Protective Equipment

Funding directly supports the research and development of critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), with the primary objective of improving Soldier survivability, mobility, and lethality. Project funding supports Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) to include design integration and manufacturing of production representative articles, formal developmental testing / operational testing (DT/OT), Soldier Touch Points (STP), and continued development of Soldier Protection System (SPS) technologies transitioning from project VS4. Funding leverages advancements in technology to continue improvements to the Army's PPE portfolio to include hard and soft body armor components such as Vital Torso Protection (VTP) and Torso and Extremity Protection (TEP), Next Generation (NG) Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS), Military Protective Eyewear systems, hearing protection, and other personal protective equipment. This project will continue to support cross-service initiatives to increase commonality.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soldier Protective Equipment | 8.2 | 7.2 | 7.3 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project S58 — Soldier Enhancement Program

The Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP) was established by the National Defense Authorization Act in Fiscal Year 1990 to provide a rapid approach to evaluate Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), Government off-the shelf (GOTS), or Non-Developmental Items (NDI) capabilities to increase the combat effectiveness of the Soldier. SEP uses a "buy, try and decide" methodology. SEP provides significant savings and acceleration in the evaluation of leading-edge Soldier capabilities in order to provide combat overmatch. The SEP governance consists of a SEP Advisory Council (SEPAC) and the Army's Senior Enlisted Council (SEC). Soldiers and industry can submit proposals at any time. Proposals are reviewed monthly and new projects are approved semi-annually by the SEC. Once validated, SEP initiatives are procured and then evaluated by Soldiers for feasibility and suitability. Based on the evaluation findings, the SEP provides one or more of the following courses of action: (1) inform deliberate or urgent/emerging requirements generation, (2) initiate a new Program of Record (POR) or improve an existing POR, (3) provide a national stock number (NSN) for unit procurement or (4) the item did not meet objectives and no further action is necessary. The funding supports SEP evaluation preparation, conducting evaluations, and documenting results.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** PAE Ground Maneuver (0.5, 10.0%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program oversight | — | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| SEP Evaluations | 4.8 | 9.4 | 4.5 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project FM4 — Next Generation Squad Weapons

The Next Generation Squad Weapons (NGSW) program continues development and improvement of the M7/XM8 and M250 weapon systems, along with a family of common 6.8mm ammunition, in order to maintain overmatch and meet future force warfighter needs. The M7 Rifle and XM8 Carbine are the planned replacement for the M4A1 Carbine in the close combat force and select support units. The M7 Rifle and XM8 Carbine will provide capability improvements in accuracy, range, and lethality. The M250 Automatic Rifle is the planned replacement for the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) in the close combat force and select support units. The M250 Automatic Rifle will provide capability improvements in accuracy, range, and lethality. The M7 Rifle, XM8 Carbine and M250 Automatic Rifle use a family of 6.8mm cartridges in a variety of ammunition types, including but not limited to general purpose (GP), special purpose (SP), reduced range, and blank. Development efforts for additional NGSW variants may follow to replace other legacy systems or provide additional enhanced capabilities.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** SIG Sauer (1.8, 38%), PM Soldier Lethality (PMSL) (0.5, 11%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contractor Design and Improvements | 2.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Engineering Support | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| Test and Evaluation | 6.3 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
| Program Management | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project FF2 — Small Arms Fire Control

Advanced fire control devices support current and advanced small arms by increasing the probability of hit and decreasing the time to engage through combining variable powered direct view optics with range finders, ballistic calculators, and digital displays capable of providing an adjusted aim point. Advanced fire control devices will utilize open architecture along with modular interfaces that will deliver the initial increased core capability followed by increasing increments of capability/enhancements over time as technology matures and evolves. Supports development and test of weapon mounted optics, lasers, sensors, and other enablers to increase lethality of dismounted weapon systems.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** Vortex Optics (2.1, 44%), Project Manager Soldier Lethality (PMSL) (0.3, 5.4%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design, Develop and Fabricate | 1.4 | 2.9 | 2.1 |
| Engineering Support | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.7 |
| Test and Evaluation | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.7 |
| Program Management | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project ES9 — Advanced Tactical Parachute System

Funding in this project supports the Advanced Tactical Parachute System development. Advanced Tactical Parachute System funding improves Low-Altitude and High-Altitude personnel parachutes and associated equipment to include test and evaluation of items transitioning from Advanced Component Development and Budget Activity 4 efforts, with the goal of enhancing the insertion capability and safety of the airborne Soldier and increasing the performance, reliability, and durability of personnel airdrop equipment. Funding also supports improvements and testing/evaluation of personnel parachute systems including integration and interface with the Soldier system. This project will continue to support cross-service initiatives to improve commonality.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Tactical Parachute System | 3.5 | 3.2 | 4.3 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project EW4 — Crew Served Weapons Engineering Development

The Crew Served Weapons Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) program provides funds to transition components or prototypes from Budget Activity 4 (BA 4) Program Element (PE) 0603827A Soldier Systems - Advanced Development Project S54 Small Arms Improvement and other domestic and foreign sources of small arms weapon systems to demonstrate, test and evaluate capability near or at planned operational requirements. Crew Served Weapons systems include small and medium caliber weapons ranging up to 40 millimeter and remote weapon stations. Current and future efforts focus on system improvements designed to enhance lethality, target acquisition, fire control, usability, training effectiveness and reliability of weapons to include ammunition Counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) when developing and/or evaluating standard, non-standard weapons and remote weapon station enhancements. Focus areas include system development, integration (to include human-systems), demonstration, test and evaluate components, prototypes and operational system prototypes of small arms weapon systems and/or enhancements. Benefits include continuous improvements to small arms weapon systems, fire control equipment, combat optics, gun barrels, ancillary equipment, training devices, component mounts, weapon mounts, and weapon/ammunition interface of current small arms fleet or new weapon systems.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** PM Soldier Weapons (0.2, 4.7%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Development | 1.4 | 2.7 | 1.7 |
| Test and Evaluation | 2.1 | 1.0 | 2.1 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project S61 — Acis Engineering Development

This project conducts development, integration, qualification, and upgrade activities in support of the Air Soldier System (Air SS) and Aviation operational needs as codified in the Air SS requirements document, which provides aviators with improved lethality, safety, and Situational Awareness (SA). The Air SS program addresses capability gaps identified in combat operations, as well as emerging challenges, such as Transformation in Contact (TiC), Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2), United States Southern Border, and Domestic Disaster Relief and First Responder missions to Army aircrew's safety and performance caused by limited Situational Awareness (SA), lack of protection from emerging threats, and diminishing functionally of integrated mission electronics and protective/ survival equipment. Air SS delivers enhanced aircrew survivability, Situational Awareness (SA), interoperability, improved mission performance and lethality. The Air SS offers enhanced mission planning and execution through the introduction of upgraded hardware and software components, enabling improved connectivity among aircrew members, other aircraft, and ground assets such as Tactical Assault Kit (TAK). Capabilities further enhance terrain mapping, threat, and obstacle avoidance information through improved technologies, which also align with platform needs such as Launched Effects (LE), Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), Black Hawk, Chinook, and Apache. Additionally, Air SS includes a digital replacement for paper-based Department of War (DoW) Flight Information Publications . These enhanced capabilities support both the enduring fleet and future fleet.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Soldier System | 2.9 | 3.4 | 3.3 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project DO4 — Arctic Mobility Sustainment System (AMSS)

The Arctic Mobility Sustainment System (AMSS) is a complete dismounted over the snow mobility solution providing the Warfighter necessary equipment to maneuver and survive in Arctic and/or Extreme Cold Weather Environments. AMSS consists of a transport sled, shelter, heater, and Basic Issue Items. The system is available in Squad and Team configurations. The AMSS enables Solider survivability in extreme cold weather, providing load carriage, billeting, and heat for 72 hours without resupply. Funding supports integrating the Arctic Heater, Arctic Shelter, Arctic Transport Sled, and other end items into an AMSS kit and fields in accordance with the established basis of issue. FY27 funding is a new start and conducts Operational Test (OT) and evaluation for Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) prove out design for a standard configuration.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arctic Mobility Sustainment System (AMSS) | — | — | 2.9 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project S63 — Individual Weapons Engineering Development

The Individual Weapons Engineering Development program provides funds to transition components or prototypes from Budget Activity 4 (BA 4) Program Element (PE) 0603827A Soldier Systems - Advanced Development Project S54 Small Arms Improvement Program, and other domestic and foreign sources of small arms weapon systems, to demonstrate, test, and evaluate capability near or at planned operational requirements. The Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) and Cross Functional Team (User Community) identifies the Individual Weapons Engineering Development activities as critical to addressing or closing capability gaps for our Soldiers in combat. Small arms systems include weapons ranging up to 40 millimeter (mm) in caliber. Current and future efforts focus on system development, system improvements, and integration (to include human-systems) to enhance lethality, target acquisition and tracking, fire control, usability, training effectiveness, and reliability. System improvements include ammunition when developing and/or evaluating standard and non-standard weapons. In addition to training, system integration of ammunition includes the capability to defeat personnel in defilade, personnel in close quarters, and unmanned aerial systems. Benefits include continuous improvements to small arms weapon systems, fire control equipment, optics, gun barrels, ancillary equipment, training devices, component mounts, weapon mounts, and weapon/ammunition interfaces of current or new small arms weapon systems.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** PM Soldier Lethality (0.1, 4.3%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Development | 2.6 | 1.4 | 1.1 |
| Testing and Evaluation | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.3 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 12% | 6.4 |
| Government labs & warfare centers | 27% | 14.7 |
| Other / unspecified | 62% | 34.2 |

**Top named industry performers:** Vortex Optics ($2.1M, 3.8%), SIG Sauer ($1.8M, 3.3%).

> R-3 exhibit contract funding, not USAspending obligations.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

This Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) PE manages the Soldier as a system, with the goal of increasing Soldiers' combat effectiveness, increasing survivability, and improving the Soldiers' quality of life. It develops and tests prototypes of weapons, clothing, equipment, and other items useful to support the Soldier. Project CF3 (Integrated Soldier Systems (SL CFT)) test, maintain and evolve a Soldier/squad equipment configuration baseline, the Architecture Assessment Tool and conduct configuration management at the system level.

PEO Soldier will utilize available Adaptive Squad Architecture (ASA) and tools plus exercise the SIF with Team level and Squad level experimentation to assess system-of-systems capabilities for evaluation and integration, using current Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contracts, Federally Funded Research and Development Center personnel (FFRDCs) as necessary, plus tools/deliverables built under project CF2. The ASA/SIF will develop a metric-based approach that will include virtual, constructive and live evaluations and tools across the Department of War (DoW), academia and industry which will be used for senior leaders to make deliberate decisions based on the analysis of Soldier/Squad performance.

## Related program elements

- [0605326A — Concepts Experimentation Program](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605326A) (Army)
- [0203801A — Missile/Air Defense Product Improvement Program](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0203801A) (Army)
- [0605027D8Z — OUSD(C) IT Development Initiative](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605027D8Z) (Defense-Wide)
- [0603216N — Aviation Survivability](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603216N) (Navy)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Army RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0604601A (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0604601A")`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*