Are Insects the Future of Military Technology?

Our world is constantly changing, and so is the nature of combat. Neutralizing threats and asserting military dominance in unpredictable situations requires cutting-edge technologies and weaponries that overcome the limitations of traditional firearms. That’s why the U.S. military is constantly developing and testing experimental weapons for Special Forces teams to use. Alaskan soldiers recently fired two new guns — a rifle and automatic rifle — developed as part of the Next Generation Squad Weapons program. The XM7 rifle and XM250 automatic rifle are both chambered in 6.8mm for a more powerful hit, and these guns can even operate in sub-zero temperatures. These replace the M4 carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. (Check out every standard issue U.S. military rifle since America’s founding.)

With over $1 trillion attributed to weapons development annually, the U.S. military continues identifying new ways to improve our weapons arsenal. Many of these burgeoning weapons are ones you’ve never heard of — but that’s for a reason. Research into technologically advanced military weapons is often classified and happens behind closed doors. The public usually learns about these weapons once they’re being tested. But today, 24/7 Wall St. is going to peel back some of the secretiveness and introduce you to ten smaller-sized military technologies evaluated for the U.S. Special Forces. Many of these weapons have already been seen in action, but are still being developed and improved. Others have come and gone, but the U.S. military could continue work in the future. To complete this list, we looked into the Next Generation Squad Weapons program and its output, as well as performed research on past and future weapons in this sphere. The weapons are listed in no particular order.

Why We’re Covering This

The future of warfare will incorporate aspects of cyber warfare, energy-based weapons, drone technology, and more. Learning about weapon development highlights where the United States prioritizes its military spending. If you’re involved in any industries or companies developing military technology, understanding the trajectory of next-generation weapons development can also be helpful. Plus, at 24/7 Wall St., we just think this information is fascinating!

Here are 10 next-generation military weapons: 

Armatix Smart Pistol

The Armatix smart pistol is a small .22 caliber weapon that uses a paired smartwatch to control when the gun can be fired, and by whom. When the gun registers the watch’s proximity, it unlocks and allows itself to be fired. This reduces the challenges associated with finicky fingerprint or handprint reading technologies. Watch-wearers can also see how many shots were fired, as well as other helpful information.

Armatix GmbH, the developer of the first Armatix smart pistol in 2006, is a German-based weapons designer focused solely on creating smart weapons for law enforcement and the military. While this gun’s success has been slower than expected, Armatix GmbH continues to work on its smart pistol technology.

Hybrid Insect Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (HI MEMS)

When it comes to small weapons, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything smaller than this. HI MEMS technology outfits insects with small electronics and equipment, such as computer chips. This allows the insects to be controlled, transforming them useful and nearly invisible military tools. Tiny cameras and tracking systems make these insects the perfect way to follow targets without the operator being detected or putting themselves in danger.

Interestingly, the government has done extensive research and testing into HI MEMS. While you might not have heard of HI MEMS, it is certainly not a new area of expansion for the U.S. military. In fact, they have even learned that it is easier to implant the technology into a host while it is still in the larva stage to directly “grow” the electronics into the insect’s body.

XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement (CDTE)

The XM25, a new version of hand-held airburst grenade launchers, had a smaller profile than earlier models and was lighter, making it easier to carry and use while in combat. This version featured a laser rangefinder so soldiers could more effectively measure the arc and distance to hit a target. It also had a range that is four times the range of the standard grenade launcher in use today, highlighting its immense benefits.

The program for the XM25 was terminated in 2018, but the United States military retains the rights to the weapon. Development on a next-generation grenade launcher are doubtless underway.

CornerShot

The original CornerShot was developed in the early 2000s for special forces and SWAT teams. This high-quality gun accessory was specifically created to help with combating terrorists or for use in hostage situations. It allows the user to see and fire around corners without exposing themselves to enemy fire.

The CornerShot made our list because newer versions are currently in development. These newer accessories can be mounted to an M16 rifle, remotely placed, and even operated while behind cover through a wire and video connection.

Precision-Guided Firearms

Precision-guided firearms (PGFs), based on the missile-lock technology used on fighter jets, have been in development for a few years and have usually been limited to long-range rifles that use target tracking, fire control, and a heads-up display to increase range and bullet accuracy.  PGFs have increased the range of successful and reliable shots to over 1,100 meters.

Now, PGF technology is being applied to small arms as well to reduce mis-aim, shot miscalculation, and trigger jerk. Variants have even been produced that use electronically actuated bullets that can change their trajectory and follow a laser designator to their target.

Personnel Halting And Stimulation Response (PHASR) Rifle

Have you ever imagined an alien laser weapon? If so, whatever you came up with probably looks something like the PHASR rifle. The PHASR rifle is a non-lethal laser weapon that uses two, non-lethal laser wavelengths to temporarily disorient and blind whoever it is fired at.

Full-power blinding laser weapons are actually banned under a 1995 United Nations Protocol on Blinding Laser Weapons, but because the PHASR’s effects are temporary, it is not banned.

Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance (EXACTO)

EXACTO rounds are smart bullets designed by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) to be fired from specialized sniper rifles.

Early versions of the bullets would use “fire and forget” technology, fins, and stabilizers to guide the projectile to the target. However, newer versions of the technology are classified and the bullets have no visible fins or any other kind of mechanism that would distinguish them from any normal bullet. In live-fire tests, even inexperienced shooters could repeatedly hit a moving target as the bullet would adjust its trajectory mid-flight to hit what was being aimed at. Some versions of the technology have been shown to reliably hit a target over six miles away.

SCAR-SC sub-compact carbine

There is a growing movement within military branches to move beyond the 5.56mm and 7.62mm rounds used by the majority of global armed forces. As armor and technology improve, 5.56mm rounds will quickly become obsolete and too weak to do meaningful damage. Therefore, guns that use large and more powerful rounds are needed. This is where the SCAR-SC sub-compact carbine comes in.

The SCAR-SC sub-compact carbine is a new alternative to the primary weapon used specifically by special forces, and specialist forces in Belgium have already begun to test and use the weapon in trial situations. While 5.56mm is still preferred for long-range encounters, the new .300 BLK rounds used by the SCAR-SC sub-compact carbine and other newer guns are much better for close-quarters engagements like those that special forces frequently engage in.

.338 Norma Magnum Machine Gun

The .338 Norma is a replacement weapon for the M240 and M2 machine guns, currently under consideration by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. This weapon is being developed by the United States Special Operations Command.

The .338 Norma Magnum Machine Gun can reliably hit a target at a distance of 1,500 meters, almost doubling the effective range of the M240. The weapon was initially estimated to be ready for full-scale tests in early 2024, but we’re still keeping an eye out for more.

M72 Small Aerial Munition Launcher

The U.S. Army first began investing in the M72 in 2021. This weapon system can be mounted on a drone and allows for launching rockets or other anti-armor weapons from the sky. In previous tests, the M72 was attached to a BLADE unmanned drone system which created a long-range, endurance reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence, and anti-armor hybrid system.

The M72/BLADE weapon can be operated by radio up to nine miles away and can fly for 40 minutes while armed, or for 80 minutes on its own. The most impressive part? The system doesn’t need to be aimed manually in order to engage targets. The operator can simply just point at what they want the drone to attack and it will take care of the rest.

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