TECH

US Army tests Third Arm stabilizer to help soldiers wield big guns

The US Army is developing a “third arm” that can help soldiers hold and stabilize a heavy weapon. This third arm, as the Army calls it, was developed by mechanical engineer Dan Baechle and is currently in a prototype stage. Among other things, the third arm disperses the load caused by the heavy weapon, reducing arm fatigue and helping improve shot accuracy.
The third arm featured in the image above is a “wearable, passive stabilizing device” for soldiers, according to Baechle, who talks about the device in the video below. The prototype is designed to help take the weight off the soldier’s arms without getting in the way of going prone, moving around, and more.
The device was tested in a small pilot study by active-duty soldiers last year, according to the US Army, which simply calls it Third Arm. According to Army researchers, the testers reported less muscle activation and arm fatigue coupled with improved marksmanship while using the device.
The prototype isn’t limited to standing, but can also be used to rapidly increase aim accuracy when dropping to a prone position from running. Such a demonstration was recently made by a solider at the Army’s Military Operations in Urban Terrain site at APG, where stabilization from the prototype helped immediately increase marksmanship.
Testing so far has also included the M240B and M249 machine guns, the first of which weighs a hefty 27lbs. The Third Arm prototype, in comparison, only weighs 4lbs, making it a light burden that ultimately helps soldiers deal with heavy loads.

Brittany Roston