ARMED FORCES: Foxhole Progress

In the age of jets, nuclear submarines, atomic bombs, missiles and electronic computers, science and military planners have been painfully slow coming to the rescue of the foot soldier. But last fortnight the Continental Army Command at Fort Monroe, Va. displayed an arsenal of new gear designed to give the well-armed G.I. more mobility, independence of action and firepower in the next war. Items:

¶ Explosive foxhole digger, a 5-lb. gadget that blasts a hole in the ground that is 3½ ft. deep, 3 ft. wide.

¶ Armored vest protects against small, low-velocity fragments, is lighter than Korean war armor, better designed for protection at vital throat areas.

¶ Infra-red binoculars for night viewing; infra-red filters for vehicle headlights.

¶ Infra-red weapons sight kit, which can be attached to any small arms as well as to recoilless rifles and rocket launchers.

¶ Silent-sentry radar set, resembling old-style box camera on a tripod, picks up movement within 800 yds. under any conditions.

¶ Mobile radar, mounted on two two-wheel trailers can instantly pinpoint hidden enemy mortars more than six miles distant (mortar fire accounted for more than half the Army’s World War II and Korean war casualties).

¶ One-shot flamethrower made of aluminum, weighing 27 lbs. (v. conventional 72 lbs.), carries two gallons of fuel, is discarded after use, later is picked up for refitting.

¶ Ultrafast-opening parachute for low-altitude (100 ft.) jumps, is activated by two explosive charges, opens in 8/10 sec., stabilizes in 13 ft.; quick-release parachute harness enables chutist to flip free in high ground winds and rough terrain.

¶ M-14 rifle replacing the familiar Garand M-1 (adopted in 1936), weighs a pound less (8.7 Ibs.), has a 20-round magazine (v. 8 rounds), fires 7.62-mm. NATO ammunition, which is smaller and lighter than the old .30-cal. ammo. Gone: the bayonet. Interchange of barrels makes the M-15, automatic version of the M-14, almost 7 Ibs. lighter than the Browning Automatic Rifle.

¶ M-60 machine gun also fires 7.62-mm. ammo, replaces light and heavy -30-cal. machine guns of World War I vintage. The first true infantry assault gun of its kind, it can be fired from bipod, tripod, hip or shoulder, weighs 23 Ibs. (v. 30-40 Ibs.), is designed for quick replacement of barrel.

¶ Irradiated food, treated to kill any germ-producing material in most perishable foods, can be kept in a simple plastic bag, be preserved almost indefinitely without refrigeration; small air-insulated canteens that can keep food hot for 24 hours in subzero weather.