The Army is moving forward with its efforts to improve individual soldier weapons and equipment, a panel of experts said Oct. 15 at the Association of the U.S. Army.

Speaking at a Warriors Corner event, Brig. Gen. David Hodne, director of the Soldier Lethality Cross-Functional Team, highlighted the progress made since last year’s Annual Meeting.

“In fact, there were some aspects of last year’s AUSA where some would say that what we were pursuing was unachievable,” he said. “And I would tell you, those possibilities are on the [exhibit] floor here today.”

Summarizing some of the projects underway, like the Next-Generation Squad Weapon, he added, “It’s not just about the weapon. It’s about the soldier, it’s about the weapon, it’s about the enabler on the weapon, it’s about the ammunition used. It’s about the training that soldier has. So, it’s much more complex.”

Hodne emphasized three keys to success: extensive teamwork between organizations across the Army; pace of delivery; and common-sense innovation.

“Among the things I’m particularly proud of, having been in infantry units for 28 years, is what we’re doing and the speed at which we are doing it to deliver capability to the soldier,” he said. “As the secretary of the Army mentioned yesterday in his opening comments, by the Army of 2028, the Soldier Lethality CFT capabilities we are pursuing right now will be very much part of that Army.”

- Scott Gourley for AUSA