INTRODUCTION
Study Goal and Objectives
Since the 19th century, the functional design of small arms has remained
relatively stable with incremental improvements in metallurgy, ammunition, and
manufacturing technologies. Major research and development initiatives are now
underway which will revolutionize conventional military small arms early in the
next century in terms of capability, safety, and additional functions. In
addition, newly emerging non-lethal technologies may supplant conventional small
arms in certain applications. As the U.S. Army "digitizes" their
systems and weapons for future battlefields, this will include the enhancement
of the traditional capabilities of military small arms with digital
capabilities.
The study goal of this comprehensive BCC industry analysis is to provide an
overview of these changes, their predicted impact on the market and the
industry, and provides historical data as well as 5-year forecasts (through
2004) for market sizes and changes.
The objective of this market research study is to review and assess military
small arms technologies and markets in the context of today's conventional
products and technologies, and those emerging technologies which will result in
the next generation of military small arms and technologies over the next five
years.
Reasons for Doing the Study
There are a number of reasons for doing this study. The first is that the
military small arms industry in the U.S. is undergoing the most dramatic
transition in its history. In the wake of the conclusion of the Cold War, a rash
of mergers and acquisitions has occurred in the defense industry, and this trend
has affected the military small arms sector. In addition, two research and
development efforts led by the Joint Services Small Arms Program (JSSAP) - the
leading edge small arms weapon technology developer for the military services -
will dramatically affect military small arms early in this century. These
programs, the Objective Crew Served Weapon (OCSW), and the Objective Individual
Combat Weapon (OICW), have the goals of significantly enhancing the lethality,
survivability, and sustainability of these weapons. The current plan is for
these two weapons to replace entire families of existing small arms in use by
the American military.
Contributions of the Study and for Whom
This report provides an analysis of the new technology market for military
small arms, including less than lethal weapons. Military research and
development into the next generation of small arms, and less than lethal weapons
promises to create a new family of military, and law enforcement devices.
This report provides technology use and application through the year 2004 as
well as the structure of the industry, company profiles of major players, and
will benefit decision-makers in a number of areas. These are:
- Military small arms manufacturers;
- Ammunition manufacturers;
- Research and development companies;
- Defense contractors
Scope and Format
This report is an analytical business tool the primary purpose of which is to
cover the market for military small arms, and new technologies such as those
being developed for the OICW and OCSW. This report will review the application
and end-use markets as well as the technology, development of the market, and
analyses of current and future market trends.
A number of current research and development programs - both by industry, and
by the military with their drive to develop more capable military small arms,
and less than lethal weapons - will lead to the commercialization of new
technologies, and the re-arming of major military forces around the world.
The final segments of this report address the industry's structure, and
provide an analysis of the technology currently under development and in the
market.
Methodology
The material presented in this study is based on information gathered from
personal contacts with government and industrial participants in the respective
areas of research, development, and manufacture of these products as well as a
thorough review of the technology gathered from various government and industry
sources. In addition, the author of this report was a member of the corporate
team, which successfully won the competition for the next phase of the OICW
program.
Additional data was obtained from extensive review of secondary sources such
as trade publications, trade associations, company literature, and on-line
databases. All dollar projections presented in this report are in 1999 constant
dollars.
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