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CAPT JT Elder, USN Commanding Officer NSWC Crane Dr. Brett Seidle Technical Director NSWC Crane. Adjustable Ergonomic Rifle Grip Presented By: Jason M. Davis CRANE-200004. Tale of Two Rifles. M16 rifle introduced: 1963 barrel length: 20” fixed stock
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CAPT JT Elder, USN Commanding Officer NSWC Crane Dr. Brett Seidle Technical Director NSWC Crane Adjustable Ergonomic Rifle Grip Presented By: Jason M. Davis CRANE-200004
Tale of Two Rifles M16 rifle • introduced: 1963 • barrel length: 20” • fixed stock • no built-in mounting surfaces 4.25” 5.5” M4A1 Carbine rifle • introduced: 1994 • barrel length: 14.5” • adjustable stock • rail system for mounting electro-optics
Why the M4A1 Carbine? • Lessons from Operation Desert Storm (1991) • Jungle warfare to urban warfare (Close Quarter Battle) • Vehicle ingress/egress • Body armor • Weight Tradeoff • Effective range • Unintended consequences
Vietnam-era Shooting Stance elbow up & out wrist straight side forward facing
Current Shooting Stance wrist bent chest forward facing elbow down & tucked
Shooting Stance Look Familiar? • New shooting stance more “natural” • Coverage of body armor best in front and back • Stance better accommodates shorter weapon • Weapon transitions made easier
Need • Address the unintended consequence of a bent wrist during firing • Why? • Poor ergonomics • Can lead to vibration-induced musculoskeletal injury • Market included military, law enforcement, and gun enthusiasts
The Technology MilTech Prototype
The Technology (positions every 4) Rearward Most Position MilTech Prototype Foreward Most Position
Competition • Advantages • Provides two additional grip angles over standard grip • Simple two-piece design • Disadvantages • To adjust angle, requires user to loosen pistol grip screw • Creates potential to lose safety selector spring and detent • Pistol grip screw responsible for mating two pieces of grip together • Wear at interface a concern
If spring or detent is lost, weapon becomes un-operational! Spring Detent • Three bad things… • Not having a weapon • Not having a working weapon • Running out of ammunition
Legal Landscape & Next Steps • Notice of Allowance received from USPTO on January 20th • Looking for an industry partner • Obtain user feedback with current prototype • Make design changes based on feedback • Conduct early user assessment
Contact Information Jason M. Davis Project Principal Investigator NSWC Crane 300 Hwy 361 Code JXNR, B-3422 Crane, IN 47522 (812) 854-6855 jason.m.davis3@navy.mil Brooke Pyne NSWC Crane ORTA Technology Transfer (T2)/SIBR Program Manager NSWC Crane 300 Hwy 361 Crane, IN 47522 (812) 854-4823 elizabeth.b.pyne@navy.mil