AAI LSAT (Lightweight Small Arms Technologies)

History of AAI LSAT (Light Small Arms Technology)

The Light Small Arms Technology (LSAT) program is an ongoing U.S. military program to develop the next generation of infantry small arms and their ammunition types. The program began in 2004 and has since produced a prototype light machine gun (LMG) platform for firing two different types of ammunition - one without a case and one with a polymer case.

The U.S. Army began actively testing LMGs in 2012, which led to AAI Corporation (Textron) receiving a development contract to further study these technologies.

The LSAT light machine gun is a product of this testing phase. In 2003, design work began as a potential new combat weapon. It features a traditional exterior layout with a recoil-reducing shoulder piece, a lower pistol grip and trigger assembly, and a front end with integrated Picatinny accessory rails.

The barrel protrudes a manageable distance in front of the body and is closed by a slotted brake. A folding bipod is attached to the front and the optics are mounted above the receiver.

The weapon weighs less than 10 pounds empty and has an overall length of 36 inches. Barrels are available in 16.5" and 12.5" lengths, the latter making the LSAT a more compact and manageable form, reducing overall length and operational weight.

Internally there is a gas piston system with propellant feeding and jetting. The weapon is available in caseless or caseless form for the 5.56x45mm NATO. It can fire 650 rounds per minute, has an initial velocity of 920 meters per second, and has an effective range of up to 1,000 meters.

The delivery system consists of a 100- or 150-round cartridge (shelled, telescopic, and shellless, respectively) along an all-polymer-bonded disintegration belt pulled from a soft ammo pouch.

In 2018, the US Army began searching for a successor to the legendary M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) (based on the Belgian Fabrique Nationale FN "Minimi"), completing work on the LSAT LMG making it an ideal weapon candidate production (also completed and tested a 7.62 mm development). A new program was created for this requirement, replacing the LSAT program.

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