Pilot program to test and evaluate muzzle blast overpressure mitigation devices

(a) Program required The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall carry out a pilot program to evaluate, test, and implement muzzle blast overpressure mitigation devices for small and medium caliber weapons in relevant training and operational environments. (b) Activities Under the pilot program, the Secretary of Defense shall— (1) assess the effectiveness of commercially available and emerging muzzle blast overpressure mitigation devices in reducing blast exposure to operators and nearby personnel; (2) evaluate the operational suitability, durability, and performance effects of such devices across representative weapon systems and mission sets; and (3) collect information to inform future Department of Defense policies, requirements, procurement decisions, and force-wide implementation strategies relating to blast overpressure mitigation.

(a) Program required The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall carry out a pilot program to evaluate, test, and implement muzzle blast overpressure mitigation devices for small and medium caliber weapons in relevant training and operational environments. (b) Activities Under the pilot program, the Secretary of Defense shall— (1) assess the effectiveness of commercially available and emerging muzzle blast overpressure mitigation devices in reducing blast exposure to operators and nearby personnel; (2) evaluate the operational suitability, durability, and performance effects of such devices across representative weapon systems and mission sets; and (3) collect information to inform future Department of Defense policies, requirements, procurement decisions, and force-wide implementation strategies relating to blast overpressure mitigation.