his Italian soldier is armed with a well camouflaged ARX160 during mountain operations in the Alps. After rigorous testing in extreme conditions, the new Beretta has proven that it can operate reliably in any environment across the globe.
ince the turn of the Century, many of the world’s armies, especially members of the NATO Alliance, have initiated programs to enhance the effectiveness of their combat soldiers. The focus of all of these programs is the fusion of technology in the fields of sensors, communications, and infantry weapons. When melded, these different technologies make the soldier more aware of the battlefield situation and more lethal at the same time. These technologies also allow individual soldiers to be part of a network across the full spectrum of combat, and interact more efficiently with assets such as armored forces, artillery fire support, close air support, and combat medical assistance, and allow the information to be integrated at all levels of the chain of command.
Italy launched such a program in 2001 known as Progetto Soldato Futuro or Project Future Soldier. A remarkable fact about this futuristic program is that the world’s oldest continuous firearms manufacturer, Beretta, is responsible for the development and production of the system’s rifle and grenade launcher. These two weapons, the Beretta ARX160 automatic rifle and the GLX160 grenade launcher, were engineered to be the most ergonomic, ambidextrous, lightweight, accurate, adaptable, and reliable infantry combat weapons in the world.
The Beretta ARX160 Rifle with the GLX160 Grenade Launcher mounted. Photo Courtesy Beretta.
In order to maximize the effectiveness of both weapons, they will be integrated with the latest in electro-optical sensor and fire-control systems developed by the Italian company SELEX Galileo. These systems include the ASPIS Day/Night Miniaturized Combat Weapon Sight for the ARX160, and the SCORPIO Grenade Launcher Fire Control System for the GLX160. Both of the Beretta-produced weapons and the SELEX Galileo-produced electro-optical fire control systems will be integrated with a host of other equipment made by different contractors. These sub-systems will include such gear as a body-carried personal computer, individual radio, GPS, body armor, camouflage ensemble, and protective clothing for various threat environments.
The SELEX Galileo ASPIS Combat Weapon System allows soldiers to aim the ARX160 using a helmet-mounted display so that soldiers will be able to engage targets around corners or from positions of cover while minimizing their exposure to enemy fire.
As Italy’s leading firearms manufacturer, Beretta is no stranger to military small arms. The succession of modern battle rifles began with the U.S.-designed M1 Garand, which Beretta produced under license for the Italian military as well as for export. Following the NATO adoption of the 7.62×51mm cartridge, Beretta developed the select fire, magazine fed BM59 (Beretta Model 1959) from the Garand action. In the 1970s Beretta introduced the AR70, in 5.56×45mm caliber, which saw limited service with Italian special operations forces. In 1984 the Italian Government announced a competition to select a new 5.56mm service rifle. Beretta entered their AR70/90 rifle, which was a highly refined and improved variant of the AR70 design. The Beretta AR70/90 won the competition and has served the Italian forces well since 1990.
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