Let's Rock: The Army's 'Third Arm' Device Looks Straight Out of 'Aliens'

army third arm device testing — Army Research Lab engineer Dan Baechle demonstrates how to strap on the “Third Arm,” a mechanical device designed to improve Soldiers’ accuracy and reduce fatigue.

army third arm device shield — The “Third Arm” project is being developed not only for weapons but for defensive purposes. Army researchers at Aberdeen Proving Ground created a special mount to attach the apparatus to a shield and also provide stability and balance.

army third arm device aliens — Vasquez (left) and Drake (right) wielding the M56A2 smart gun.

The U.S. Army is testing a mechanical “third arm” device designed to boost soldiers’ accuracy and mitigate fatigue.

Looking straight out of the classic 1986 film “Aliens,” the “third arm” attaches to the back hip. This shifts some of the weight burden in soldiers’ arms and shoulders to the abdomen. That’s important because soldiers will likely be asked to carry heavier weapons in coming battles.

Third Arm Prototype

The “third arm” project, developed by the Army Research Lab, was unveiled last year and is scheduled to be tested by 15 soldiers this spring.

“Right now we have a prototype that’s essentially a research platform that we’re using to investigate different types of materials — how materials and structures can stabilize a weapon or a shield, reduce fatigue on the Soldiers’ arms, but also improve accuracy,” said Army Research Lab mechanical engineer Dan Baechle.

The Army is on its second prototype. The current prototype is 3.5 pounds and is capable of supporting the M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon), which weighs around 27 pounds. In addition to stabilizing weapons, the “third arm” can also serve a defensive purpose; it’s capable of carrying a 20-pound shield. Army Research Lab engineers made a custom mount that connects the arm to the shield. Consequently, this alleviates soldiers’ muscle fatigue.

Development

ARL began concept development on the “third arm” in late 2015. Engineers started building the first prototypes in 2016. Six soldiers participated in a pilot study last summer.

“We started out with just trying to think of a way to help improve the lethality for the dismounted Soldier,” Baechle said. “Generally that means stabilizing the weapon or giving the Soldier a more powerful weapon. Can we stabilize that weapon to improve accuracy? But also if we’re stabilizing the weapon and taking the load off of the Soldiers’ arms, does that improve the Soldier’s readiness? Does it also improve the Soldier’s accuracy with the weapon?”

ARL says it’ll continue to make improvements and adjustments to the device based on soldier feedback. In the meantime, we’ll have to make due with watching clips of the “third arm”-like M56A2 Smart Gun wielded by the Colonial Marines in “Aliens.”