WHY USE THE WFD
Without
Without
Without
- Decreased operational effectiveness and ability to engage the enemy
- Operators become ineffective if control is momentarily lost and weapon sinks
- Expending excess energy handling weapon leaves the operator fatigued, with the mission still to accomplish
With
Without
Without
- The WFD allows the operator to conserve valuable energy while swimming
- Allows for freedom of movement
- Ability to easily adjust equipment when necessary
- Maintain combat effectiveness and increase the odds of mission success
Without
Without
Without
- Fatigue while in the water can be fatal
- Increases the operator’s vulnerability
- Various portage techniques are taught
- All are physically taxing
- Shorter swim/operational range
WIth
Without
Without
- Transporting weapon over long distances is no longer as physically taxing
- Reduces the risk of drowning due to the weight of a heavy weapon
- Reduced weight simplifies portage
- Increases swim/operational range
Without
Without
Without
- An unbuoyed weapon in the water is dead weight
- Current techniques often require ditching of weapons in emergencies to stay afloat
- Falling overboard
- Escaping a downed aircraft
- Amphibious vehicle mishaps
- Surf passage
With
Without
Without
- The WFD unburdens the user from the dead weight of a weapon
- No longer necessary to discard weapon to stay afloat
- Quicker recovery from emergency situations
- Retain ability to provide security
Without
Without
Without
- Improvised/impoverished weapon buoyancy solutions are generally neither adequate, durable, nor safe
- Dealing with consequences of haphazardly constructed buoyancy devices severely hinders the operator’s efficiency and can impinge operation of weapon if dislodged or mounted incorrectly
- Examples of currently used methods:
- Foam PT pad – inadequate flotation
- Empty plastic bottles
- Non-durable, can fill with water
- Packing Styrofoam
- Non-durable, fragile
- Old life vests
- Awkward can hinder weapons operation
- Air Bladders/waterproof bags
- Not inherently buoyant
- Can be easily ruptured or melted
- Unbalanced/unpredictable
- Require maintenance
With
Without
Without
- Standardized, ready-made/off the shelf solution
- Durable, lightweight, closed-cell foam provides inherent flotation even if damaged
- Self-extinguishing fire retardant
- Still buoyant when punctured or broken
- Convenient and easy to install on or remove from standard picatinny rails and stock posts
- Floats fully loaded weapon systems
- Does not interfere with a weapon’s operation
- Can remain on a weapon for the duration of a mission
- Can be separated, stowed in a rucksack, or discarded
- No maintenance required