Corps Wants Silencers

Thanks to Bryan for the link!

via Military.com

In a series of experiments this year, units from 2nd Marine Division will be silencing every element of an infantry battalion -- from M4 rifles to .50 caliber machine guns.
The commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, Maj. Gen. John Love, described these plans during a speech to Marines at the Marine Corps Association Ground Dinner this month near Washington, D.C.
The proof-of-concept tests, he said, included Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, which began an Integrated Training Exercise pre-deployment last month at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.
"What we've found so far is it revolutionizes the way we fight," Love told Military.com. "It used to be a squad would be dispersed out over maybe 100 yards, so the squad leader couldn't really communicate with the members at the far end because of all the noise of the weapons. Now they can actually just communicate, and be able to command and control and effectively direct those fires."

Do you know how long they've talked about this in the infantry community?  Its gotta be at least 20 years.  The reason why it hasn't been pursued earlier is funding.

I really hope this happens but I have to wonder...are they doing this because of the Company Landing Team and Expeditionary Rifle Squad concepts?  For units that small to survive they're gonna need serious, almost Special Forces A-Team like noise discipline.  I hate to play doubting Thomas but are they testing it at the Battalion level with an eye toward the CLT/ERS?