US Army/Dan Lafontaine Despite the disruptions of 2020, Army modernization officials have been testing new, longer-range and more precise infantry weapon systems. They've also announced efforts that could lead to future machine guns, precision grenade launchers and possibly even hand-held directed energy weapons. Here are a few of the weapons systems that soldiers could soon be wearing and carrying. Despite all the disruptions of 2020, Army modernization officials have tested new, longer-range and more precise infantry weapon systems. They also announced efforts that could lead to future machine guns, precision grenade launchers and possibly even hand-held directed energy weapons. Soldier lethality is a key Army modernization priority, one that has gained momentum since the service unveiled a strategy in 2017 to equip combat units with a new generation of air and ground combat systems.