By Cpl Damian Shovell
THE Army's Five-Year Minor Capitol Equipment Program (FYMCEP) is working to provide soldiers with the best available equipment and capabilities to meet their needs.

Lt-Col David Johnson, Directorate of Logistics-Army, said that with more than 100 individual projects and an annual budget of about $70 million, the FYMCEP is more than "minor" in its role of meeting the Army's equipment needs.

"Projects vary in cost from less than $100,000 to $20 million and range in complexity from undershirts to tactical engagement simulation systems," he said.

"Some projects span two or more years and are developmental in nature, yet the majority of projects are capability enhancement, seeking off-the-shelf commercial or military equipment solutions."

• The process for submitting and approving applications for equipment is detailed in DI (A) Log 25-1.

Past projects:

• Sniping equipment - night observation devices (NINOX), spotting scopes, 7.62mm rifles and 12.7mm rifles (plus day-optics and ammunition).
• 1250kg light trailers.
• Light engineer tractors.
• Hand-held rangefinders.
• Projected grenade systems (40mm).
• Soldier protective and load carrying equipment.
• Watercraft, including outboard motors, zodiacs and commando operational watercraft.

Future projects:

• Medium graders and bulldozers.
• An underwater helicopter escape trainer.
• Blackhawk NVG heads-up display.
• Combat jackets and undershirts.
• An artillery orientation system.
• Combat boots version four.
• New wet weather ensemble.

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